DRL and the Green wire mod - LotusTalk

MichaelB · 06-12-2006, 09:23 PM

How to disable Daytime Running Lights

1. Remove the upper and lower steering column covers (6 screws ). Removing the trip reset button connector is recommended.
2. Remove the instument cluster cover (four spring clips, pull toward the steeing wheel, do not pull on the instrument shroud, only on the sides).
3. Remove instrument cluster (4 screws).
4. Remove the two lower column cover mounting brackets (4 screws).
5. Gently remove the instrument cluster, disconnect connectors (2).
6. Two machine screws hold the Switch Pack module to a dash bracket. Don't drop them!
7. Gently pull out the Switch Pack module.
8. As part of the harness you will see a green wire with a connector. Pull the wires appart and secure the loose ends with tie wraps to the harness.
9. Test and Reassmble. Be careful with the instrument cluster connectors and cable routing.

Now your headlights work like an '05.

Note it might be possible to get at the harness from the side panel, but I doubt it.

Randy Chase · 06-12-2006, 09:43 PM

Excellent write up. Welcome to the forum and thanks!

Rugbyduck · 06-12-2006, 10:32 PM

But why? I have a KG Elise and people STILL cannot see me!

Can't imagine this would help. I am not fond of the lights myself, just from an appearance point of view but...
Putting a bike flag on the back next!

The write up from a "one poster" is great! The pictures really help. Posts like this make ET a great place to find out more about the little car.

codymac · 06-14-2006, 04:59 PM

Thanks, I really appreciate the excellent writeup.

The only thing I'll add is that the female side of the bullet connector is the hot side. I heatshrinked mine to prevent any possibility of grounding against anything in the dash.

Fuse #7 (10A), Ignition Services, is the DRL fuse. Unfortunately, pulling the fuse also disables the starting circuit.

Red05Elise · 06-15-2006, 03:06 PM

what daytime running lights do you speak of? I have running lights that go on and off by my command, nothing that is always on.

codymac · 06-15-2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red05Elise

what daytime running lights do you speak of? I have running lights that go on and off by my command, nothing that is always on.

2006 North American market.

TimMullen · 06-15-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red05Elise

what daytime running lights do you speak of? I have running lights that go on and off by my command, nothing that is always on.

2006 Elise's have been modified to have DRLs - the low beams on whenever the ignition is on (a required change to meet Canadian standards). Disconnecting the "green wire" defeats that function.

®ob · 06-15-2006, 04:57 PM

Call me crazy...but I like having them. Makes car more noticeable, and it's great in the dusk/dawn. I'm so lazy I love not pushing a button.

codymac · 06-15-2006, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ®ob

Call me crazy...

Crazy!

Personally, I like having the option.

tintmasters · 06-16-2006, 04:00 PM

I did this a week or so ago. The DRL's were driving me nuts.

This can be done, no problem, without taking out the cluster. If you take out the light/ starter panel, you can see the switch pack. Follow the wiring harness, you will see the bullet connector. Unplug it and tape the bare end. I have the worlds largest hands, and I had no problem reaching in there.

codymac · 06-16-2006, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tintmasters

This can be done, no problem, without taking out the cluster.

Really wish you'd told me that two days ago.

tintmasters · 06-16-2006, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codymac

Really wish you'd told me that two days ago.

Sorry, I just saw the thread.

ScubaJKD · 06-16-2006, 09:20 PM

How do you remove the light starter panel?

tintmasters · 06-16-2006, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaJKD

How do you remove the light starter panel?

2 phillips screws on the bottom of it. Then Push down while pulling the bottom of the panel out. Pops off quite easily.

Nickxpax · 07-15-2006, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tintmasters

I did this a week or so ago. The DRL's were driving me nuts.

This can be done, no problem, without taking out the cluster. If you take out the light/ starter panel, you can see the switch pack. Follow the wiring harness, you will see the bullet connector. Unplug it and tape the bare end. I have the worlds largest hands, and I had no problem reaching in there.

I tried your method and it worked great...the hardest part was getting the wire unplugged...I'm sure all the abrasions on my wrist will heal in time

MikeW · 07-16-2006, 12:51 PM

I could use some help. I have an '06. The dealer installed HID high and low beams. The low beams go on when you turn the ignition switch, then go out when you crank the starter and boot up again when the engine starts. Not good for HID life.

The dash lights go on only if you press the upper switch button. Then the small incandescent bulbs in the lower headlight reflectors go on too. It seems senseless for low beam HIDs to be on and have the small bulbs on also. I don't understand if any of this is correct or if the dealer switched things around during the HID install. Are the small bulbs the DRLs people are referring to?

