Daytime running lights don't light
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: British Columbia
Daytime running lights don't light
Hi, this q is directed mostly to the Canadian Aerostar owners as I believe U.S vehicles do not or did not have daytime running lights.
My 1992 Aerostar's daytime running lights have not worked at all this past year. Normally I wouldn't care but every once in a while they decide to start to flash on and off intermittently making all oncoming traffic think there is a problem ahead or some of our finest are lurking around the corner. The Haynes manual I have does not include these as the book is for American models. Does anyone know where I could find the relay for these and how I should repair or disable it?. Thanks
007BRONCO
My 1992 Aerostar's daytime running lights have not worked at all this past year. Normally I wouldn't care but every once in a while they decide to start to flash on and off intermittently making all oncoming traffic think there is a problem ahead or some of our finest are lurking around the corner. The Haynes manual I have does not include these as the book is for American models. Does anyone know where I could find the relay for these and how I should repair or disable it?. Thanks
007BRONCO
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Joined: May 2003
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My '92 Aero doesn't have this problem, but my '92 Nissan NX does...my temporary solution is to drive it with the headlights on, thereby disabling the circuit.
This was at a F150 site...perhaps it's similar for our vehicles:
http://www.myf150.com/howto/drl.php
John
This was at a F150 site...perhaps it's similar for our vehicles:
http://www.myf150.com/howto/drl.php
John
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 586
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From: Tottenham Ontario Canada
In my 95 Aerostar, the DRL module is on the driver side inner fender behind/beside the battery. It has fins on it for cooling.
I replaced it a few years ago, and it was just over $100 CDN. It lasted about a year. I have not bothered with it since. I think part of the problem with these modules is overheating. There is not much air circulation around the module. If I replace it again, I may extend the harness to locate the module where it sees more air movement.
Also, the flashing headlights might be due to failed/failing headlight switch. It is a common problem with the pull & twist headlight switches. I'm not sure about the rocker-type switches used earlier. Search the forum & you'll find many threads about this problem.
Cheers,
Eric
I replaced it a few years ago, and it was just over $100 CDN. It lasted about a year. I have not bothered with it since. I think part of the problem with these modules is overheating. There is not much air circulation around the module. If I replace it again, I may extend the harness to locate the module where it sees more air movement.
Also, the flashing headlights might be due to failed/failing headlight switch. It is a common problem with the pull & twist headlight switches. I'm not sure about the rocker-type switches used earlier. Search the forum & you'll find many threads about this problem.
Cheers,
Eric
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: toronto
i had the same problem with my daytime running lights so i just disconnected the plug to stop em from working . your headlights will still work in the proper way . its on the fender next to the battery . its a black box with heat fins
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 223
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From: toronto
i couldnt tell u y your high beams wasnt working . iv had mine unplug sence iv gotten it an my headlights an functions still work as they are supose too
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changed the box and daytime lights are working great now AND my high beam indicator on the dash works now as well
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My headlights came on and stayed on..problem the daytime light switch. But until I changed it my daytime lights were really dim and the high beam indicator light on the dash did not work. Now daytime lights are as bright as the low beams and the high beam indicator works.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Brantford, Ontario, Canad
The reason that the high beam indicator doesn't work with the DRL module disconnected is that the module completes the circuit for that light. Some US Fords had the wiring for the DRL but used a plug to seal the connector and complete the high beam circuit.
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Daytime Running Lights
I just got the module replaced, total cost labour included $234.00 cdn. The whole system works better now and the daytime lights are much brighter. If I had known a little more, I would have just disconnected it and waited until later to fix it. After checking this forum out, I wish I had done so earlier. Just bought the 93 in September and still learning where to find valuable information
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Martyp I'm sorry to hear that you got ripped off by somone it happens to all of us somtime even the best of us.The part is only $100.00 so the rest was labour and it is only 1 screw to remove on the drivers fender beside the battery.and unplug .then plug in the new 1.the down fall is the goverment saftey checks that a lot of people have to get that fixed or it wont pass a saftey check.next time try to ask for help and see if somone can assist in a helping hand or idea it might help from paying somone else its free to ask!P.S. glad it works.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Brantford, Ontario, Canad
All cars/trucks for the Canadian market had to have DRL starting in 1990 so your 94 does (mine's a 94 too). Ford used 3 different modules, the only difference was the duty cycle used to run the running lights. Because of the halogen lamps used you can't just run a resistor to cut back on the voltage to the lights to make them dimmer. The halogen bulbs will burn out very fast. I'm not sure if it is a Ford design or Lucas (they made the modules, not sure if they still do) but what the modules do is cycle the voltage on and off very quickly (duty cycle). The bulbs last longer that way. Most of the earlier Ford DRL modules will interchange with each other, I had one from a 1991 Lincoln Towncar on my 94 Aerostar. It doesn't have one now because the lincoln one quit too so I now have a jumper where the module was!
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 49
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From: Manitoba
Best place to get a DRL module is at the local wrecking yard. I was in one last year when I was getting another fan for the waterpump, when I noticed all the aerostars still had them. I asked how much and they said a buck. I took it off, handed the guy 1 dollar. When I got it home, I tested it and it worked fine. Has worked fine ever since.