Daytime Running Lights - Disabling?

[lanaina]

Others may disagree, but I am persuaded that DRL's are little more than an energy drain and that we are sentient beings and should be capable of controlling our own vehicle functions. Indeed, the presence of DRL's on a vehicle may tend to delay turning on the vehicle's headlamps at night, resulting in NO illumination of tailights.

The dealer says that these are federally mandated. However in truth, there is no such federal law or regulation.

Does anyone know how to disable DRL's on the B9 Tribeca?

Gary K.

[nycb9]

Engaging the emergency brake disables the DRLs (I don't know why Subaru has it designed this way). Anyway, there must be a way to locate the switch tied to the emergency brake and permanently disable the DRLs independent of engaging the brake.

Good Luck...Joe

[HB_Dad]

Indeed, the presence of DRL's on a vehicle may tend to delay turning on the vehicle's headlamps at night, resulting in NO illumination of tailights.
Only with real stupid drivers. The rest of us instinctivly turn on our headlights at night the moment we start out cars along with fastening seatbelts etc. :lol:

Try to come up with them as you will, but there is no valid reason to disable the DRL's. Its kind of like asking for a way to disable the driver's airbag...

(P.S., this isn't actually aimed at you personally, but I've heard people ask about this before and I cannot understand where people are coming from on this one)

[Peaty]

One thing you should know about the e-brake, DRL's and brake fluid level. They are all linked. The red "Brake" light will come on under two conditions. One - the e-brake is set, Two - the level in the brake fluid tank goes low (prox switch when float gets low enough). Both of these things will turn off the DRL's. The reason I was told that the DRL's go off with the e-brake is if you are parked in a drive in movie you need to have your lights off and or parked on the side of the road. Some countries you are supposed to have only your "parking lights" on when you are parked and not your headlamps. Which is the reason we have the switch on top of the steering wheel.

details here:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1803

As far as how to disable the DRL's, on some scoobies it's as easy as unplugging a resistor by a strut tower in the front. My Forester, is like that. However I think it's harder on the B9. I think you need to unplug something that is behind the glovebox. I never really looked into it because I like having DRL's myself but realize it's really up to the individual.

edit: I just checked the relay wiring diagram and it seems to be up under the dash (I have no idea how far) on the drivers side behind the speedo area I think. Looks like the module has two harnesses plugged into it. Each harness has a fair amount of wires. I'm not sure unplugging the harness would only disable the DRL's it may make other things not function.

[lanaina]

One thing you should know about the e-brake, DRL's and brake fluid level. They are all linked. The red "Brake" light will come on under two conditions. One - the e-brake is set, Two - the level in the brake fluid tank goes low (prox switch when float gets low enough). Both of these things will turn off the DRL's. The reason I was told that the DRL's go off with the e-brake is if you are parked in a drive in movie you need to have your lights off and or parked on the side of the road. Some countries you are supposed to have only your "parking lights" on when you are parked and not your headlamps. Which is the reason we have the switch on top of the steering wheel.

details here:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1803

As far as how to disable the DRL's, on some scoobies it's as easy as unplugging a resistor by a strut tower in the front. My Forester, is like that. However I think it's harder on the B9. I think you need to unplug something that is behind the glovebox. I never really looked into it because I like having DRL's myself but realize it's really up to the individual.

edit: I just checked the relay wiring diagram and it seems to be up under the dash (I have no idea how far) on the drivers side behind the speedo area I think. Looks like the module has two harnesses plugged into it. Each harness has a fair amount of wires. I'm not sure unplugging the harness would only disable the DRL's it may make other things not function.

thanks for the info. I am sure there will be more on this as more B9's ship.

[lanaina]

Only with real stupid drivers. The rest of us instinctivly turn on our headlights at night the moment we start out cars along with fastening seatbelts etc. :lol:

Try to come up with them as you will, but there is no valid reason to disable the DRL's. Its kind of like asking for a way to disable the driver's airbag...

(P.S., this isn't actually aimed at you personally, but I've heard people ask about this before and I cannot understand where people are coming from on this one)

There is no valid reason to have DRL's. Not a single controlled study has linked them to increased safety. OTOH, airbags have well documented safety benefits; the notion of disabling airbags is not at all similar to disabling DRL's.

[HB_Dad]

There is no valid reason to have DRL's. Not a single controlled study has linked them to increased safety. OTOH, airbags have well documented safety benefits; the notion of disabling airbags is not at all similar to disabling DRL's.

