Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

[argofan]

Re: Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

puchased an 04 bird a year ago. as i live in canada it is law to have drls on at all times the car i bought was new and purchased in the usa. in order to turn on the drls all you need is to find a dealer to download the canadian program into the main on board computer and you will have the lights and still the autolampsystem

[tcapoccia]

Re: Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

puchased an 04 bird a year ago. as i live in canada it is law to have drls on at all times the car i bought was new and purchased in the usa. in order to turn on the drls all you need is to find a dealer to download the canadian program into the main on board computer and you will have the lights and still the autolampsystem

What are the DRLs that are lit up on your Bird? Is it the Amber lights in the Headlight Assembly?

Also, I thought the SPLs were illegal in Canada due to them being on all the time and they give the appearance of Fog Lites, thus four lights with brights?

[SR-71]

Re: Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

Tony,

Nice job... excellent research and post! Thanks!

A question:

The light control on the T-Bird dash has a position that does nothing on the T-Bird... you can pull it out or push it in (it's normal state), but there's no effect. If I recall correctly, this same switch is used in the Lincoln LS to control true fog lights; on (pulled out) or off (pushed in). In your studies of the wiring etc., did you find any indication that the "out" position is actually available so that we could easily tap into it to control something (e.g., make the SPLs function as actual fog lights, use in a kill circuit, activate an ejector seat, etc.)? Seems a shame to have a switch that doesn't do anything!

Cheers,

Kevin

[tcapoccia]

Re: Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

Tony,

A question:

The light control on the T-Bird dash has a position that does nothing on the T-Bird... you can pull it out or push it in (it's normal state), but there's no effect. If I recall correctly, this same switch is used in the Lincoln LS to control true fog lights; on (pulled out) or off (pushed in). In your studies of the wiring etc., did you find any indication that the "out" position is actually available so that we could easily tap into it to control something (e.g., make the SPLs function as actual fog lights, use in a kill circuit, activate an ejector seat, etc.)? Seems a shame to have a switch that doesn't do anything!


Kevin

Kevin, from what I can tell, from the actual wiring diagram of the Main Light Switch, is that it is fully functional. The diagram does show its functionality, but then states that those circuits are "not used"--so it would appear that it will work if connected to something like fog lights.

[Bird03]

Re: Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

Very well done Tony.

I guess we should start another club for everyone to join. We have the Borla Club, the CAI Club, the Trunk Mat Club, now would should have the:

"SPL's always on Club".

[tcapoccia]

Re: Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

I guess we should start another club for everyone to join. We have the Borla Club, the CAI Club, the Trunk Mat Club, now would should have the:

"SPL's always on Club".

Sign me up...

BTW, I will have to look at the threads on the CAI Mod, since I seem to be clueless about what it is and what it does.

[FUN X 3]

Re: Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

Tony, nice work, I'm sure many of the members will benefit from your mod. My personal preference will be to continue to flip the switch on and off every time I drive the car. My car is a daily driver and I'm bumper to bumper for several miles of the daily trek each way, so I want the taillights on even when I'm not braking. Someone else, I think it was tflocks, used a low-tech solution and just covered the sensor on the dash, but that's for all the lights, not just the SPLs.

[Bird03]

Re: Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

BTW, I will have to look at the threads on the CAI Mod, since I seem to be clueless about what it is and what it does.

It allows free-er flow of air to the engine which adds more HP. (The cold part of the "cold air intake" is a dubious claim, since it's hot everywhere in the engine compartment and unless you have the intake sticking out the front of the grill, I don't think you are getting a lot colder air with this unit--not a put down..just stating the obvious...there is a definate increase in HP...esp. percieved HP).

Has a cool 4-barrel-like sound when you punch the accelerator.

The silver metal intake adds some bling to the otherwise black engine compartment.

Very easy install, esp. for you.

Inexpensive mod at around $250.00

[SR-71]

Re: Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

Kevin, from what I can tell, from the actual wiring diagram of the Main Light Switch, is that it is fully functional. The diagram does show its functionality, but then states that those circuits are "not used"--so it would appear that it will work if connected to something like fog lights.

Thanks Tony... let the tinkering continue!

Kevin

[BotNew56]

Re: Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

SR-71,

I was also interested in using the pull-out switch on the dash to activate "real" fog lamps. I took the switch out and tested all the connectors on the switch. As far as I can tell, none of them respond to that pull-out switch and that leads me to believe that it is not operational at all. I even looked at replacing it with a Lincoln LS headlight switch, but after looking at the Lincoln shop manual, I am thinking that the wiring is too different, even if it would fit mechanically.

So, as I have posted in another thread, I am seeking a way to get a couple of wires from the cockpit into the engine compartment.

John

[SR-71]

Re: Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

Thanks for the note John, although it doesn't sound like good news where the switch is concerned. If you come up with a good wiring path, I'd be interested, as I'm sure others would be.

Cheers,

Kevin

[southbird]

Re: Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

BotNew56:

How did you get in to that headlight switch? I wanted to look at that same switch function, but couldn't figure out how to get in there.

Cheers,

Southbird

trowbridge@sri.org

[BotNew56]

Re: Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

SouthBird,

I took out the dash panel containing the switches. As I recall now, it just pops out. I unplugged the light switch from it's wiring cable, got out the Tbird and Lincoln LS diagrams and with an ohmmeter tried to figure out if the pull switch was connected to any of the terminals. No luck. I considered tearing into the switch but decided that the pull switch probably didn't even have any contacts and I would probably never get it back together.

I did install the Hella "Angel" fog lights and put in a switch on the lower driver's side dash just to the left of the Trac-Off switch. I have posted this on another thread in some detail. I will see if I can add it here.

There are 3 messages that describe how I put in my fog lights, with some photos. They are

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...0&postcount=15

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...1&postcount=16

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...2&postcount=17

If you have any questions, let me know

John

[DavidA]

Re: Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

Well, I finally got around to doing this mod on my '02. I've been wanting DRL's since the car was new, and, thanks to Tony's detailed instructions, it was easy .. total cost about $7.00.

His fuse locations work on the '02 Birds as well as the newer ones. The only differences I did was I used a different ground location, one of the rad supports under the hood. I simply took the plastic cover off in front of the radiator and used one of the mounting bolts there.

I have always believed in Daytime Running Lights. When on the highways, especially rural ones, I have always been able to see the cars with them much sooner than the ones without. I think they are a terrific safety device.

THANK YOU TONY!!!!!

Incidentally, I also changed the bulbs to the Polarg M6 Hyper White. They are MUCH brighter and produce a very white light.

[Sandman]

Re: Daytime Running Lights using SPLs

David, do the new bulbs run hotter than the originals? I would worry about the plastic lens melting.

Ron