How to determine if my 06’ DC has DRL?

I’m trying to determine if my 06 DC has daytime running lights. I’ve searched the forum, but haven’t been able to find anything specific to my particular situation.

The owners manual states the DRL is the main headlamp operating at reduced power and that it comes on when the parking brake is released. The manual doesn’t seem to indicate whether DRL comes as a standard feature or if it’s an option. I’d be surprised if DRL is an option since it is a safety feature and wouldn’t appear to cost much to include, but it certainly seems possible. The truck is a limited and I’d find it even stranger if it wasn’t standard on that package, but it still seems possible. A vin search at the Toyota spec website does not list DRL as one of the trucks features, but it isn’t 100% accurate in some other respects either.

I checked and the DRL do not come on when the parking brake is released even with the engine running and in gear. I looked for the plug between the battery and the fender well which others have posted about here and it doesn’t seem to be there. Does anyone know if this plug could be in a different location or omitted on an 06’ DC? Or does it’s absence suggest I don’t have the DRL feature?

I've gotten as far as I can on my own with my admittedly limited understanding of vehicle electrical systems. Any ideas on where to go from here?

 

I'm pretty sure it was an option. You either have it or you don't, my 06 doesn't have DRL. Not sure how to "active it", I never cared about DRL but If you google how to, other forums might help you.

 

Post a picture of your headlights. If I’m not mistaken, the DRL light is a 194 bulb in the bottom corner of each light. On the older trucks. I circled them with red in this picture:

 

@SouthPaw....Thank you. I do have the housing you posted and I originally thought the second bulb was the DRL too, but the manual indicates otherwise in two ways. The first I already mentioned and under the section on bulb replacement in the manual the second light is referred to as a parking light and it does come on as expected with the parking light switch.

@2006Tundra....So it may indeed be an option. Thanks!

 

Easy way, park at night facing a wall, garage door or windows. Turn headlights off while foot on brake,.do the headlights dim? Yes = DRL, No = no headlights.

 

Thanks for the tip @assassin10000. I did a version of this yesterday, but instead of using darkness to do it alone I had my wife look while I released the parking brake. I checked with the engine off and on, in park, drive and reverse. Nada. At this point I think I can say two things. I either don't have DRL or they have been disabled or are otherwise not working. I looked for the plug I've seen mentioned between the battery and the fender well and there isn't one on this truck. It seems like most of the posts I've seen mentioning this plug were on pre double cabs, so I'm not sure if not seeing the plug in that location translates into I don't have DRL or not. I know there are at least some differences between the DC housings and the earlier access cab housings. It seems possible there could be other changes like deleting the plug or putting it in a different location.

I'm leaning towards concluding I do not have them. I think if someone with an 06' DC who has working DRL checked and found they do have the plug by the battery I would be pretty confident I do not have them. But without more info I think either possibility could still be true. This question could probably be answered by looking at the wiring diagrams, but when it comes to that I might as well be trying to read an ancient Sanskrit text.

 

Try doing a VIN lookup on Toyota dot coms and see if it is on your Spec List.

 

Thanks @Professional Hand Model, I did try that. It isn't listed as an option there, but not everything is 100% accurate either.

 

I am in the same boat. I have no indication that I have DRL.

 

Ok. I went back up and read that. I’m supposing you do not have them then.

My VIN lookup says I have them on the 2002 and I do indeed. I have disabled them at the plugger next to battery.

 

Good info here, thanks to everyone who replied.
I have a 2006 DC . . . I'm going to check mine.
I don't think mine has DRL's.
I did a VIN check . . . nothing on there.

 

I will check when I get home but here are a few pics of my 06 DC with drl’s:
DRL’s only(middle setting on switch):


DRL’s and fogs:


Everything:

 

I have a 06 DC Limited and looking at my specifications on Toyota Owners site DTR Lights is listed

PORT OR FACTORY INSTALLED EQUIPMENT

• CK All Weather Guard Package

• Factory

• EJ JBL AM/FM/Cass With 6 Disc Changer & 8 Speakers In 6 Locations

• Factory

• FE 50 State Emissions

• Factory

• HY Rear Audio System w/Wired Headphone Capability

• Factory

• JC Overhead Console w/Compass, Outside Temp Gauge & HomeLink Universal Transceiver

• Factory

• LD Limited Slip Differential

• Factory

• RL Daytime Running Lights

• Factory

 

@Casper421, Unless I'm misreading the owners manual I think the second bulb in the housing are the parking lights. I think DRL - if you have them - use the headlamps with reduced power. If I correctly understand it, DRL should be on even when the light switch is in the off position. According to the manual it is activated when the parking brake is disengaged rather than at the switch on the column. If they only come when the parking lights are switched on then I think they are probably parking lights.

 

@weadjust and @Professional Hand Model Thank you both for going to the trouble of checking. I appreciate it.

@weadjust, I'm not in any sort of rush, but would you mind checking if you have the plug between the battery and the fender well when you have time? I'd like to confirm you have the plug there. I'm feeling 99% sure I don't have DRL from all the extra info you guys provided. Thanks for all the help!

 

What’s so important about these drl’s?

 

This is how my 2005 DC was.
The little useless light bulb was part of the parking lights.

DRL was a reduced power headlight.
I kept unplugging the plug next to the battery since I didn't want them on..
Every time I took it in for service, they would plug it back in.
Said they were required by law to do it..

I'd guess if you don't have that plug, you probably don't have DRLs.

 

@Casper421, I'm going to get a headlamp harness and this detail has something to do with how it's configured according to the fella who is making it. I couldn't tell you why it matters because I know next to nothing when it comes to electrical stuff. One thing I do know is I need better lights and installing a power-switched harness will give me the most available options to increase headlamp performance.

@1lowlife, Thank you! At this point I'm 99.9% sure I do not have them.

It seems like both the plug and Toyota specs are a reliable way to make this determination.

Thanks everybody!

 

Fair enough, good luck!

 

Thanks @Casper421, I'll need it! Also I really like the lights you installed. Did @SouthPaw do the housings for you? I saw his thread and those look like the best option I have seen so far. I don't know if I can go the LED route though because I need heat at the housings for snow and ice. I'm gonna start with a harness and new bulbs to see if that helps.

 

^ this.


Just an extra parking light on the later model headlights. My 05 AC has them too. They'd still be there DRL or not.

 

That thing looks bad-ass all murdered-out.

 

No, I did those housings a couple years ago. Not bad for my first retrofit.

 

Thanks. That’s back when she was all shiny and short.

 

I do have the plug between the battery and fender. I have considered unplugging the DRL but have never done or got around to it.

 

Okay, thank you for looking.

It seems pretty clear at this point and unless someone can demonstrate otherwise I'm going with....if you have the DRL option it should be listed on the Toyota vin spec site and it should have the plug. This appears to apply to all 1st gen models/years.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in.

 

I believe this to be the case.