Fog to DRL conversion carried out today

[dpbayly]

Well after getting my LED fog light bulbs last night my plan was to possibly use them as DRL's and do away with the fogs (which are not a legal requirement) anyway I've just popped into work and carried out the mod and it works perfect:

Here's some pics of the LED bulbs in daylight that i took today (obviously along with side lights as you cant run fogs without them when functioning as fogs):

Now this evening i started by finding a switched with the ignition power source in the engine bay to use as switched power to activate the 5 pin relay.

I used this one (small grey and red) this becomes live when ignition is switched on this is connected to pin 86:

I then found an earthing point near by to connect to pin 85, now these connections are done the relay now switches when ignition is on:

I used the power steering reservoir securing bolt as an earth:

I then connected to the live side of the battery and connected within 4 inches a 10a fuse to protect the circuit:

once fused this wire is connected to pin 87.

Then pin 30 is split with 2 wires and these 2 wires go down to the front fogs and you then need to snip the fog light live wires at the plug and connect the wire off pin 30 to the fog light side of the circuit, so to not get a fog light bulb out warning light message up on the dash you will need to buy a pair of 50w 6ohm resistors i bought these of ebay:

UK STOCK 2x LED bulb TURN signal Light Load Resistor 50W 6OHM Fix Error Flash | eBay

these will need to be connected to car side of the snipped fog light positive wiring and then to earth so the car thinks the bulb is still there and OK, mines not wired up yet as i only ordered them today so i just taped off the wire till it arrives.

Here's a quick sketch of the wiring of the relay:

i used a 5 pin relay because im considering also wiring them so the DRL's come on when the car is unlocked and car is switched off along with the interior light, this works because when the ignition is off the relay pin 30 is connected to pin 87a (currently with nothing wire to it) and when ignition is switched on pin 30 is then connected to pin 87 (12V power), to make it so the DRL's come on when unlocking you need to feed a 12v power source through a 4 pin relay activated off the interior lights, its done through another relay so there's no feed back issues.

Ive wired them so there on all the time while the engine is running they could very simply be wired so they go off when headlights are turned on if wanted.

Here's a short vid showing them working:

LED fogs now wired as DRL's - YouTube

 

[SmoothAssault]

Really impressive, nice work!

 

[quattrojames]

Nice work, do they go off when the headlights come on then?

 

[Chris-gsxr]

What led bulbs are they? Looks good!

 

[dpbayly]

Nice work, do they go off when the headlights come on then?

Thanks,

No i didn't want them to go off, there not that bright like some OEM ones that have to dim when lights are turned on that said it is easy to make them go off by wiring in another 5 pin relay that cuts the power when the headlights are turned on.

 

[dpbayly]

What led bulbs are they? Looks good!

Thanks,

These are the bulbs i fitted:

H11 XENON WHITE HIGH POWER 7.5W CANBUS LED CAR FOG LIGHT LED BULBS (pair) | eBay

 

[hades-]

but what about when the plod stop you ?

 

[dpbayly]

but what about when the plod stop you ?

Well there not wired as fogs (fogs can only be switched on when at least side lights are on) so there's no difference between mine and the round DRL's fitted some new cars only difference is mine are not as bright, its just the same as if i removed the fog light and just replaced it with these:

2 x Car 4 LED Round DRL Daytime Running Day Driving Bulb Kit Fog Light Lamps 12V | eBay

 

[marktdisport]

Not for me sorry IMO if I see front fogs lit up in the day it's usually a saxo or a pug 106 being driven with is cap backwards around mcd....

 

[dpbayly]

No thats cool your never going to please everyone.

But by definition as quoted:


fog lamp n
(Engineering / Automotive Engineering) a powerful light for use in foggy conditions, usually positioned low down on the front or rear of a road vehicle, can only be operated while headlights are running.

DRLs
Definition
Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) are white lights mounted on the front of an automobile. Mandated in many countries, they automatically switch on when the key is turned and are intended for daytime use, to increase the visibility of the automobile. They are typically built with LEDs.

As you can see just because Ive utilized the fog light units by definition they way there wired with the lower power LED bulbs they become DRLs...fact.

 

[marktdisport]

No thats cool your never going to please everyone.

But by definition as quoted:


fog lamp n
(Engineering / Automotive Engineering) a powerful light for use in foggy conditions, usually positioned low down on the front or rear of a road vehicle, can only be operated while headlights are running.

