Properly (temporarily) disabling DRLs

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

How to Properly Disable Your DRLs



Most know I'm not a proponent of this, but since they are not a legal requirement in the US, I found this and will pass it on. If you have been following my Rear Fog Light thread, you might have seen where a project in the offing is a switch that will allow you to selectively disable them, with automatic reset to on, when the ignition is turned off the on again.

You can also simply wire a two pole (on/off) switch into the circuit, but when they are off they are off, and must be turned back on manually. If you want help with this option, let me know. A 30 min. job max.

Turning OFF Your New Beetle's Daytime Running Lights

MORAV

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

How to Properly Disable Your DRLs



Most know I'm not a proponent of this, but since they are not a legal requirement in the US, I found this and will pass it on. If you have been following my Rear Fog Light thread, you might have seen where a project in the offing is a switch that will allow you to selectively disable them, with automatic reset to on, when the ignition is turned off the on again.

You can also simply wire a two pole (on/off) switch into the circuit, but when they are off they are off, and must be turned back on manually. If you want help with this option, let me know. A 30 min. job max.

Turning OFF Your New Beetle's Daytime Running Lights

MORAV

Why? Bending the pin can be done in less than a minute... Also, removing the relay can be done in less than 10....

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Fl_bug

Why? Bending the pin can be done in less than a minute... Also, removing the relay can be done in less than 10....

1) Pin Bending Method
I have read here on the Org about the pin bending concept. I have also read where people have attempted this and had problems bending the pin completely so that the plug would come back together properly. Also, once bent there is a strong likely hood that the pin will not "unbend" without breaking, in the advent it is decided to reenable the DRLs. One poster only wanted to disable the DRLs for a parage or something, but wanted them back afterwards. (I always advise against doing things that can not be undone.)

2) Electrical Tape to Isolate the Pin
I have also read where the problems Orgers have had with this method is getting the tape to stay on the pin while the plug is being reinserted into the switch.

3) Clip the Lead for the DRLs on the Down Side of the Switch
This is an easy effective way to disable the DRLs and be able to re-instate the feature. Two problems with this however, some don't like the idea of cutting wires, and when (and if) you go to splice it back together, to do so properly requires soldiering the connection. Not all ppl have the ability or equipment. Forget soldierless connectors and wirenuts.

4) Removal of the Relay (Modification of the Relay)
Yes, this is, as you stated, a ten minute job, or less. The problem, as stated in the piece, is that at the same time your are disabling the DRLs you are disabling the "Brake ON Light" light in the cluster, which for you, if you never use the hand brake, or NEVER fail to release it completely, is not a problem. For others, maybe not. That is why, you don't simply remove the relay, but open the relay and disable the DRL circuit within as explained in the piece. This is why I suggested that this was probably no more than a 30 minute project.

5) Adding a Switch into the DRL Circuit
If someone wants the ability to selectively turn off their DRLs, this is an easy mod. It simply involves inserting a switch into the DRL circuit on the down side of the headlight switch, at the same point you would clip the wire as mentioned in number 3 above.

Hope this helps you to better undersatnd the "why"!

I am looking into producing a module that when coupled with a switch, will offer the ability to have them ON as designed, OFF ALWAYS as some want, or OFF with an automatic reset to ON when the ignition is turned off then back on.

M.

[Mutato]

I used bent pin and if I want to go back to DRL (why) I'd put the stock switch back in.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Mutato

I used bent pin and if I want to go back to DRL (why) I'd put the stock switch back in.

Without getting into the banter that has gone on, on other threads, you might decide the safety factor outweighs the "wow" factor prevelent with those wanting to disable them, OR the Federal or State Lighting Regs may update requiring them to be displayed in any vehicle so equipped.

Also, as time moves on, and cars attain collector of status of significance (of which the TS may become one), the value is always more when stock.

Many are modding the stock switch and don't have that option. You don't have to have the Euroswitch to do the mod.

M.

[Tico4Life]

I bent the #8 pin
I don't plan on having them on ever again but, on the first attempt I bent the wrong pin and then bent it back w/o any issues.

[Palmettoguy]

Electrical tape all the way

[SMG]

Yep electrical tape is the way to go. Takes 30 seconds to cut a piece of tape and put it over the pin.