DIY: How-To-Enable DRL – 2007 Tundra

[daless2]

DIY: How-To-Enable DRL – 2007 Tundra


Toyota does not make it easy to enable the Daytime Running Lights on the Tundra. Nor do they seam to have any interest in helping anyone add them themselves. But that’s ok, like everything else it can be reverse engineered.

If you have an interest in enabling DRL on your Tundra you might want to click on the PDF file attached to this post and save it to your computer.

If you can follow some directions and are capable of soldering a few wires you can get the DRL working.


This design will enable your DRL to operate as follows:

q With Ignition Key “On” the Turn Signal Bulbs (27-watts) light up as the DRL.

q With Headlights “On”, the DRL will be turned “Off”.

q When using the Turn Signal, the DRL for the side you wish to signal will turn off function as the DRL and turn on function as the Turn Signal until the turn indicator is canceled. Once Canceled DRL function will return.

q If you would like to be able to turn the DRL system off at any time you can install an “Optional Switch” (of your choice).


This simple design has been installed for the last three (3) months on seven (7) 2007 Toyota Tundra’s. All have operated flawlessly.

If you would like to enable DRL using the 27-watt turn signals, as Toyota does, on your Tundra this low cost design will work for you.

I hope some will find this useful.

Please see DIY-DRL.pdf attached.

Frank (Daless2)

[reldapimp]

good post

[Wacked]

Awesome write up!! Does all of this work with the auto on/off headlights in the Limited?

[daless2]

Originally Posted by Wacked

Awesome write up!! Does all of this work with the auto on/off headlights in the Limited?

Good question!

I DO NOT KNOW for sure as I have not installed this on an auto/on headlight Tundra.

However, the auto/on function operates like a simple switch that you don’t have to turn on yourself. My gut tells me this DRL design would work fine.


That said I am going to lunch in a few minutes. I have the factory service wiring manual. I will take it to lunch with me and trace this out it out via the schematics diagrams.

I’ll let you know what I find out when I get back.

Frank

[daless2]

Originally Posted by Wacked

Awesome write up!! Does all of this work with the auto on/off headlights in the Limited?

Short Answer:

Yes, this design to enable the DRL will work with the Limited Auto On/Off headlights.


Long Answer:

The headlight switch on the limited has a manual position and an Auto Position.

In the Manual position, the switch sends a “Ground” to the Main Body ECU, which then send a “Ground” to the Headlight relay coil.

In the Auto Position, the switch send a “Ground” to a different pin on the main Body ECU. This ground activated the Light Sensor. The Light Sensor, then acts as the Headlight Switch.

When the ambient Light drops, the Light Sensor send a “Ground” to the same Headlight Relay Coil to turn the lights on.

This design to enable the DRL will work on the Limited WITH the headlight switch in EITHER position, Manual or Auto.


That said; please understand I HAVE NOT actually verified this via an installation. I am making this statement based on my reading of the schematic diagrams out of the factory service manual. I do have 100% faith in my correct interpretation of these diagrams and my statement that it will work. I just have not actually done it on a Tundra with Auto On/Off lights.

Hope this helps you out.

Frank

[Wacked]

Awesome, thanks. I may have to try this, I have some vacation time coming up and although I know I will get a long list of "honey do's" I might have to squeeze this one in.

[mhadden]

Very nice post for those who don't have the DRL option.

Funny how just switching or soldering a couple wires makes something that in a box work. But I think the box just has the same connections that you made in the pdf!

[BigO.]

Great post. Can you answer another question?

I HAVE drls and the auto lights on my truck. When the truck sits overnight and I turn it on in the morning the DRLS don't come on with it idling, in park, with parking brake on. Once I put the truck in Drive and pull the parking brake the lights come on. BUT after getting to work and engaging the parking brake and shifting it to park the DRLs stay on. Is their a timer on them? Even if i turn the truck off and turn it back on the drls come back on with the parking brake engaged and the shifter in Park.

Thanks

[daless2]

Originally Posted by BigO.

Great post. Can you answer another question?

I HAVE drls and the auto lights on my truck. When the truck sits overnight and I turn it on in the morning the DRLS don't come on with it idling, in park, with parking brake on. Once I put the truck in Drive and pull the parking brake the lights come on. BUT after getting to work and engaging the parking brake and shifting it to park the DRLs stay on. Is their a timer on them? Even if i turn the truck off and turn it back on the drls come back on with the parking brake engaged and the shifter in Park.

Thanks

My guess is you also have the Auto Lights Off Feature on your truck. There are several parameters that can be set which control when and how the light turn off automatically.

I believe your truck has the 30-second timer set.

1. If that is the case, after you shut the key off, remove key, open at least one door, close all doors and then lock all the doors. All lights should go off automatically within 30 seconds.


2. There is a sub-option that can be set when the 30 second timer feature is activated, “Off on Double Lock”

To test to see if it is set on your truck do all of the above, (shut key off, remove key, open and close at least one door, close all doors, lock all doors) then lock the doors a second time using the remote door lock key fob.

If this option is set, all lights will go out immediately, without waiting the 30 seconds, once you lock the doors a second time with the remote.


3. There is a third sub-option that can be set, which will turn off all the lights immediately when the key is shut off and removed and the drivers door is opened.



I believe you have the 30 second delay set on your truck, and that timer has not expired or has not been reset by other means, and that is why the Running Lights are coming back on when you start it back up right after shutting it off even though you have the parking brake and tranny in park.


I do not know this for sure, but that is the best I can come up with given the inadiquite functional description in the factory service manual.

I honestly believe this section of the manual was written first in Japanese and then translated to English. It is very poorly written and extremely hard to make heads or tails out of. (I should know I am an expert at poorly writing things myself.) But in truth, it is very hard to understand.

Hope this helps,

Frank

[BigO.]

Thanks for the help.

[SGull]

Good post, but make sure DRL's using the amber turn signals are legal in your state. In California, they aren't.

[mhadden]

Originally Posted by SGull

Good post, but make sure DRL's using the amber turn signals are legal in your state. In California, they aren't.

Oh really?

I guess all the OE's will have to recall their vehicles just for California

[excel25]

I have the DRL's but not the auto on's is this something easy I could do ? sure miss it from my last 8 trucks, It's hard to remember to turn on and off when haven't done so in years

[The Doctor]

Finished this mod tonight, worked perfectly, outstanding instructions.

[daless2]

Originally Posted by The Doctor

Finished this mod tonight, worked perfectly, outstanding instructions.

Thank you for your kind words.

To my knowledge you are the first to report back that you have enabled the DRL on your Tundra using these How-To instructions.

Do you have any recommendations or suggestions on how I can improve on the instructions?

Your constructive criticism is sought after and appreciated, as I want to insure I am as clear as I can be and that this design can be installed by most, without any issues.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

Frank