DRLs
Definition
Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) are white lights mounted on the front of an automobile. Mandated in many countries, they automatically switch on when the key is turned and are intended for daytime use, to increase the visibility of the automobile. They are typically built with LEDs.

As you can see just because Ive utilized the fog light units by definition they way there wired with the lower power LED bulbs they become DRLs...fact.

thanks for the positive reply m8 just my own opinion, I applaud you for having a try at things though so well done for that buddy...my bro brought a 08 plate mk5 gti few weeks ago and someone had changed that to drl but it was all the headlights on at all times he's had them changed backed to switched again now... This was because if the switch was off then the rear lights was not on but the headlights was on and also the dash was lit up so he could drive around with no tail lights lol

 

[Chris-gsxr]

Can you get some pics of these on at night please? What I want to know is do the light up the road as much as normal bulbs do?
I've changed my side lights to led and dipped beam to Ice whites and they look good but they enhance how yellow my spot bulbs look now. These look like a good option if they are bright enough
.

 

[dpbayly]

Can you get some pics of these on at night please? What I want to know is do the light up the road as much as normal bulbs do?
I've changed my side lights to led and dipped beam to Ice whites and they look good but they enhance how yellow my spot bulbs look now. These look like a good option if they are bright enough
.

There not as bright as the 55w standard fog light bulbs thats how i can get a way with them on as drl's and not dazzle other drivers,

They light up a little in front but by no means flood lit, here's a pic i took showing one of each bulb fitted:

you can see the glare difference easily

 

[Ste_Nova]

thanks for the positive reply m8 just my own opinion, I applaud you for having a try at things though so well done for that buddy...my bro brought a 08 plate mk5 gti few weeks ago and someone had changed that to drl but it was all the headlights on at all times he's had them changed backed to switched again now... This was because if the switch was off then the rear lights was not on but the headlights was on and also the dash was lit up so he could drive around with no tail lights lol

mk5 golfs are set up with DRLS using the main beam at half brightness

 

[hitman1978]

I'm going to do this myself this weekend, think my car has suddenly become invisible

 

[Wahlstrom]

Hi..
I'm doing something similar like this..
But couldn't you just code the car to Canada.
I've done it, and mine lights up like yours, except no relays..

I've been looking at some German forums, using Google Translate.

My plan is to code the car to ROW, so NO lights are on during daytime, then when night comes, it switches to low beam( AUTO function).
But since driving without lights( either DRL or low beam) here, is illegal, I need to add some "DRLs"(despite it's also illegal, but can be undone with VCDS, and cops usually don't notice it)

Now, I've found some information about the switch which holds several wires to be "played" with..

Here is a method, but it's only doable with a switch WITHOUT Auto function
http://www.a4-freunde.com/showwiki.php?title=NSW+als+TFL+im+B6


I've been wondering where the TFL (DRL) wire goes to..
Originally, B6 aren't fitted with DRL(TFL)..

Don't know if it helps? Or even what you wanted?
Like I said, I would like it too, but ONLY fogs to be lit..

An alternative is to buy this complete module, and then the DRL would look like the A6.
It uses the highbeam bulb(not xenon) and lights it up at 25 %, so it's like DRL..

That could also be an option(at least for me)
http://www.a4-freunde.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6944&d=1270847970


The module is bought here:
http://daylightrunning.de/html/audi.html

 

[Wahlstrom]

Like so:

 

[GeoffDunk]

All, please be aware that utilising your fog lights as DRL's is illegal in the UK. This will become a check in the updated MOT rules either late 2013 or early 2014 in which case this conversion will fail the MOT.

Personally, I can't see the reason why someone would want a new legislated feature fitting to an older vehicle. Pre Aug 2009 vehicles do not require DRL's

 

[hitman1978]

That's easy enough to get round for the mot tho, just disconnect the power supply to them

 

[Wahlstrom]

Or VCDS it off

 

[hodgy0_2]

Or just tape over with black electrical tape

 

[deano1978]

I cannot understand (sure somebody's going to explain) why this mod is a failure, it does nothing but improve day time visabilty FOR OTHER DRIVERS!

For instance,i was driving through a thick bit of over grown hedges,was a bit dark + dull,and 1st thing i notice approching me is the drls... Now if he hadnt of had them,it wld be a few mili secs lata,which is usually to late.

 

[Adam88525]

Dpbayley currently doing this set up on my car what is the earth side of the dome light? You got a pic or wiring diagram please and thank you