*SOLVED* 2021 Tundra Platinum Parking Lights don’t work with headlights

So I've been digging for some time now and I can't find any solutions. I have the stock LED platinum headlights that have the surrounding DRL lights. These lights work when I turn the stalk to parking lights, turn off when I turn the fog lights on (fog lights turn on independent from everything else) and also turn completely off when I turn the headlights on.
What I have found in older years the DRL led strips would dim when you turn the headlights on, but in my case they don't. I stopped by Toyota and was told by 2 technicians that this is the way they are designed (turn off completely when the headlights are turned on.

So my dilemma, I'm trying to find some way I can modify the truck so when I turn the headlights on the LED DRL strips dim like older versions (such as the 2018 and 2019 models). Does anyone have any insight to this or ways I can mod it to get the results I'm looking for?

Prime example, my 2018 SR5 I had, the lower LED strip would dim with the headlights on and also stay on with the fog lights. I could also set the stalk to parking lights, turn on the fog lights, and they all worked together.

Thanks,
York

 

Normally DRLs dim with headlights. There are some vehicles that for some reason they do turn off once the headlights are on. I didn't think the Tundras would turn off though. The DRL switch is in the on position and they turn off?

 

Yep....they are supposed to turn off with the headlights......

 

2020 platinum with oem led here and my drl dim when the headlights come on.

Wouldn’t bother me if the drl turned off, though. Not like I can see them while I’m driving.

 

Paging @iHacker for any possible assistance on this one.

 

Yes I have the DRL setting on through the radio settings. It seems like something they changed from 2020 to 2021. But if it’s stock on the 2020 then there’s gotta be some way to get em to dim.

 

Agreed I can’t see them when I’m driving, but they are great for show… NSV light bar DRL with the headlight DRL and fog lamps on, looked sick as H on my 2018. Would like to get the same effect on this 21.

 

I was playing with mine a while back and it would take much pecking to find it again but...I found a setting on the entune to turn the DRLs off which I did.

 

The manual page that I posted for the 21 is the same as my 2020. I can't test mine as I have Morimotos now. I don't know why they would want them to turn off with the headlights on.

 

yes mine are turned on through the entune radio

 

i spoke with headlight revolutions because they have a truck in there nsv install video that shows nsv, headlights, drls, and fog light on at the same time. There truck came with halogen headlights and they upgraded to the retrofit adding LED DRLs to it. Hence the reason that one looks like that.

Since the 2020 allows for this I’m curious if there is a way to match the wiring and or relays to mimic. Only thing I can think of is to jumper the DRL and fog relay to ground. Problem with that though is they would be on full brightness all the time when the headlights are on. This might actually be my only work around…

 

Hit up @iHacker with a PM...he may be familiar with what to do.

 

I’d be careful taking any advice from HR.

 

That's weird. My DRLs just dim when my headlights are on, but they do stay illuminated.

 

I don’t believe there was a change to the drl behavior for 21, but my sample size is quite small.

 

I have a 21 with factory LEDs and the iHacker harness and can confirm that my DRL surrounding lights stay on when the headlights are on. They are also on at all times in the auto position on the stalk, they just dim when the headlights turn on. The only time they are off is when my stalk is on DRL off

 

@iHacker
@MadMaxCanon so you have an aftermarket harness in tomorrow wiring system an your lights stay on/dim? Without the wiring harness (with your factory setup) do they mimic what mine is doing?

 

Also how would I go about getting this “harness” you speak of?

 

The ihacker harness is only needed if your truck came with halogen headlights and you want to install the factory led headlights.

Platinum trim comes with factory LED headlights. Nothing else is needed.

 

@iHacker can help you out.

 

@MadMaxCanon I’m assuming your 21 didn’t come with halogens. You have the Ihacker harness and added it inline with your current wiring system? Did the DRLs act differently before the harness?

 

Sorry I had halogens forgot to mention

 

Correct that’s how the operate in normal conditions, not sure why the Toyota guys @Sgt_York told him they operate different that’s not true.

 

No change since that’s how the LED DRL is meant to work don’t matter if you have the single LED Strip with halogen lights or the full LED version of the headlights

 

@Sgt_York i recommend you to check your truck wiring or the headlights stalk maybe the AUTO function of if yours is equipped the DRL ON/OFF option have something to do with your issues

 

You also you mentioned you have the NSV light bar installed and trust me this light is well known to cause problems if is not installed correctly and recommend you to pay close attention to the parts where you had to install their patch harness (t-harness for turn signal) double check the wire location in this plug since NSV designed the patch harness for wires in the original turn signal configuration and later Toyota issued a recall and reconfigured the plug in some 2019-2021 trucks

 

So the turn signal Pins are correct on the 1&3 pins, they are not in 1&2, I checked that as well previously trying to troubleshoot this entire thing.
But even before I hooked up the nsv bar the lights were still in this “broken” configuration. Going to take some pics tonight or in the morning (depending on lighting) of all the wiring. Still out of town.

 

Just ran into another 21 platinum guy, his DRLs dim and stay on with fog lights and headlights… so something is definitely wrong with my truck. And Toyota doesn’t know what the hell they’re talking about. His truck was completely stock as well…

 

I’m going to disconnect the nsv from under the steering wheel and check it completely stock I’ll let you know the outcome

 

@iHacker @MadMaxCanon

Okay so, NSV completely disconnected shows no fix action. The lighting pics are at complete stock with all factory wiring in place where it belongs.

The light pics are parking lights, than fog lights, and then headlights. No parking brake. Even put it in drive and they just stay off with others on.

the DRLs are turn on in the radio. Do you think maybe I could have a bad relay? Gonna stop by autozone today…