Daytime Running Lights (DRL's)

[mileshoover]

Originally Posted by mileshoover

Yes, they deifintely are a safety feature recognized by the Insurance Institute. My Insurance Co., USAA, asked the same question and I had to tell them that no, they didn't.

I agree that DC should make them available to all owners, irrespective of where their car is delivered.

OK, gals and guys, my "C" now has fully enabled DRL's ON THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS (that's the two inboard head-lamps).

If you have been reading this thread, you all know about my problems with DC and its statements to effect finally that the software for the body module was not written to enable DRL's on US-distributed LX models other than the fleet types. In other words, I got absolutely nowhere with DC or its dealers.

However, there is more than one way to skin a cat and I was bound and determined to activate my DRL's ON the high beams, not the turn signals.

Here's how it was done. Several years ago, Design Tech in Springfield, VA 1-800-337-4488

http://www.designtech.com

made a DRL module for the high beam lamps. It fits most autos having SERIAL positive and negative lighting systems (most all cars. the LX is positive). Their price has remained relatively constant at $29.95 plus $6.00 shipping. I bought mine at

http://www.securityworld.com

1-800-669-7328, Sharion, PA, because their price was $27.95 plus $6.00 shipping. One of these kits was previously installed under the dash of my wife's Acura Integra LS where it has worked fine for several years.

The module (described quite well on both sites) consists of a plastic box about 3 x 5 with 6 wires (described more completely in the DT unit) coming out of one side. It is supposed to be located wherever it can get +12vdc power, access for an ignition ON/OFF sense location using the light blue wire, to the low beam headlight for sensing if it is on or not, and to the the high beam headlight to sense output (orange wire). Two other wires (a green loop and a white/red stripe) are not used for this installation. So 4 wires need to be connected/spliced into the "C"'s electrical system.

On the "C", the module box was installed (screwed vertically to the right fender inner liner, just below the hood gap) just opposite the engine compartment remote positive battery terminal.

Two wires were attached nside the Power Distribution Box, the power tap line (red) was spaded into empty socket 24 (has its own system 20A fuse). Then, the ignition sensor wire (light blue, was tied to the front post of the fuse in socket 14). These both had been fed inside the box (wires enter just to the front of the cadmium-colored mount on its right side). The other two wires were cabled and run forward from the module along the fender wall to the two right side headlamps.

On a SERIES wired auto, ONE side connection like this would turn on both lights. However, when the module was installed on the "C", all worked well, but only lit up the right highbeam! After a bit of thinking and some research, particularly on Benz electrical schematics, it was found that this car (probably also on all LX cars) has a PARALLEL positive electrical system. So, after a bit more thinking, I simply extend the module's right highbeam output sensor line (orange), suitably protected in a loom, across the top of the radiator to the left side highbeam. To do this, the air cleaner box must be removed for access to the back of that lamp.

Of course, all wiring was shrink-wrapped after splicing and tied down neatly. Cable ties are furnished in the kit. (This module comes also with 6 quick set splicers which I personally do not recommend using because they may unfasten).

After this connection, BOTH lamps came on as they should at about 75% power. My "C" now has DRL's using the the high beam lights, just as the Canadian-delived OEM system functions. The lights come on within a few seconds after starting, stay on until darkness causes the automatic headlamps to go on, (as discussed further on the two sites listed above). The lights on for the wipers feature is not affected; nor is the manual switching on of the lamps in any switch position. Turn signals are not affected in any manner and DO NOT function as DRL's with this module. The HID's (low beams only) are NOT affected and work normally. Fog lights work normally.

Please see the two sites for complete wiring info, color codes, etc.

Any other questions, please give me a yell and I'll do my best to help.

DON'T LET DC TELL YOU THAT SOMETHING CAN'T BE DONE!!

[arnoldw]

I believe the high beams are wired separately because of the signal lights being so close to the high beams. On my canadian 3ooc when I use the turn signal, the drl on that side shuts off for better visibility of the signal light

[300C4ME]

Originally Posted by mileshoover

OK, gals and guys, my "C" now has fully enabled DRL's ON THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS (that's the two center headlamps).

* * * * *

DON'T LET DC TELL YOU THAT SOMETHING CAN'T BE DONE!!

That's the Spirit!!! Well done Miles. But one more of your 300C enhancements for me to emulate.

[mileshoover]

Originally Posted by arnoldw

I believe the high beams are wired separately because of the signal lights being so close to the high beams. On my canadian 3ooc when I use the turn signal, the drl on that side shuts off for better visibility of the signal light

Thanks, yes, I knew that. I chose not to try to emulate that process as to being too complicated to duplicate. My front turn signals ARE visible, though, even with the DRL's on all during daylight hours. The front integration of the "C"'s turn signals into the high beam lamp housing is typical of late model "E" Benz's. Generally such parallel wiring is more costly than serial; it almost requires duplication of the entire lighting system. Placing the turn signals in the highbeam housing is sort of silly, IMO. But, we weren't in charge...

However, IMO also, the parallel wiring was applied to the "C" simply because it was an easy way to move some European product into the US market. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find that a considerable amount of other Benz parts came directly from Europe; charged, of course to the Chrysler part of DC.

[JonW]

You could overcome the simultaneous turn signal light and high beams by wiring the high beam circuit through a normally closed relay. Then tie the input of the relay to the turn signal lead. Every time the turn signal activated, it would automatically deactivate the DRL/high beam. Not sure how the visual effect would be with the alternating high beam / turn signal light, but it might be OK. It could possibly even improve the visibility of the turn signal light.

By using two relays, you would be able to deactivate the single high beam needed to alternate with the approriate turn signal.

[arnoldw]

What if you wired the relay to the switch ahead of the flasher, then the high beam would stay off?

[mileshoover]

JonW and arnoldw -- Thanks, guys. Appreciate your thoughts.

What you suggest may work, but as I said, so far the setup I have does what I want and the cost was minimal as was exposure to a screwup. Also, my mods to the electrical system were kept to a minimum.

But if it looks like front turn signal visibilty problems exist, I'll look into in more.

Thanks, again.

[300C4ME]

Originally Posted by mileshoover

But if it looks like front turn signal visibilty problems exist, I'll look into in more.

Thanks, again.

So Miles, what are your thoughts? Is the visibility of the turn signals impaired by the DRL's?

[mileshoover]

Originally Posted by 300C4ME

So Miles, what are your thoughts? Is the visibility of the turn signals impaired by the DRL's?

So far, no, in my opinion, but they've only been active since Wednesday (6/30). I'll continue to check this out. Still my opinion that to turn off the DRL light on that signal side is overkill.

[II kings 9:20]

I am with you Miles, overkill, I was going with a signal light drl unit which I bought and is now on Ebay, If I install the drl it will be the one you used. I began to think , with a white car which is very visible I'm not sure drl offers much. Different story with dark colors. All the Ohio state trooper cars were changed from low visibility charcoal grey to white to reduce collisions. could you post a photo of your module installed. I used that convienent bracket in the right front engine bay to install my mini compressor on a shelf bracket for the Italian air horns. I have posted where the compressor is, do you think there is enough room for the drl unit?