DRL lights not working.

[mojoe]

I replaced my halogen DRL/Bright headlight bulbs (same bulbs for both) on my 2003 Camry. When I turn on the bright lights, they work just fine. When I turn on DRL, nothing. I opened the fuse box, found 3 relays and
one 5A fuse marked "DRL", and replaced them all to no avail. There is no sensor on my dash, or anywhere else I can find. Could it be the contacts or switch on the turn signal stalk are worn out and the stalk needs to be replaced? Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[DCDG]

when they did function did you notice if the DRL went on when shifted into drive and off when shifted back into park? could be something related with the gear selector.

 

[Rand]

so you have no daytime running lights while actually driving around
with the lights set to off?

 

[mk378]

I assume when you say you replaced the high bulbs you put in halogens like stock. DRL mode runs the bulbs in series so if they are LED or something they are likely to not work. Series wiring means that if either bulb is burnt or disconnected the other one won't light either.

Looking at the diagram, it's rather complicated. The BCM is involved and yes there is a connection to the light switch. In the USA version, it needs to be turned to the very last position (beyond OFF) to activate DRL. This grounds the gray wire from the switch.

 

[mojoe]

so you have no daytime running lights while actually driving around
with the lights set to off?

I have no daytime running lights when the headlights are turned off and the daytime running lights are turned on.

 

[Rand]

I have no daytime running lights when the headlights are turned off and the daytime running lights are turned on.

did you replace the bulbs with LED?

 

[mojoe]

I assume when you say you replaced the high bulbs you put in halogens like stock. DRL mode runs the bulbs in series so if they are LED or something they are likely to not work. Series wiring means that if either bulb is burnt or disconnected the other one won't light either.

Looking at the diagram, it's rather complicated. The BCM is involved and yes there is a connection to the light switch. In the USA version, it needs to be turned to the very last position (beyond OFF) to activate DRL. This grounds the gray wire from the switch.

Sorry, I meant to say that I replaced the halogen bulbs with LED bulbs.

Sorry too that I don't follow the rest of your response. I don't know what BCM is or exactly what you mean when you say the light switch needs to be turned "beyond off". In the past, if I wanted to turn on DRL, I just turned the Headlight/Turn Signal switch to DRL.

 

[mojoe]

did you replace the bulbs with LED?

Yes. They work fine when I turn on bright lights, so the bulbs themselves work. When I turn the switch to DRL, those same bulbs do not come on as they should.

 

[mojoe]

when they did function did you notice if the DRL went on when shifted into drive and off when shifted back into park? could be something related with the gear selector.

I think that was the case, and I guess it could be related to the gear selector. It's starting to sound like this may be more complicated and difficult to diagnose than I'd hoped.

 

[DCDG]

I think that was the case, and I guess it could be related to the gear selector. It's starting to sound like this may be more complicated and difficult to diagnose than I'd hoped.

There’s a bushing or switch that crumbles with age

 

[97prizm]

Sorry, I meant to say that I replaced the halogen bulbs with LED bulbs.

Sorry too that I don't follow the rest of your response. I don't know what BCM is or exactly what you mean when you say the light switch needs to be turned "beyond off". In the past, if I wanted to turn on DRL, I just turned the Headlight/Turn Signal switch to DRL.

View attachment 344785

LEDs don't draw enough current and won't work

 

[DCDG]

Did you try switching back to halogens? throw the LEDS away they’ll never work correctly in a halogen reflector designed housing combined with other gremlins

 

[Legs4Arms]

I have no daytime running lights when the headlights are turned off and the daytime running lights are turned on.

You don't turn on DTRL, they're usually activated automatically on older cars like yours when you drop the handbrake. It could be a number of things, do you have currently functioning regular low and high beams working as they should?

 

[supton]

If you swap the original bulbs in, do you get expected operation? I"m wondering if the new bulbs are lacking low beam (not sure if these are two separate bulbs per side).

If it never worked then I wonder if they were disabled--I often disabled mine. Although that stalk makes it look like it's always on...

It's also possible that the lower voltage for DRL's might not be enough to run the LED (usually it's passed through a resistor I think, and maybe the LED driver does not like the voltage drop).

 

[mk378]

LED bulbs will not work in this circuit. Put halogens back in and see for yourself.

 

[DCDG]

You would need something called an LED load resistor to gain functioning DRL from the aftermarket LED's if the bulbs are what caused you to lose DRL's. Just don't do it install a quality pair of halogens and call it a day.

 

[mojoe]

LEDs don't draw enough current and won't work

I assume you mean they won't work in the DRL application, because they work perfectly as high-beams (the same bulb performs both functions). Also, I replaced the other halogens (low beams) 8 months ago with LEDs and they have been great.

 

[mojoe]

You don't turn on DTRL, they're usually activated automatically on older cars like yours when you drop the handbrake. It could be a number of things, do you have currently functioning regular low and high beams working as they should?

I actually do have a switch with which I can turn DRL on and off. Yes, low and high beams work great.

 

[mojoe]

You would need something called an LED load resistor to gain functioning DRL from the aftermarket LED's if the bulbs are what caused you to lose DRL's. Just don't do it install a quality pair of halogens and call it a day.

Thanks, that sounds like my best option.

 

[DCDG]

Thanks, that sounds like my best option.

Yeah just looking out. Wouldn't want you to chance overheating older wiring.