DRL Installation Guide

Any modifications/technical issues & tuning questions, help, suggestions & advice on;Maintenance, Servicing, Suspension, Interior, Exterior, ECU's, Alarms, ICE?. Help is at hand in here. Need for speed? Got a question or just browsing for ideas? Or see if your knowledge can help someone out.

Basically, if you have a problem or question about your Fiesta Mk7 - Post in here!
Wilko
Fiesta Mk7 Regular
Fiesta Mk7 Regular
Posts: 80
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 4:37 pm
Drives: '11 Fiesta S1600
Refferer: Google

DRL Installation Guide

Post 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.
Image

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:
Image

And then connect the red wire to the positive terminal:
Image


You then have one orange wire left on the relay.
Image

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:
Image

To save you cutting into your car electrics I bought a pack of these for 99p:
Image

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.
Image

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:
Image

Wack the headlights back in and voila!

Image

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.
Frozen White S1600 134PS

{text-align: center;}
northeastzetecs
Fiesta Mk7 Major Contributor
Fiesta Mk7 Major Contributor
Posts: 330
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 12:39 am
Drives: Zetec s
Refferer: Search Engine

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Post by northeastzetecs »

perfect mate but why do they have to turn off when you turn your headlights on? :s
Image

Wilko
Fiesta Mk7 Regular
Fiesta Mk7 Regular
Posts: 80
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 4:37 pm
Drives: '11 Fiesta S1600
Refferer: Google

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Post 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).
Frozen White S1600 134PS

northeastzetecs
Fiesta Mk7 Major Contributor
Fiesta Mk7 Major Contributor
Posts: 330
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 12:39 am
Drives: Zetec s
Refferer: Search Engine

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Post 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?
Image

DGZS
Fiesta Mk7 Major Contributor
Fiesta Mk7 Major Contributor
Posts: 318
Joined: Sun Sep 25, 2011 6:16 am
Drives: Fiesta ZS
Refferer: google suggestion
Location: Chelmsford

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Post by DGZS »

Nice little guide mate, think I might give it a go.

Wilko
Fiesta Mk7 Regular
Fiesta Mk7 Regular
Posts: 80
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 4:37 pm
Drives: '11 Fiesta S1600
Refferer: Google

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Post 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.
Frozen White S1600 134PS

northeastzetecs
Fiesta Mk7 Major Contributor
Fiesta Mk7 Major Contributor
Posts: 330
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 12:39 am
Drives: Zetec s
Refferer: Search Engine

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Post 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
Image

northeastzetecs
Fiesta Mk7 Major Contributor
Fiesta Mk7 Major Contributor
Posts: 330
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 12:39 am
Drives: Zetec s
Refferer: Search Engine

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Post 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.
Image

Wilko
Fiesta Mk7 Regular
Fiesta Mk7 Regular
Posts: 80
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 4:37 pm
Drives: '11 Fiesta S1600
Refferer: Google

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Post by Wilko »

so does that mwan they cannot be on when the dipped beam is on at all regatdless of how bright they are?
Frozen White S1600 134PS

northeastzetecs
Fiesta Mk7 Major Contributor
Fiesta Mk7 Major Contributor
Posts: 330
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 12:39 am
Drives: Zetec s
Refferer: Search Engine

Re: DRL Installation Guide

Post 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 :)
Image

Post Reply