First off, what is correct for the '06 models? You say your procedure will make the lights function like an 05. I don't want the low beam HIDs going unless I press the button. I don't care about the small incandescents bulbs.

codymac · 07-16-2006, 01:19 PM

That's how '06 models with DRLs behave.

The small bulbs are the front parking lamps, (I'll add some trivia about that below).

I'm not sure of the wiring, as I've yet to see an '06 diagram, but unless your dealer somehow tapped into the wiring for the DRLs to switch on the HIDs, (which is very unlikely even practical), you should just have to follow the directions above to disable them. This will make the headlights behave like a "normal" car - you switch them on and off.

trivia: Not sure how things are now, but it used to be illegal to drive in populated areas in England with your headlamps on (think way back, early autos). Manufacturers fitted "pilot lights," which were what the small incandescent bulbs are. In a populated area, you were supposed to only run with the pilot light, which was just enough light to illuminate the reflector. I guess it stuck, and that's typical for European "parking lamps" today.

xtn · 07-16-2006, 01:53 PM

Thanks for reviving this thread guys. This is the first thing I'm going to do when I get my car back.

xtn

kestrel74 · 07-16-2006, 02:04 PM

" Cut the green wire " ( Thats what they ALL say right before the big explosion ! ) Great info tho for your first post !

Imolas54 · 08-09-2006, 06:45 PM

Damn great mod! was getting really tired of that DRL

06-12-2006, 09:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
MichaelB Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 10	DRL and the Green wire mod How to disable Daytime Running Lights 1. Remove the upper and lower steering column covers (6 screws ). Removing the trip reset button connector is recommended. 2. Remove the instument cluster cover (four spring clips, pull toward the steeing wheel, do not pull on the instrument shroud, only on the sides). 3. Remove instrument cluster (4 screws). 4. Remove the two lower column cover mounting brackets (4 screws). 5. Gently remove the instrument cluster, disconnect connectors (2). 6. Two machine screws hold the Switch Pack module to a dash bracket. Don't drop them! 7. Gently pull out the Switch Pack module. 8. As part of the harness you will see a green wire with a connector. Pull the wires appart and secure the loose ends with tie wraps to the harness. 9. Test and Reassmble. Be careful with the instrument cluster connectors and cable routing. Now your headlights work like an '05. Note it might be possible to get at the harness from the side panel, but I doubt it. Attached Images

06-12-2006, 09:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego Posts: 28,276 Images: 761	Excellent write up. Welcome to the forum and thanks! __________________ www.theadrenalinegallery.com www.chasecam.com

06-12-2006, 10:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rugbyduck Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 2,806	But why? I have a KG Elise and people STILL cannot see me! Can't imagine this would help. I am not fond of the lights myself, just from an appearance point of view but... Putting a bike flag on the back next! The write up from a "one poster" is great! The pictures really help. Posts like this make ET a great place to find out more about the little car. __________________ '06 Krypton Green Elise (touring/LSD/HT) '05 Magnetic Blue Elise (sport/HT) dedicated track car '07 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (4 door!) Excelsior-Henderson Super X/Ducati Monster 620 ie 3 Series BMW/Acura MDX Carver Yacht

06-14-2006, 04:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
codymac short angry bloke Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: where the east tapers out and the west begins Posts: 9,287 Images: 19	Thanks, I really appreciate the excellent writeup. The only thing I'll add is that the female side of the bullet connector is the hot side. I heatshrinked mine to prevent any possibility of grounding against anything in the dash. Fuse #7 (10A), Ignition Services, is the DRL fuse. Unfortunately, pulling the fuse also disables the starting circuit. Attached Images __________________ torque (tôrk) n. - an excuse for the lack of momentum. - let's bring back CanAm & Group B! - have you hugged your Exige today? I'm currently working on my performance driving merit badge. There's always somebody faster, sometimes it's me.

