Charger92

I want to dim the day time running lights some how.
I would like the regular DRL headlights to come on they way it is now (with the e brake off) but dimmer. Then if I want the lights on brighter I can turn the headlight switch on.

I would like to do this do to my headlights being nice and bright even on low beam, but when in snowy foggy weather the glare is to bright back at you.
I can use my fog lights but still the glare from the regular low beam or daytime running lights (one in the same) are to bright.
If I pull over shut off the engine, pull the ebrake slightly, not enough to grab the brakes but keep the daytime running lights off, start the engine and put the headlight switch on to marker lights, than turn my fog lights on, I'm able to see good in the snowy fog but boy what a hassle.
An added plus with dimm DRL, I would have some extra dim lighing coming from the headlight area to be seen and not all coming from the lower (fog lights) and just the markers.


All I want to do is have to daytime running lights dimmer than low beam so I can just use the fogs, with the marker lights plus the DRL's and then a quick twist on the headlight switch and I'm back at regular headlight lighting. The fogs are on there own switch.

Anyone a electrical guru that may know how to resist the amount of voltage the DRL's put out so the lights are dim or any other sugestions?

eric-the-red

Most DRLs already have a resistor in the circuit to get lower voltage. You'll have to find it and either swap in a bigger one, or add an extra one. It's usually on the ground wire, when you switch to regular headlights the ground gets switched by a relay to one with no resistor.

I have some wiring diagrams, what year and model do you have.

Charger92

I guess I forgot the year part, sorry.

It's a 1991, 4runner, 3.0, auto, 4x

Right now the DRL's are exactly the same brightness as the low beams.
Maybe the current resistor is burnt out or something.
As soon as I let off the ebrake the lows come on.

eric-the-red

I know on my 93 the resistor was on the inner driver side fender, near the coil and igniter, it had a 'Warning Hot' label on it. It was a Canadian model so it had DRL installed at the factory. Could be yours has some other kind of set up that doesn't use a resistor. On both my 4Runners there was a definite difference between the DRL and low beams.

Here's a link to a 1993 truck manual, hopefully it'll be similar enough to yours that you'll be able to figure it out.

http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/

Charger92

Thanks Eric.
I had a look last night on the drivers inner fender and didn't see anything that looked to be for lights.
I looked for a plug that matched the one in the manual you linked too. Nothing.
I did see one little rectifier looking thing with 2 wires coming out and tried unpluging them but the lights did nothing.
Nothing labled HOT either.
Maybe the 91 is different, I'll have to find someone around here with a 91 and see.
Maybe start tracing wires down. Boy fun!
Thanks for your help.

Belize Off Road Team

Youre right Charger92...the wireing set-up on 1990/91 is different to 1992+. due to the change in wiring, lights and all that other jazz. But if you find out how to remove the DRL on a 1991 4Runner, would you please email me at jill_kiwi_nz@hotmail.com or Serenity_Sands@yahoo.ca

leebee

there is a lengthly thread about disabling the drl system. iirc, one spot is located either behind or below the ashtray pullout. clip one wire and drl's are non operational.

you may want to run that question regarding dimming the drl's past 4crawler, he is an ee (elec eng) and may have some ideas.

lee