How to get daytime running lights for free or how to get rid of DRL

[kolkh]

This is a popular topic. Until its original author comes to this site and posts his diagram, I will try to put a wordy description based on info from varies sites.

For those [2-nd generation] Sienna models  that are not "supposed" to be equipped with day time running lights in the US, there is a simple way to install DRL option, free!

• Find a fuse block in the engine compartment – look at picture “Engine compartment overview” in section 7.1 of the Manual.
• Remove the fuse panel cover.
• Look at the lower left hand corner of the fuse box, you will see an empty fuse socket to the left of fuse no 21. To locate fuse no. 21, look at picture in subsection “Fuses” of section 8 of the Manual.
• Take a 30 amp fuse and plug it into the empty socket.

You have installed daytime running lights!

Those, who want deactivate DRL, should do the opposite – remove the pin from the socket that is located to the left of fuse no. 21

[jbarnett1971]

I have a 2008 LE with option package #1. I tried this out and it didn't work for me...did I do something wrong?

Thanks for any help.

Josh

[kolkh]

Was parking brake released?

Is fuse # 4 Ok?

Switch on high beams and check whether both lights are ON, if one is off, DRL will not work and you have to replace that bulb anyway…

[jbarnett1971]

  Parking Brake? What is a parking brake? 

Works wonderfully now...thanks

Josh

[ricblake]

Aside from reducing the intensity level of the DRL, any other compelling reason to have the DRL resistor pack installed?

[kolkh]

Before [re-]posting DRL “installation” instructions at this site, I had checked electrical diagrams and noted two items: a fuse or a pin or a wire, which needs to be added as per post #1, and a resistor pack. I cannot re-call that I’ve seen any discussion in any Sienna mod forum about the resistor pack.

I doubt this resistor pack can play any safety function in the circuit. Indeed, to create a DRL circuit, we connect two high beam bulbs in sequence. Each of them works under a half of their normal voltage. Thus, each consumes/releases a quarter of their normal power, they will be cool… The current will be twice lower than normal – wiring will be cool too.

[ricblake]

Hey kolkh,

I appreciate your response. I have asked about the resistor pack on the Siennaclub forum, and you are the first to ever respond. I've not seen one, but according to the schematic the pack contains only two resistors in parallel -- no other components. I believe it is only there to reduce the light intensity levels of the DRL's to meet federal standards introduced about 2004. I was wondering about any possible safety concerns in the circuit -- and you answered that question very well.

If anyone still wants info on the DRL Resistor Pack, the part number is 82690-45020 ($75-$100 new). If I can find one in the local bone-yard, I may install it just to bring the intensity level down a bit to match the factory-equipped Sienna's running around here.

[steph280]

Sorry for the late arrival.  I was the original poster for this diagram on siennaclub.org.  Here it is again, along with what the jumper looks like.

[robo5]

Welcome!! Glad you made it over here!

Does the "fuse" have a rating??

Or is this a "short" pin.

From what i remember from the "old" place was install a short pin OR fuse and away you go. You now have DRL.  A little more research into this and i "think" a fuse can be used.

Thanks steph280 to get this moving again.

ROB

[steph280]

It's a hard jumper.  But I've done it on 5 other Siennas using the spare 15amp (or was it 20 amp) fuse in the fuse box, they work fine as well.

Thanks for the welcome!

[Deuce]

It's a hard jumper.  But I've done it on 5 other Siennas using the spare 15amp (or was it 20 amp) fuse in the fuse box, they work fine as well.

Yep I used a spare fuse about 5 years ago on my '04 and it's worked ever since.

[94dlx]

  My apologies but I am confused . Do we need to use the resistor to prevent overheating of the circuits or does simply plugging in the "spare" fuse suffice? I want DRLs but I don't want to fry my wiring!

[robo5]

My apologies but I am confused . Do we need to use the resistor to prevent overheating of the circuits or does simply plugging in the "spare" fuse suffice? I want DRLs but I don't want to fry my wiring!

Install a "fuse" into the spot and you are good to go. The "pic" showed a "short pin" which is like a jumper.

To be on the safe side 15 amp fuse is fine. Plug it in and enjoy

[Zero260]

My apologies but I am confused . Do we need to use the resistor to prevent overheating of the circuits or does simply plugging in the "spare" fuse suffice? I want DRLs but I don't want to fry my wiring!

Sienna's with DRLs from the factory do indeed have a "resistor pack" - this is not the "jumper" in the fuse box (the one that can be replaced with any handy fuse), but another component that is mounted in the engine compartment near the passenger-side wheel well.  The resistor pack effectively adds 1 ohm resistance to the two high beams in series during DRL operation.  Like ricblake (see his post above), I assume that it's purpose is to lower the output of the high beams a bit further below 50%, presumably to meet some DRL regulation.  I have installed the jumper (but not the resistor pack), and I believe my DRLs are a bit brighter than other Siennas I see on the road - but I have not been able to do a side-by-side comparison.

That said, as kolkh pointed out there is no problem running without the resistor pack since current levels would already be half that of normal high beam operation.

[siennami]

I'm glad some people had questions about activating DRLs.  I did that shortly after I got my CE in '07.  I have noticed on some Siennas that have DRLs that their tailights seems to be affected, also.  Is that pretty typical with DRLs that are factory-activated, perhaps?  I've been wondering since they seem to be different from mine.  And, also, I was riding with my boss in her '09 XLE last week and I noticed that her dash lights were lit, so I wondered if that had anything to do with drls.
  Just wondering......