I have read a bunch of write ups, but im still confused on wiring up my DRL's to my ignition... Can i just wire my FTP light to an ignition activated 12V wire in my engine bay?

 

Yes

Just wire it up on a switch. simple on/off switch.

 

With respect,I disagree......... Use a DPDT relay. Wire it up using a IGN on source on one side of the relay so the DRL's are on when the IGN is on. Use the light circuit to turn it back off/ open the relay. That way you can use a resistor to dim the DRL's a bit, and then when the light are turned on the DRLs go out.

 

Well in the stock configuration the FTP are on when the park lights are on, and are also on when the headlights are on, and the foglights can be turned on only when the parking or headlights are on.

so if i wire it in parallel with something that has IGN power it should work.. Correct?

And also, what is a good wire and ground to use for my application.

 

So it sounds like this isnt a FC. If the DRL's are always on, you use a IGN source to a relay to send power to the lights. Look up efan wiring, it is the same idea, only your turning on lights not a fan.

 

Well its a JDM FC with FTP and all that other stuff.

 

check this out I will lay it out for ya, get a relay at any auto parts store, should have 4 terminals on it. The teminals have number labels 30, 85,86,87. terminal 30 is the incoming 12v+power (with a 10 amp inline fuse) that you want to send to power the lights. terminal 87 is the 12v+ wire that will go to the lights. Now take your 12v IGN + wire and run a 1 amp inline fuse and connect it to terminal 85. Now ground terminal 86 and the relay is always on when the IGN wire, terminal85 is hot. To make it switchable get a switch and run it inline with the ground wire on terminal 86. Remember the shorter the grounds the better and always place the inline fuses as close to the 12+ source.

 

http://www.bcae1.com/relays.htm

 

JDM FC's don't have FTP lenses, they have front marker lights instead. If you're trying to use those lights as DRL's you're wasting your time. A 5W bulb is barely visable in daylight.

 

Not quite sure what you are after here... You only want the little 5w bulbs to work or are you after somthing like this...

 

Just those 5w bulbs.. I think i have it figured out.

 

hope we could help ya out, pics of the results?!

 

No pics yet.. I have found a spare pig tail that runs off the wiring harness. It is 12V only when the ignition is on. So i was going to run 2 wires from this +12V to the positive wire on each of the 5w lights. so when my ignition is on the 5w lights will be on. I am worried that too much voltage will run to the lights..

For example, if my ignition is on plus my light switch is on then that is two 12V signals going to each light.. is this something to be worried about?

 

That will turn on the taillights as well, and since you mention no relay, may overload the circuit you're taking power from.

Voltage doesn't add when you wire in series. It won't do anything bad to the lights.

Like I said above though, you're wasting your time with these lights. You might as well just turn the headlight switch to the first position. Just as useless with less work and less ghetto hacking. If you want effective DRL's you'll need to use something considerably brighter.

 

The 12v wire i tried to use to run my DRL's ended up being part of the electric fan circuit.. so i couldnt use it.. as my fan came on whenever the circuit was grounded.

So now im thinking maybe i could splice just any 12v IGN wire in the engine bay.. but i would hate to do this.

Any idea on how to wire the fogs up with the ignition..?

 

Anybody?? I really want to get this done so i can get my car on the road.

I would like to use my foglights as my DRL's now... But i think there may be an issue with the headlights. The foglights only work is the parking lights are on of the headlights.

 

Anybody!??!

 

So ive decided to forget about the DRL's for a while now and switch my attention to more significant work... But i would still love to know how i can achive DRLs on my 91 FC.

Is there a way to by pass the fog light switch and hook it up to the cigarette lighter.

In need of serious guru help...

-Ben

 

What i did.. was tested wich wire was getting power on the fog light switch (stock fog lights) cut that wire, since it was only getting power when the lights were turned on. hooked that wire up onto the ignition on wire of the power mirror switch, and now, whenever the car is on, i can turn my fog lights on and off via the fog light switch. just get a test light, it will be all that you need.

 

Well that is interesting, however.. my fogs have to come on when the ignition is 'ON'. So the foglight switch is just a switch to close/open the circuit... so if i hooked up a 12V ignition wire to the switch.. then would me fogs come on when the ignition is on? I wonder.

GURU HELP!

-Ben

 

Yeah, the power wire to your power mirror switch is only on when the ignition is on. Same with the ciggeret lighter, if i recall correctly.


so, if you left the switch on 24/7 the fogs will ONLY turn on when you turn your key. Otherwise they turn off (this prevents you from accidentaly leaving them on when you turn your car off, and whatnot)

 

Oh, your fog lights will also stay on when you turn your high beams on. Although this is illegal i doubt you'll ever get a ticket for it.