Next time you are on the freeway, glance at oncoming traffic out of the corner of your eye and tell me the ones with DRL's don't stand out first... :rolleyes:

[shootist]

We just leave the headlights on ours al the time. They cut off automatically when the car is cut off.

[Blizzard]

We just leave the headlights on ours al the time. They cut off automatically when the car is cut off.

Ditto

[ok-cami]

Has anyone yet disabled the Tribeca's DRL's? If so, please describe how.

I followed the posted directions to disable the DRL's for the Legacy & Outback, but the wiring underneath the dash for the Tribeca is very different.

I have installed a ProLumen H7 HID kit and do not want the lights to flicker when the switch is in the "off" position as that can destroy the HID's.

I know that by leaving the switch permanently in the "on" position, the flickering problem is solved. But, I would prefer to have the option to turn off the lights altogether.

If requested, does anyone know if dealers will disable the DRL's?

I would appreciate any help/advice.

Thanks.

[rawr215]

i definitly would like to disable this

I would want to put an HID kit in as well

[ok-cami]

For the H7 HID kit, talk to Matt at Umnitza here:

http://www.umnitza.com

[rawr215]

why get aftermarkets when you can get OEM quality kits?

anyway, we are trying to disable the DRL Lights, not advertise cheap HID kits

[ok-cami]

Hey rawr215, what's with the tone of your reply?
A. To my knowledge, there is not an OEM HID kit available. Kindly correct me if I am wrong.
B. You stated that you wanted to install an HID kit and I was giving you (and other board members) the contact information regarding the kit that I installed. Isn't that the spirit of this website/forum -- sharing of information?
BTW: The kit appears well constructed and has a lifetime guarantee.

Regards,

ok-cami

[DomozitoLK]

I just checked the relay wiring diagram and it seems to be up under the dash (I have no idea how far) on the drivers side behind the speedo area I think. Looks like the module has two harnesses plugged into it. Each harness has a fair amount of wires. I'm not sure unplugging the harness would only disable the DRL's it may make other things not function.

My wife and I just got a 2006 B9 Tribeca LTD 7-passenger on Friday. I've unplugged the DRL box on the passenger side of my 2004 WRX and want to do the same on the Tribeca.

Peaty, can you send me the wiring diagram?

LMK, thanks!

Rob
domozitolk@yahoo.com

[Peaty]

The wiring diagram does not show the location but the harness plug setup does. I posted it on this site somewhere I'm not positve. The thing is it's somewhere deep behind the center console. Behind the radio somewhere, it's not easy to get to like the Impreza's platform.

[geekasso]

Hello,

Did anyone figure out how to disable the DRL's? I had an HID kit installed, and now when my lights are off, the relays send underpowered voltage to the HID's causing them to flicker (strobe like). For those who are opposed to disabling the DRL's, this is a valid reason to have them off.

I asked the installer to move them to my fog lights, but he recommended I don't do that, except disable them.

They couldn't determine where to disable it and if any other problems may arise. As of right now, I use my emergency brake to turn them off prior to turning off the car. Then when I start the car, I release the foot brake to turn them on.

Thank you in advance.

[hawker800mech]

I was looking at the schematics the other day and it looks like there is no easy way to disable them. To me, it looks like if you disconnect the DRL module that you may not have high beems. It looks like they get their ground through the DRL module. I couldn't see anything to disconnect that wouldn't result in something else not working. The only thing I can see is to cut the "Gr" (green?) wire at the DRL module to remove the switching ground for the module. Maybe someone else can see if I missed anything obvious.

[geekasso]

I was looking at the schematics the other day and it looks like there is no easy way to disable them. To me, it looks like if you disconnect the DRL module that you may not have high beems. It looks like they get their ground through the DRL module. I couldn't see anything to disconnect that wouldn't result in something else not working. The only thing I can see is to cut the "Gr" (green?) wire at the DRL module to remove the switching ground for the module. Maybe someone else can see if I missed anything obvious.

Thank you for your input. I am taking it back to the shop today, hopefully they can figure it out.

[DomozitoLK]

I take it no new updates or revelations on this?

[fidodaputa]

I was just wondering that if I put the e-brake just one click down would that affect anything? By that I mean does it damage the car or other parts of the car.

[rawr215]

Hey rawr215, what's with the tone of your reply?
A. To my knowledge, there is not an OEM HID kit available. Kindly correct me if I am wrong.
B. You stated that you wanted to install an HID kit and I was giving you (and other board members) the contact information regarding the kit that I installed. Isn't that the spirit of this website/forum -- sharing of information?
BTW: The kit appears well constructed and has a lifetime guarantee.

