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DRL day running light pros and cons by side,
I like to have my DRL on and as a old-timer I know how and when to turn on my Headlights at dawn / night. How can I activate the DRL on a 2016 E350 cutaway chassis? (Minnie Winnie)
If this is not possible , I will install 2 LED lights with a relay activated from the Alternator.
It can be done with a scanner like Forscan and a suitable interface, it's a just a setting in the GEM module, I did exactly this and a few other things on my '11.
Can the cutaway chassis lights be activated with Forscan? I think the cutaway uses the old school headlight/running light circuit that just works off the hardware headlight switch. I was looking to do the same thing and have pretty much resigned to also do the relay solution. I think the cutaways are not like the "normal" vans when it comes to wiring. I'm thinking only the engine/transmission are under computer control. Anyone? If you get around to it first, Jaja, let us know where you hooked it all up.
The functionality that is available will depend on the generation of truck in question, the scanner control I refer to above only applies to 2008 or later models.
The functionality that is available will depend on the generation of truck in question, the scanner control I refer to above only applies to 2008 or later models.
Exactly correct and I'll add the CAN-bus network came into being more prominently during model year 2005 as that's when the electronic throttle body and control was introduce. If the factory DRL's were an option or included they should be addressable via FORScan.
OK, after checking with the local Ford dealer thru the VIN, the 2016 Cutaway does not have DRL. I could not find a DRL relay on the front where it suppose to be. So I went the old fashion way. Take a 12 Relay, make some wires and hook it up. Easier thought than done. The main installation is easy, to find a hot wire with the Ignition on, or the motor running is a challenge. I normal go to the alternator, but this did not worked. I found a hot wire on the left side (all direction are in normal driving direction) but this did not activate the relay.(Purple with a Yellow stripe).
Alternator (Blue/Red) not working for the relay. Since this is a RV, I know there is a relay to charge the house batteries with the motor running. This relay is under the entry to the RV and way to far to get the power. Than I saw this purple wire with a Capacitor connected on the right side of the motor. This is normal done for static radio noise reduction. And wola, this worked.
Now with Ignition on, the two hidden LED lights turn on and I have DRL.
Me, the Happy Camper
Final working DRL I use AMP water proof connectors. Pre made wiring harness This wire has 12V but not with the relay connected. This is on the front right motor side. Wire routing Relay location and wire routing. I could connect the main power somewhere else, but the loops and fuse where on the wire and I am cheap. Light location from the inside. Hidden LED light
OK, After checking with the local Ford dealer, there is no DRL relay on the 2016 Cutaway chassis. So I went the old fashion way. Made relay harness with some connectors and drilled some holes to mount the LED lights. Installation was simple. to find a Ignition hot wire was more than a challenge. I found one (purple/yellow) wire with 12V, but this was not activating the relay. The Blue/yellow wire on the Alternator, No relay activation. since this is a RV, i know there is a main relay to charge the RV batteries with the motor running, this relay is way back under the RV door. I checked all open contacts in the fusebox, but nothing has a easy and clean access for a wire.Than I found on the right side of the motor a purple wire with a condenser attache and this did the trick.Now with ignition on, I have LED running lights. Water prove AMP connectors Wiring harness Not enough power for the relay LED hidden behind the grill DRL with ignition on. motor front right side wire routing relay and wiring Main connection Inside look
What the dealer actually meant is that DRLs are not enabled on that truck in it's as built configuration, all of them have the capability but those built for the US market don't have DRL enabled. Unlike earlier models there are a whole host of functions that are software controlled and DRL is one of those, there are no separate modules or relays.
My 2011 E250 is an American truck.. built in the US and originally registered in Arizona. Being a stripped cargo van built for the US market it wasn't configured with many of the features that are enabled on the higher trim level passenger vans. But with Forscan I was able to turn on DRLs, enable auto lock and unlock on the doors, change the interior lights to fade off instead of switch off, enable courtesy lighting which turns on the marker lights for 30 sec when the doors are unlocked, and change the tire pressure monitor setpoint to 50psi. The van also didn't come with remote keyfobs, I don't know if it originally had them or not but adding them was easy enough to do without any special tools.
What the dealer actually meant is that DRLs are not enabled on that truck in it's as built configuration, all of them have the capability but those built for the US market don't have DRL enabled. Unlike earlier models there are a whole host of functions that are software controlled and DRL is one of those, there are no separate modules or relays.
My 2011 E250 is an American truck.. built in the US and originally registered in Arizona. Being a stripped cargo van built for the US market it wasn't configured with many of the features that are enabled on the higher trim level passenger vans. But with Forscan I was able to turn on DRLs, enable auto lock and unlock on the doors, change the interior lights to fade off instead of switch off, enable courtesy lighting which turns on the marker lights for 30 sec when the doors are unlocked, and change the tire pressure monitor setpoint to 50psi. The van also didn't come with remote keyfobs, I don't know if it originally had them or not but adding them was easy enough to do without any special tools.
No, that is not what the dealer told me. If the DRL can be activated with FORSCAN, than the Ford trained Service writer should not sit there or just don't care about customer service. I would assume for a 2016 build, multi country use Truck/ Platform, that should be possible. Now I have my own DRL . One day I will have a FORSCAN and find out the true. I might drive to a second dealer in town and check it out.
No, that is not what the dealer told me. If the DRL can be activated with FORSCAN, than the Ford trained Service writer should not sit there or just don't care about customer service.
Well the thing is he isn't authorized to give a customer a free upgrade, it doesn't matter if it's a piece of hardware or a software change, he can't lift a finger without a charge number and he won't get that from Ford for something like this. If you want a vehicle with more otions they will gladly sell you a new one, but in most cases he's not about to tell you how to do it yourself for free(well almost free), that is just poor business practice. He didn't lie to you but he didn't tell you the whole store either.
BTW.. nice job on the lighting install, I like how steathy they are.
Well the thing is he isn't authorized to give a customer a free upgrade, it doesn't matter if it's a piece of hardware or a software change, he can't lift a finger without a charge number and he won't get that from Ford for something like this. If you want a vehicle with more otions they will gladly sell you a new one, but in most cases he's not about to tell you how to do it yourself for free(well almost free), that is just poor business practice. He didn't lie to you but he didn't tell you the whole store either.
BTW.. nice job on the lighting install, I like how steathy they are.
I never ask for free. I am to long in the Automotive business, and nothing is free in live.
Thanks
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DRL on a 2016 RV
DRL
