Adding DRL

[SGull]

IT WORKS, I now have DRL!

I've posted several pictures of the install below...
Soooooo,
You need 3 parts
1. The DRL flasher relay
2. A 'T' tap
3. The wire that connects the tap to the ground screw.

You are going to tap the SMALL gray wire on the LEFT side of the plug, right in the middle between the top and bottom. (There is a much thicker gray wire on the right side). Then just run the wire down to the ground screw per picture.

Total time, 10 minutes if you already have installed the flaher relay.
add about 10 more if you're installing the relay at the same time.
Tools, 10 mm socket and cable ties.

Any questions, ask Jonathan, mustang67408 or I.

[Jonathan]

Nice pictures. I think the Tundra just looks better with the DRL'S on.

[SensEast]

Originally Posted by SGull

There is a way to add DRL.!

Thanks to Jonathan and Mustang 67408!!
Install the DRL ready flasher unit, THEN ground the gray wire
that comes out of the connection.
Jonathan has done it and it works.
I am going to try it on my truck today, will post later.
Also I posted earlier to check ,at least in Calif whether
amber DRL's are legal, they are. The Tundra DRL's use the amber turn/park light as DRL.
Steve

Steve, Thanks for the pics. This sounds like something I would be confident doing.

[daless2]

Originally Posted by SGull

IT WORKS, I now have DRL!

I've posted several pictures of the install below...
Soooooo,
You need 3 parts
1. The DRL flasher relay
2. A 'T' tap
3. The wire that connects the tap to the ground screw.

You are going to tap the SMALL gray wire on the LEFT side of the plug, right in the middle between the top and bottom. (There is a much thicker gray wire on the right side). Then just run the wire down to the ground screw per picture.

Total time, 10 minutes if you already have installed the flaher relay.
add about 10 more if you're installing the relay at the same time.
Tools, 10 mm socket and cable ties.

Any questions, ask Jonathan, mustang67408 or I.

Hi Steve,

Please do not take this in the wrong way, as I intend it to only be helpful to you and to others. Thanks for understand this.

The method you have employed to turn the 27 watt Turn Signal lamps on to provide some of the DRL function has a significant exposure to create unintended and unknown consequences.

I believe you are going to want to fix this.

By tapping into the gray wire you are indeed providing a “ground” to the new DRL/Flasher Relay. This lights up the Turn Signal Lamps to provide the DRLs. It also enables the DRL/Flasher Relay to “Blink” the appropriate Turn Signal, as needed, even though they are now functioning as DRL. This is all goodness.

But…..

You are also providing a “ground signal” to the Main Body ECU, which is not expected.

This is not a good thing to do. Any back circuit inside the Main Body ECU, not diode protected internally, can and will also be receiving this ground signal.


The Main Body ECU controls lots of stuff, either by providing a “Path to Ground”, or by accepting a “Ground Signal” to control other events on the Tundra and send signals down the CAN/LAN System.

By providing a ground in this manor you are creating what is called a “Ground Loop” to the Main Body ECU. This is not good.

What effects this “Ground Loop” will have on the Main Body ECU and the functions it controls are unknown to me, as I do not have access to the circuit design.

I can tell you this is not a good thing to do. It creates an unnecessary exposure, given a certain set of logic in that Main Body ECU for bad things to happen.

Fortunately it is not hard to eliminate this ‘ground loop” and any exposures to bad things happening.

I strongly suggest, at a minimum, that you cut the gray wire that you tapped into.

By doing this, you are electrically and mechanically disconnecting the “ground” you added from going to the Main Body ECU and creating a “ground loop” internal to the ECU..

Your “ground” will then only go to the gray wire going to the DRL/Flasher Unit, which will turn the 27-watt Turn Signal lamps on as DRLs.

I hope you will take this advice in the way it is intended, to be helpful and not critical of the work you have shared with all of us.


Have a great evening,

Frank


PS: Your method will also leave the Turn Signal Lamps on as DRLs when the headlights are on. This does differ from the stock DRL Function.

[mustang67408]

I would have to agree with the above statement. Cut the gray wire going to the ECU and let the grounded part go to the flasher only.
The circuit inside the ECU is non existant, the DRLS do not work without the ground wire. The ECU provides the ground if it were a ECU for DRL, but the ECU has not been programmed for them to work, but cutting the wire is a good insurance policy against and back fed ground loop. Cheap insurance policy. It's a good idea, just in case.

When I modified the BODY ECU in my wifes Sequoia to control the fog lights, I cut the wire going to the Body Ecu that controled the ground when the headlights were turned on, and permanently ground the other end of that wire. There is no ground going back to the body ECU to cause any back feed problems.

Nice catch daless2. Better to be safe than sorry.

[SensEast]

So what you guys are saying is simply cut the gray wire and ground it? That makes things even easier.

[daless2]

Originally Posted by SensEast

So what you guys are saying is simply cut the gray wire and ground it? That makes things even easier.

Yup!

(Along with installing the DRL/Flasher.)

After cutting the GRAY wire “Ground” the end that goes to the DRL/Flasher Relay.

Make sure you insulate the other end of the wire you have cut with electrical tape. This end goes to the Main Body ECU.

But Please know this method will not provide DRL lamps that perform as the Factory DRL perform.

Specifically they will not turn off when the Headlights are on. Nor will they turn off when in Park with the Parking Brake on.
If you want to make the DRL perform like the Factory DRL Lamps you need to add two relays along with the New DRL/Flasher.

You can find the How-To at this link if you are interested.

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/tundra/117414-diy-how-enable-drl-2007-tundra/

This is a bit more involved, but for those who would like to do it, there you go.

Hope this helps.

Frank

[SGull]

Thanks Frank for the info, I will cut the wire today,
I'm OK with the turn signals on with headlights, as long as they still flash when needed as turn signals!
Steve

[SensEast]

Just finished the job. Took all of 45 minutes, from pulling the truck into the garage, to backing it out with DRL's WORKING!!!!!!!

Thanks to Steve and Frank for you advise!!

Cheers and Happy New Year!!!

PS Those of you in Canada having to do this, order the part from toyotapart.com or other US supplier, it is $42 from them versus over $100 from a Canadian Dealer (at least that is what my dealer quoted me)!!!

[Blaqk Tundra 67]

im confused on which method to follow guys, which is the safe way to do it and what parts would i be needing?