Regards,

ok-cami

Ok-Cami,
Might be a bit late to respond but...
You can buy oem kits from places like www.hidplanet.com (http://www.hidplanet.com) and their D2S to H7 Converter http://www.hidplanet.com/H72D2.html and there you have it. OEM quailty right there.


fidodaputa, please don't put ur ebrakes on 1 click and drive lol. That don't sound good at all. I am not sure if the ebrakes slows teh car down with 1 click on, but i wouldn't want to try

[Magic Marker]

I was just wondering that if I put the e-brake just one click down would that affect anything? By that I mean does it damage the car or other parts of the car.
That is not worth doing for HID's. I'm not going to do the switch until there is a reversible way to disengage the DRL's.

[jpra923]

Anyone figure this out yet?

[tribeb9ca]

I figured it out! I have an 07 and the module is in the back of the gauge. There are two connectors white and black. The pic is for reference in this post (http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php?p=365165&postcount=20).

I couldn't take pictures as camera can't capture the module in the back.

Steps:
1. Remove Bottom Cover.
2. Remove Side Cover.
3. Now you can see the Module way in the back through the side, Reach up to feel tab .
4. Unplug the White connector
5. Cut or remove pin from connector (Orange wire next to Black wire) the same location as pic above post.
6. Plug connector back in.
7. Test your lights.

This will disable the Low Beam, allowing you to use HID and keep the park/city lights and taillights operational for DRL.

NOTE: this is for an 07 Tribeca, the wires may differ in color and location for an 06.

[metsfan999]

Anyone figure this out for an 08+ Tribeca?

[speedys4]

I have had my e-brake grounded since I bought my 2006 Tribeca to bypass DRL to prevent my HID flickering. I have tried to look for the DRL unit itself several times in the past with no luck.

Today I decided to give it another try after some research on multiple forums and web sites. THE DRL is finally OFF! Pictures and instructions below.

PERFORM MOD AT YOUR OWN RISK, I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE IF YOU DAMAGE YOUR CAR.

Take off driver side right kick panel by removing the plastic screw and tug on the panel
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/1.JPG

Loosen driver side bottom panel by removing 3 plastic screw
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/2.JPG

To completely detach the panel remove the 4 Phillip screws holding the OBD plug reader and the plug for the light
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/3.JPG
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/4.JPG

Remove the side panel by slowly pulling it out from the bottom
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/5.JPG

Now we need to take off the panel right under the steering wheel. First take off the plastic screw on the picture and then the panel can be detached by slowly tugging it outwards
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/6.JPG

Remove the 3 plugs to completely take the panel out
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/7.JPG

This part should be optional but I choose to removed it anyway to make accessing the DRL unit easier. Remove the metal plate by unscrewing (4) 10mm bolts. Be careful with the cabin temperature sensor that still attached to the bottom right of the plate, you can simply lay the plate against the right kick panel and floor
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/8.JPG

Now we need to remove the fuse panel by unscrewing (3) 10mm bolts
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/9.JPG

Take out the (2) white plugs pointed at the picture and the fuse box can lay towards the bottom to make accessing the room behind it easier. Don't mess with the yellow plugs (Airbags)!!
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/10.JPG

Behind the fuse box there is another metal plate. Take off the (2) 12mm bolts holding it
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/11.JPG

Now you can start seeing the DRL unit. I'll start with the general location from this zoomed out pic. The position of the DRL unit is right behind the metal that's circled in the picture
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/12.JPG

Zooming in... and you can see the white plug
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/13.JPG

And that's the unit that we're looking for. It has 2 plug (white and black) connected to it
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/14.JPG

The unit itself is held on a metal frame and you can slide it off with a little force. You should see the box with the following number 84067XA00A, made in USA
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/15.JPG

Take out the white plug and disconnect the pin circled in the picture. You can disconnect the pin by first, taking the 'lock' off the plug (see picture) and then pushing the pin out. Note the location of the pin since the color might be different for newer Tribeca
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/16.JPG
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/17.JPG
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/18.JPG
http://www.ericsoetanto.com/dacrib/19.JPG

I'd probably test the light/DRL out first before putting everything back together in the reverse order. REMEMBER to plug the white plug back to the DRL Unit after disconnecting the wire/pin! It won't work if you leave it unplugged, don't forget to cover the pin with some electrical tape as well. To start the car you need to put the 2 white plugs back to the fusebox, the rest can wait until you're done validating if everything works.

[h82bslo]

that's good write up and pix. thanks