Daytime running lights hack - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

san rensho · 08-09-2011, 02:48 PM

Its probably been posted before, but I just set the foglights as running lights. Now, whenever the ignition is on, just the front foglights are on. They go off when you hit the brights, but otherwise they are always on. Looks pretty good if I do say so myself.

All you have to do is run a jumper wire from the foglight fuse (number 7 on my car) to the 86 pin of the foglight relay (number 12). Took about a half hour and I had the wire and connectors on hand so the cost is pennies.

DenverSteve · 08-09-2011, 08:49 PM

Thanks for the info. Sounds like something the dealer could do while in for a minor, is this so?

san rensho · 08-10-2011, 03:10 AM

I dont think a dealer would "jury rig" a wire, but you could give it a try. If its doable, they would want to program it through the computer, which would probably be a couple of hundred bucks.

DenverSteve · 08-10-2011, 05:29 PM

Not "rig" it simply move the wiring from the switch to the accessory side of the ignition. I've had dealers of other brands I've driven do that for me. I've got mine going to the dealer tomorrow for a minor and I'm going to ask them if the running lights (fogs) can be programmed to come on when the car is started and go off when the key comes out.

ppbon · 08-10-2011, 06:24 PM

... dedicated LED Daytime Running Lights.
If you're going to run your front fogs as DRL you should change the H7 bulbs to LED because of the heat. The fogs were not designed to be run continuously so they will yellow quickly.
By installing LED bulbs which run much cooler they will remain clear much longer.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

DenverSteve · 08-10-2011, 06:27 PM

Thanks Pedro. I'll do that if they can program/rewire them.

san rensho · 08-10-2011, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppbon

... dedicated LED Daytime Running Lights.
If you're going to run your front fogs as DRL you should change the H7 bulbs to LED because of the heat. The fogs were not designed to be run continuously so they will yellow quickly.
By installing LED bulbs which run much cooler they will remain clear much longer.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

Just ordered the LEDs. They are coming from China, a month with the stock bulbs shouldn't cause major yellowing, should it?

ppbon · 08-11-2011, 05:39 AM

... I could have saved you the wait.
I generally have them in stock.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

Quote:

Originally Posted by san rensho

Just ordered the LEDs. They are coming from China, a month with the stock bulbs shouldn't cause major yellowing, should it?

DenverSteve · 08-12-2011, 08:17 PM

My dealer said mine couldn't be re-programmed for auto-on when the ignition was turned on. While I don't believe this is totally accurate, I wouldn't want to start monkeying with the wiring myself.

san rensho · 08-24-2011, 05:35 PM

Just installed the LED bulbs ($8.00 shipped from China, how do they do it so cheap?) and cosmetically, they look great. Very bright, white/bluish light when you look at them from the front, but they essentially are useless as fog lights for illuminating the road. But hey, style over function is ok once in a while, right?

kabel · 08-25-2011, 04:50 AM

+ how often do we need to use fog lights in FL!

ProjectM96 · 08-25-2011, 05:23 AM

Speaking of lights,

I have H7's for all bulbs in my head light.

But the main beam I use at night has blue Xenon H7 bulbs so they shine bright white.
The description on the package says that it is safe to use and it will not melt the headlight area.

Has anyone experienced problems with using Xenon H7's?

I had them on for 4 months now and the most I drove at night was for an hour maybe. So far, no problems except one headlight has these small dots all over the inner surface. It looks like dust and I only see it when lights are on and shining on it, otherwise, they are not noticeable. I was wondering if those Zenons were the cause. Compound and Meguirs Plastic Polish does not do anything to fix it.

thstone · 09-05-2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by san rensho

Just installed the LED bulbs ($8.00 shipped from China, how do they do it so cheap?) and cosmetically, they look great. Very bright, white/bluish light when you look at them from the front, but they essentially are useless as fog lights for illuminating the road. But hey, style over function is ok once in a while, right?

What brand/model did you buy? I also did the DRL hack and want to avoid yellowing my light lenses. Thanks.

san rensho · 09-05-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thstone

What brand/model did you buy? I also did the DRL hack and want to avoid yellowing my light lenses. Thanks.

I can't recommend the ones I bought. After a few days I noticed that the light color was off slightly, one was a little more blue than the other. Get what you paid for! Technolab (Pedros) sells some, which although I haven't used them, I'm sure are of good quality.

Otherwise, search Ebay for "H7 LED" and you will get a bunch of options.

thstone · 09-07-2011, 10:19 AM

Thanks, I appreciate the honest feedback.

I had previously PM'd Pedro about getting some bulbs from him but didn't get any response. I'll try him again or check in with my good friend Mr. Ebay.