DRL LEDs - Wiring them correctly

[BMAN_986]

So I decided to do this job last night. All in all it took a little over 4 hours. Here's a summary and some photos of the install ...

The DRL kit. Ordered from Ebay



I need to ensure I can power them with 10w-15w fuse



Given the way I want to set this up (my original post) I needed a fused feed which is live when the ignition comes on and a feed when the main beams come on. So I decided to go straight to the fuse box. There are a few screws but this thing is pretty easy to take off and out.



After a few volt meter tests I found that the fog lights are live (without being on) with the ignition and the main beam remains live once they are switch on (regardless of high beam or fogs). From the relay diagram



Pin 30 goes to the fused side of the fogs -> Row A Fuse 7
Pin 86 goes to the fused side of the main beam -> Row A Fuse 10



Because the fogs and DRLs can never be on at the same time, the 25w circuit is more than enough.

I created a two wire loom



And a nice label to attach to the loom behind the fuse box



I spliced right into the wires and soldered and taped


The fog is a purple wire
The main beam is a brown on yellow.

I cable tied the loom back up the original car loom. This is important to keep cable tight. I cable tied all the way underneath the drivers dashboard. Loose cables mean rattles!


... this also allows you to run the the cable through the bulkhead just above the the steering column. There's a large gromet you can go through. It comes out behind the battery on the left side. Move the battery to make it easier to push through and route the loom to the right hand side of the car. I don't have any pics of this but can take some if you like.

This pretty much finishes inside the car. Do not reassemble until everything is done

Next I position the DRLs inside the grills.

[BMAN_986]

I'm putting them in the middle so I cut the vertical supports. The integrity of the grill doesn't weaken that much.



Remove the headlights. You can get to the top of the grills from there. This is how you will reach the DRL wires.



If needed, cut the excess trim of the DRL using a dremmel.


Put the DRLs in the grill. Do not secure right now. Route the DRL cables so that when you put the headlights in you won't catch the cable. Feed the DRL cable into the trunk space through this opening



Next wire up the relay

Add a grounding cable to this post



Once you have this, you'll have all the wires in the same place. Create a mini loom and cut all the cables to the same length. Then solder the relay to the DRL/Ground/Feed loom wires



Pin 30 is from the custom feed loom (Fog +ve)
Pin 86 is from the custom feed loom (Mainbeam +ve)
Pin 85 is the DRL Ground (DRL Blue Wire) and Ground Post.
Pin 87a is the DRL +ve (DRL Brown Wiire)

Tape it all up and place the relay in the cavity like this. You can cable tie it to keep it secure.



You should now be able to test


Once you are happy that everything is working go ahead a run this test.

Car ignition on -> DRL On
Side Lights -> DRL On
Main Beam -> DRL Off
High Beam -> DRL Off
Fog -> DRL Off/High Beam Off

If everything looks good you are done. Secure the DRLs. Put all the trim back (inside and outside the car)

Finished picture.



I'll try and get a video up to demo the behavior.

btw, particalwave ... nice color ;-)

[evo-r]

Awesome job, they looked great!!