Daytime running lamps
 

Anybody know what secret series of switch actuations will toggle the DRL on?
Thanks,
Rich

DRLs
 

You mention it as a factory option. Is there actual hardware required or is it activated in the ECU or whatever Ford calls the "computer" in the car?

On my Audi A4, you could enable DRLs by using a VAG-Com to manipulate various settings in the ECU. There wasn't any hardware involved.

Answer from Ford's Safety Office in Dearborn
 

I got the official answer from an acquaintance who works for Ford.

The body computer needs to be queried by the Ford Dealership scan tool and have the DRL function turn on. That operates the front fog lamps at full intensity on 2007s when the engine is running, the transmission lever is out of Park, the parking brake released, and the healamp switch in the off or auto position.

My 2008 does not use the fog lights for the DRLs. It uses the headlights and you can't shut them off...even when you would like too.

This is how my 08 works too.

I thought Ford would have done as GM once did..put the park brake on and the DRLs go out. I hate being at a a drive thru. Everyone get pissy as though I enjoy blinding them.

Only the 2007 Expedition used the fog lamps for DRLs, and that was only standard in Canada where the federal law requires DRLs. The use of fog lamps as DRLs is prohibited by federal law in the US because each of the states regulate fog lamps performance and operation and none wanted fog lamps to be used as DRLs. Thus the federal law prohibits it.

That is why the 2008 Expeditions sold in the US, use the lower beam headlamps in a dimmed mode, as DRLs. The reason that you can' shut them off unless you are parked is because the Canadian law requires it that way, and US law doesn't requirie them to be capable of being shut off. It leaves that choice to the vehicle manufacturer. Thus, Ford and other have chosen to make only one version of the vehicle as regards to DRLs. Their choice is the Canadian wiring version.

And that is THE answer on this issue. Thanks, its cool to know all the ins and outs between the US and Canada and how the car makers have to wiggle between both.

Dealer Enabled?
 

So, if the dealer is willing, can they be enabled by a tool thay have on an 08? If so, is it a tool that all dealers would have? How likely do you think it would be that they would do it?

I manually turn on my headlights all the time now. Having DRLs would be a nice additon. I didn't order my vehicle, so having it factory enabled wasn't an option.

I have been told that the dealer can enable the DRL option with the Ford scan tool that they have. Give them a call and let us know what they say and how much they will charge.

I paid $400 for the DRLs..what do you bet me the dealers will charge that much or more.

Not true!!!

The 2007 uses the headlights not fogs! I ordered my truck with them from the factory.

The fogs stay off. Only when auto lamps or manual parking / headlamps are on will the fogs work.

Mine (2007 Limited EL) was built in sept 2006, ordered in aug.

So apparently there is no difference between 2007/2008.

Just wanted to set the record straight. They'll some poor guy that will come along and and think his is malfunctioning.

Bo

Cool, that means I might be able to get them, and I'll see why Ford's safety office got it wrong!

Any updates? What is needed to activate Daytime Running Lights on a 2008?

Am I the only one who wants to turn them off? I drive onto base everyday and I need to be able to turn off the lights so I don't blind the poor security guy. Plus if I want my lights on, I will turn them on.

Its a safety feature. It is mandated in Canada, the Eurpean Union, and many countries throughout the World. Yes, it would be nice to have a button to turn them off temporarily for military bases, but NHTSA has not decided to require that feature. Thus, manufacturers don't offer it.

Fortunately for me, I live in USA, and I don't care what Canada requires. I may take a look at the wiring diagram, the DRLs run at half volatage, so there must either be a seperate wire, or a relay which would be even better. As soon as I get to be in port for more than a week or two... This is starting to remind me of the TPMS, I spent the last month trying to get mine to work right, turns out, about 43lbs is the magic number to get it to reset.

You need to read the previous posts in this thread. There are no wire to cut, fuses to remove and etc. You need to have the dealer alter the software in the body computer in order to turn the DRL off or on. I have the official Ford shop manual set; there are no easy fixes that owners can do for themselves. You must have the dealer do it.

Hey Rich-

So can you confirm that every 2008 Expedition has daytime running lights as an available option. My dealer was clueless. If you could give me a section number from the service manual for the programming, that would be great.

Thanks,

Sure, but if thats the case, why doesn't every Expedition come with it if it's a software thing? Somewhere there is a relay that steps the 13 volts down to some lower voltage to give you a less brilliant DRL, there absolutely has to be one. I keep seeing in the posts that people keep asking if the dealership will do it, someone go to a dealership and ask!!!!!!! If they can turn it on, they can turn it off.

It is not a relay, but a pulse-width modulator that does it. It is a transistor in the body control module that is turned on and off at about 20 KHz, with a duty cycle of about 90%. That achieves a low beam intensity that is about 75%. The body computer has an instruction in its software to either turn it on when the lights are off and the ignition is on, or to never turn it on. It is that instruction that needs to be changed.

I know this because I was NHTSA's lighting chief for 17 years and because I have read the Ford shop manual.

So, when I go for my 10,000 mile service, and to get warantee work done in about two or three weeks, I will ask what the cost is and report it if someone else hasn't done it yet. So, hold your seahorses, or you can't, go to the dealer and ask when you get back to port. Then tell us.

Great. I will wait to hear your results. My wife likes to run with her lights on. All of them. I am hoping this will reduce my bulb changes. I would have ordered the DRL option, but we got our Expy from the lot.

