Activating DRL on a '02 Thunderbird

[Frankvv]

Re: Activating DRL on a '02 Thunderbird

Thank you everyone for your comments. I do like the foglight/ running light conversion since it is convenient. Since it appears that the 02 circuit between a Canadian car and a US is different, the other option I am considering is buying a module that will run the main headlights at 80% power, which is how normal DRL operate. They are available on eBay for about $15.00, and I installed one in my daughter's old Honda and it works great. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dayti...Q5fAccessories).

Since I have not seen a Canadian T-Bird recently, can any Canadians tell me if the main headlights come on, or if the running (foglights) are used?
Thanks,
Frank

PS My running / fog lights come on now as soon as the switch is moved to the parking light position. Is this normal? Also there is a pull out position on the light switch which seems to not control anything. Is this not suppose to be for the fog / running lights?
FvV

[bwlewis]

Re: Activating DRL on a '02 Thunderbird

Frank, the switch is the same used in other Fords that had fog lights activated by the pull out feature.

[HKS]

Re: Activating DRL on a '02 Thunderbird

I don't know if anyone mentioned this before. But, fog lights/parking lights are not legal for driving in California. I got a ticket 45 years ago for driving with parking lights on.
Running lights must be lit up headlights. Parking ligths are for parking in CA. Things may be different in Canada.
HKS

[Lindy]

Re: Activating DRL on a '02 Thunderbird

Welcome Frank!

How about a few digital pics of the '59 Thunderbird or the '02?

--Lindy

[Frankvv]

Re: Activating DRL on a '02 Thunderbird

Lindy,
I will be posting some pictures a little later on. I only have dealer shots of the 02.
Frank

[steelblue5505]

Re: Activating DRL on a '02 Thunderbird

Frank,
I sent you a PM regarding the DRLs.

[justjon]

Re: Activating DRL on a '02 Thunderbird

When you find out what a job it is to change headlight bulbs you might opt for as little use as possible....

[PaBlkBrd]

Re: Activating DRL on a '02 Thunderbird

When you find out what a job it is to change headlight bulbs you might opt for as little use as possible....

What am I missing here. It takes maybe 15 minutes total.

[5bird7]

Re: Activating DRL on a '02 Thunderbird

Thank you everyone for your comments. I do like the foglight/ running light conversion since it is convenient. Since it appears that the 02 circuit between a Canadian car and a US is different, the other option I am considering is buying a module that will run the main headlights at 80% power, which is how normal DRL operate. They are available on eBay for about $15.00, and I installed one in my daughter's old Honda and it works great. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dayti...Q5fAccessories).

Since I have not seen a Canadian T-Bird recently, can any Canadians tell me if the main headlights come on, or if the running (foglights) are used?
Thanks,
Frank

PS My running / fog lights come on now as soon as the switch is moved to the parking light position. Is this normal? Also there is a pull out position on the light switch which seems to not control anything. Is this not suppose to be for the fog / running lights?
FvV

Frank, Canadian Tbirds did NOT come with the supplemental parking lamps (spls) or fog lights as many refer to them. Their DRLS are their headlights at a reduced voltage (or something like that). The only Canadians with the spls have had them installed after they bought the car.

[rmarshal]

Re: Activating DRL on a '02 Thunderbird

I read that Canadian Ford dealers have the code to reprogram non DRL T-Birds to Canadian standards. However, my local Ford dealer says the '02 'Birds are not reprogrammable. Does anyone north of the US border have a friendly Ford dealer that can clarify the reprogramming issue?

Otherwise, we'll have to revert to the Click 'n Clack "tape over the unit" solution.

At first readings of the 2002 Thunderbird Workshop Manual, Daytime Running Lights (DLR) section, says that the Front Electronic Module must be reconfigured upon installation and lists a series of Inspections and Verifications. It seems that 'reconfigured' does not mean 'reprogram'.

Inference is that the FEM controls the Daytime Running Lamps, possibly the instrument cluster. Since the light sensor on the dash turns on the DLRs, that seems to be the difference in wiring between US and Canada models.

So, the black tape method is the simplest remedy for initiating DLRs. That closes the (photon regulated) switch, allowing headlights to remain on during daylight hours, as most modern cars should have.

Good show, everyone!

[5bird7]

Re: Activating DRL on a '02 Thunderbird

knock on wood. We've covered our dash light sensor for over 6 years on the 02 so our headlights are on all the time (unless the cover slips off - we use a tbird hat) and have never had to change a bulb (yet). With over 100K miles on the car, I think the bulbs are handling being on all the time very well.

[bobc4383]

Re: Activating DRL on a '02 Thunderbird

I don't know if anyone mentioned this before. But, fog lights/parking lights are not legal for driving in California. I got a ticket 45 years ago for driving with parking lights on.
Running lights must be lit up headlights. Parking ligths are for parking in CA. Things may be different in Canada.
HKS

Just curious: I traded a 2007 Ion 3 for my 03 TBird last summer. Its DRLs were the parking lights (the amber ones outside the headlights). How do Ions in CA look when they are driving? Are the DRLs the headlights themselves or the outside lights (I figure it would not be economical to make vehicles specific to CA)? Early on, Saturns used to use the inner headlights (normally the brights) for the DRLs but at a reduced intensity. To me, they appeared a bit close together which didn't seem to be ideal.

Bob