06-16-2006, 04:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
tintmasters Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mid West Posts: 55	I did this a week or so ago. The DRL's were driving me nuts. This can be done, no problem, without taking out the cluster. If you take out the light/ starter panel, you can see the switch pack. Follow the wiring harness, you will see the bullet connector. Unplug it and tape the bare end. I have the worlds largest hands, and I had no problem reaching in there. __________________ shane noble tintmasters m o t o r s p o r t s www.tintmasters.net Fargo, ND Grand Forks, ND Burnsville, MN "Serving the upper Midwest since 1995" '06 Exige. CO, TP, LSD/TC, Stage II, CAI '06 Sti. Steel Gray, www.projectsti.net '07 Tahoe. soon to be on 26's (hauler) '05 Magnum. Graphite, 22's, Dropped '98 Type R. Custom paint, JDM, ITB's, '99 R1. Blue, Lots of carbon '06 CRF50. Red, Big Bore, Goodies

06-15-2006, 03:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
Red05Elise Loves rolling burnouts Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wilmington, DE Posts: 223	what daytime running lights do you speak of? I have running lights that go on and off by my command, nothing that is always on.

06-15-2006, 04:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
®ob What's a registered user? Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Austin Posts: 1,109	Call me crazy...but I like having them. Makes car more noticeable, and it's great in the dusk/dawn. I'm so lazy I love not pushing a button.

06-16-2006, 09:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
ScubaJKD 2006 Artic Silver Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 221	How do you remove the light starter panel? __________________ Absorb What is Usefull, Reject What is Useless, and Add What is Specifically Your Own!!!

07-16-2006, 12:51 PM	#16 (permalink)
MikeW Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,373	I could use some help. I have an '06. The dealer installed HID high and low beams. The low beams go on when you turn the ignition switch, then go out when you crank the starter and boot up again when the engine starts. Not good for HID life. The dash lights go on only if you press the upper switch button. Then the small incandescent bulbs in the lower headlight reflectors go on too. It seems senseless for low beam HIDs to be on and have the small bulbs on also. I don't understand if any of this is correct or if the dealer switched things around during the HID install. Are the small bulbs the DRLs people are referring to? First off, what is correct for the '06 models? You say your procedure will make the lights function like an 05. I don't want the low beam HIDs going unless I press the button. I don't care about the small incandescents bulbs.

07-16-2006, 01:19 PM	#17 (permalink)
codymac short angry bloke Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: where the east tapers out and the west begins Posts: 9,287 Images: 19	That's how '06 models with DRLs behave. The small bulbs are the front parking lamps, (I'll add some trivia about that below). I'm not sure of the wiring, as I've yet to see an '06 diagram, but unless your dealer somehow tapped into the wiring for the DRLs to switch on the HIDs, (which is very unlikely even practical), you should just have to follow the directions above to disable them. This will make the headlights behave like a "normal" car - you switch them on and off. trivia: Not sure how things are now, but it used to be illegal to drive in populated areas in England with your headlamps on (think way back, early autos). Manufacturers fitted "pilot lights," which were what the small incandescent bulbs are. In a populated area, you were supposed to only run with the pilot light, which was just enough light to illuminate the reflector. I guess it stuck, and that's typical for European "parking lamps" today. __________________ torque (tôrk) n. - an excuse for the lack of momentum. - let's bring back CanAm & Group B! - have you hugged your Exige today? I'm currently working on my performance driving merit badge. There's always somebody faster, sometimes it's me.

07-16-2006, 01:53 PM	#18 (permalink)
xtn McLareghini Bugatterrari Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 6,894	Thanks for reviving this thread guys. This is the first thing I'm going to do when I get my car back. xtn __________________ 2006 McLareghini Bugatterrari, Storm Titanium... <mods> installed: air horn, Scroth 4-point ASM harnesses, Sector111 halon extinguisher and mounting bracket, Von Hep exhaust and rear panel delete, Pagid brake pads, red Volks CE28n wheels, Toyo RA-1 tires, Nitron SA coilovers, Sector111 (WorksBell) quick-disconnect steering wheel kit. awaiting installation: Scroth "pull-up" lap belts, Sector111 RTD Brace, Tony's heater bypass mod, and dropped steering rack mounting plates. </mods>

07-16-2006, 02:04 PM	#19 (permalink)
kestrel74 G-200 Driver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North of Detroit; Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 9,733	" Cut the green wire " ( Thats what they ALL say right before the big explosion ! ) Great info tho for your first post ! __________________ 74 Europa Zetec TC Special 3614R Elise #2292 / CO/Starshield/Nitron Sport SA/RTDbrace/Uprights machined/Down Low rails/ChaseCam w/DM10/V1/SS lines w/Pagid Black/G-Pan/Rota-Hoosier R6 "My daily driver does .85 Mach" " I started flying when Sex was safe and Hang Gliding was dangerous " BUY My Europa ! http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/...pa-sale-43829/

08-09-2006, 06:45 PM	#20 (permalink)
Imolas54 ToYoTa dRiVeR Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,484	Damn great mod! was getting really tired of that DRL

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