Thanks,

Thanks for the detailed info, that makes more sense, with the exception of why doesn't every Expy come with it turned on? If its this great safety feature, and its built into all of the trucks, wouldn't be easier/cheaper to program them all the same. By the way, I didn't pay for my DRL, nor are they listed as an option on my sticker. But low and behold, I have DRL, wonder if the dealer here automatically programs their vehicles with it by default?

Maybe illegal in some states? I though in CA it used to be, not sure.

Ford has a general policy not to supply DRLs unless it is requested by a purchaser. Lots of commercial fleets that buy Ford vehicles want DRLs, so it is available. Dealers may also request DRLs on the vehicles that they buy for the lot. It is possible that your vehicle was ordered that way by the dealer, or your vehicle may have been destined for a fleet, but was not purchased.

It is not illegal in any state. There is a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that for which I was responsible that permitted them in various forms, but which did not mandate them. As such, the federal law preempts any state law that is not identical in text or meaning.

NHTSA does intend to mandate them, its just that it does take a lot of data collection to show that they are of greater value to the public than they cost to purchase and operate. Canada and 40 or more countries thoughout the World have done that; NHTSA intends to do that.

I agree about the law, but in CA awhile back, friends with Chevys that had DRL were getting pulled over and they had to prove they could not turn them off. Federal law is great, but if the local cops are not aware and only following local penal codes, it is still a hassle. But like I said, the code must have changed by now.

It can be done. I was informed by my local Ford Service Manager that there is no "code" yet to deactivate the DLR's on 2008's. As someone has already mentioned, if your vehicle was manufactured in Canada it's going to cause a problem if you want them de-activated. A 'file' , that does not exist yet, has to be written to slove this problem. It's quite simple, yet expensive, for the first one who wants this done. I guess all the rest of us will benefit from this eventually. This would be a great idea for fleet purchases, except if it's for a police department

Now I am confused. If the vehicles come with it off, and it must be programmed to turn them on, why not erase the program that was added and reset it to stock? A special file doesn't make sense, excpet maybe Canada?

My 07 XP Eddie Bauer EL 4X4 purchased about 6 months ago off lease 45,000 miles I ask the service manager about turning on the DRL's and he looked like a deer in the headlights DUH

So I explained to him that they can access the onboard computer and simply turn on... He went over to a service tech told him what I said the tech replied "YEP" we can do that.

He hooked up his laptop and 2 minutes later it was done NO CHARGE I did tip the tech

Now if I can just get that laptop for a couple of hours:)

My truck was assembled in Wayne, Michigan per the Monroney sticker.

On my window sticker it says Options- DRL $45.

The salesman said see the driving lights? Yes. Put the car in park. Why did the lights go off? They are called driving lights, not parking lights, hahahahaha.

What code did he use to turn them on?

I don't know...I will find out, I'm going there in two weeks to have my seat track replaced (seat is rocking) and my brake booster replaced (it's making a hissing sound and stops when I depress the brake pedal)

All warranty work but still will cost me $50.00 deductible and my time.

Is there anyway for us to access the onboard computer to do these thing ourselves?

There's deductible on warranty work? When did this start?

-- Chuck

On ESP, not 36K or 5/60 powetrain.

Chuck,
In Florida I discovered that when I go in for any "warranty work" to be done, the service advisor let's you know up front the $65 or $75 dollar labor rate plus parts "in case it's not covered"

When I heard that line with a fully covered protection plan that I have, I replied that's a load of BS I don't want to know what the rate is... that why I purchased the protection plan minus the deductible.

So I will wait for a few problems to arise before I bring it in for any service @ $50.00 a pop.

How about you guys?

I had a dealer enable them on an Explorer last year that was being exported to Canada where DRL are mandatory. Figured Id have it done here in the US to make the Canadian import inspection process easier
.
At first the closest 3 dealers said Id have to add hardware module.

I have a friend that works for Ford and he was the one that told me every 06+ should have the hardware, it just needs to be enabled.

Sure enough, after he gave me the right words to use - ECU, SJB etc the local dealer found out how to do it

They charged $49

Just goes to show, not every dealer is familiar with this 'embedded' option, but if you use the right language, they should be able to find it.


And yes, the are Driving lights, that turn off in PARK

Curtis,
Nice Buick
I had a 68 chevelle..that went up in flames

IN canada our 2007 Ford focus has D.R.L. built into low beam at half brillance

There are 2 fog lamps and if you pull the light switch out to the first click the park and tail lamps operate and the fog lamp switch will allow the fog lamps alone with park and tail lamps, this meets BC laws, which allows either fog lamps or low beam lamps However if we pull the switch out to the second click the low beam and fog lamps operate, together

In the fog lamps mode with the tail lamps and park operating when you start the engine the D.R.L. operates and if the weather is really foggy we cannot
shut off the D.R.L to stop the bright light from bouncing back off the fog mist particles Ford will not admit there was a screw up, Because there are already 2 fog lamps lit and D.R.L lamps are not needed But they cannot be switched off, we are contemplating installing a small relay to cut off the D.R.L. during fog lamps operations to allow better driver control of the lighting in severe fog conditions see link below with pix and comments about D.R.L and fog lamps in Canada

Daytime running lamps pros and Cons 20111209-123029.WMV - YouTube