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DRL Installation Guide

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 5:20 pm
by Wilko
Fitted some DRLs to my MK7 today so thought I would do a quick guide on how to install them.

First up you need to buy a set of DRLs. There are loads of options for this and it is down to personal preference which ones you want. I bought some flexible LED strips. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130549346330? ... 1497.l2649

Next up you need to get a relay. This is needed so that the DRLs turn off when your headlights turn on. Here is the one I bought:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110846856545? ... 1497.l2649

First of all you need to fix the DRLs to your car. This will vary depending on where you are putting them and what type of DRL they are, so i cant really advise you too much on how to do this. Mine just stick on with strong 3M double sided tape.

Once you have fitted the DRLs it's time to wire them up.

The best way to do this is to remove the headlights to give you better access (in my case, the backs of the fog lights).

Once the lights are removed, bring the wires from the DRLs over the the near side of the engine bay (side with the battery). In my case I had to buy extra wire to get the offside DRL to reach the other side of the engine bay.
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Connect the wires from the DRLs to the black wires coming from the relay.


Now its time to connect the relay.

The blue wire connects to the battery earth. This is where I connected mine:
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And then connect the red wire to the positive terminal:
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You then have one orange wire left on the relay.
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This has to be connected to the positive wire of the headlight (allowing it to turn off when the headlights are on).

The wire comes off the plug that goes into the back of the headlight. The wires are numbered and it is NUMBER 1 that you need to conect the orange wire of the relay to:
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To save you cutting into your car electrics I bought a pack of these for 99p:
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Put the crimp over the wire and insert the orange wire to the other side from the relay. Squeeze it with some pliers and clip it shut.
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Now this is all connected up, try it out.

Turn the engine on, after a few seconds the DRLs should turn on. turn your side lights on....the DRLs should still be on. Turn your dipped beams on.... if done correctly, they should now be off.

If this is all working correctly it's time to clean up...

Get a packet of small cable ties and secure and loose wires and secure the relay down:
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Wack the headlights back in and voila!

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This relay also includes a 'follow me home' feature which means that they will stay on for 20 seconds after the engine is turned off.

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 6:10 pm
by northeastzetecs
perfect mate but why do they have to turn off when you turn your headlights on? :s

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 7:22 pm
by Wilko
I think it's a legal thing. Being DRLs (DAYTIME running lights) they are only supposed to be on in daylight. I believe they can be on when the headlights are on but have to dim by 50% (dont quote me on that).

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 12:15 pm
by northeastzetecs
isn't there a way you could do that?
with the drl think but put a resistor on them so they dim when your headlights are on?

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 5:51 pm
by DGZS
Nice little guide mate, think I might give it a go.

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 5:56 pm
by Wilko
Cheers dude.

Yer you can get a relay that dimms it instead of switching them off, wouldnt really want to get that unless I was 100% sure on the laws but you can get ones that do it off ebay.

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 12:14 pm
by northeastzetecs
Wilko wrote:Cheers dude.

Yer you can get a relay that dimms it instead of switching them off, wouldnt really want to get that unless I was 100% sure on the laws but you can get ones that do it off ebay.
cheers mate! Perfect guide btw :D

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 1:13 pm
by northeastzetecs
Here is the law...

DRLs must switch on with the vehicle ignition and switch off when the vehicle sidelights are switched on. They can also be made to function as front position (side) lights, which operate at a reduced intensity when the vehicle sidelights are switched on.

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 2:14 pm
by Wilko
so does that mwan they cannot be on when the dipped beam is on at all regatdless of how bright they are?

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 2:18 pm
by northeastzetecs
Wilko wrote:so does that mwan they cannot be on when the dipped beam is on at all regatdless of how bright they are?
They can also be made to function as front position (side) lights, which operate at a reduced intensity when the vehicle sidelights are switched on

yes but like you said at a reduced intensity :)