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Amber DRL and LED DRL

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by medic_84, May 7, 2021.

  1. May 7, 2021 at 12:57 PM
    #1
    medic_84

    medic_84 [OP] New Member

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    Let me start by saying I have done tons of searches about both of these things and just haven’t found quite the answers I am looking for so I thought I would post my thoughts and see if I could get some answers. I currently have a ‘16 Crewmax SR5 with the amber DRLs and adjustable headlights. I have purchased and plan to install the headlights with the black background and LED light strip. Now here is where my thoughts come in. I have found several write ups on how to keep the amber DRLs from coming on and keeping the turn signals functional. I have also found several write ups on how to wire the LED DRLs to be functional as either always on or on and dim as factory as well as some guys on here that offer some harnesses to make that job easier. What I have not found anything on and maybe that’s because it can’t be done but that’s the reason for the post. If I wanted to keep the Amber DRLs from being on at all but keep the turn signals and I simultaneously wanted to light the led light strip as the DRLs then why could I not use the wire that is feeding the orange DRLs to feed the LED DRLs???? One cut from the amber it could be wired to the led and the then a ground wire added to the led. The factory amber lights are brighter when the head lights are off and dim when the headlights are turned on and then function as turn signals so could the wire that powers the amber DRLs be used to power the LED DRLs in the same manner??? Am I crazy??? To far outside the box??? Not possible??? Any response would be greatly appreciated!!
    Thanks, Matt
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2021
  2. May 8, 2021 at 8:48 AM
    #2
    medic_84

    medic_84 [OP] New Member

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    Bueller.......Bueller.........Bueller
     
  3. May 8, 2021 at 8:55 AM
    #3
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    Fuel delete mod Cup holder upgrade
    Not being a dick but the wall of text may be hard for some people to follow, all the background info doesn't add much to your ask IMO.

    This looks like the gist of the thread:

     
  4. May 8, 2021 at 8:59 AM
    #4
    medic_84

    medic_84 [OP] New Member

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    Salty..... just wanted to appease those who say just search here and you will find it.

    But yes you are correct basically I am asking.
    If I wanted to keep the Amber DRLs from being on at all but keep the turn signals and I simultaneously wanted to light the led light strip as the DRLs then why could I not use the wire that is feeding the orange DRLs to feed the LED DRLs????
     
  5. May 8, 2021 at 9:26 AM
    #5
    AL_TUNDY

    AL_TUNDY New Member

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    Looks like you are on uncharted waters with a highly specific question. I'd personally just experiment with the wiring. cut and splice and see if it will do what you want. If not, change it back.
     
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  6. May 8, 2021 at 10:00 AM
    #6
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    Screw the search nazis, I'm going to go start and MPG thread....maybe a cooler or wheel thread too.

    I kid, best of luck with a solution. It may be easier to diagram the current state and the desired end state; some of the folks familiar with the wiring will be able to tell right away if it will work and how to get there.
     
  7. May 8, 2021 at 10:05 AM
    #7
    APalmTree

    APalmTree 4x4 SKEPTIC

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    1 or 2... I lost count
    So, I don't exactly know the answer to your question but I can tell you how the 2nd gens are wired since I messed with mine a lot.
    As you probably know the bulb is a dual filament with low power and high power, with the high power being your turn signal AND the DRL when the headlights are off. If you took the power from the high power filament for the headlight off function the led strip would become your blinker which does not sound like what you want (again this is assuming it is wired the same as my truck). It sounds like you want a circuit that comes on with the ignition and is always on for the strip but you need to do some modifications to defeat the high power circuit with the headlights on. I cut a wire under the dash on my truck to turn off the DRL without the headlights and still retained all of my blinker functions.

    I guess it is also worth mentioning that the low power circuit does not light when the headlight selector is all the way off. It only comes on at the second stage, with the taillights and the dash dimming, just before the headlights are on.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2021
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  8. May 8, 2021 at 10:14 AM
    #8
    1UP

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  9. May 8, 2021 at 10:28 AM
    #9
    medic_84

    medic_84 [OP] New Member

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    Apalmtree...... my understanding on a 3rd gen that the bulb is indeed a dual filament bulb but that the DRL circuit and the turn signal circuit work independently of one another to light the brighter filament. I have found many write ups that state for people who have either added an after market led DRL strip or just don’t want the amber one lit, cut a single wire under the dash causing the DRL portion of the light not to function but still allow the turn signal to function as normal.

    I know that I am going out on a limb with this thing called common sense but one would think that if you found said wire at the light cut it and used it to feed power to the led DRL then provide an independent neutral to the Led DRL that this should work....


    Al_Tundy..... I will do just that if this thread produces no viable answers was hoping to find just one crazy feller who felt maybe he could chart those waters before I ventured into them myself.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2021
  10. May 8, 2021 at 10:29 AM
    #10
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADER,RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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  11. May 8, 2021 at 11:03 AM
    #11
    APalmTree

    APalmTree 4x4 SKEPTIC

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    1 or 2... I lost count
    I get what you're saying but I don't think such a wire exists... As far as I could find there is only one wire run that goes straight to the flasher under the dash. The flasher is telling the circuit when to light and not depending on all the inputs that it sees (ignition, headlights, turn signal input, etc.). All the turn signal and DRL power are on the same wire at the light. I could be wrong and I just did not find the right place to look, @iHacker makes harnesses all the different headlight projects that people on here do so hopefully he can chime in and tell you the real answer.
     
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  12. May 8, 2021 at 11:22 AM
    #12
    medic_84

    medic_84 [OP] New Member

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    Apalmtree....All of the write ups I have found state cutting a single gray wire under the dash does accomplish just this. you lose the DRL but keep the turn signal. Suggesting the circuits are independent of each other.
     
  13. May 8, 2021 at 11:54 AM
    #13
    APalmTree

    APalmTree 4x4 SKEPTIC

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    1 or 2... I lost count
    Yes, I have done it... BUT what I cut was the ignition trigger wire INTO the flasher module. There is still only one output (Okay two, one to each light) circuit. So again, unless I missed something, which for your sake I hope that I did, I don't think you will be able to find what you are looking for but good luck to you.
     
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  14. May 8, 2021 at 12:30 PM
    #14
    iHacker

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    ^^^^ This solves your questions, a simple cut and splice job isn’t possible if you do so your LED DRL will work as blinker as well and that’s not how the lights normally work.


    The amber DRL signal share the same circuit for the blinker and the flasher relay send a pulse to switch between DRL and blinker.


    And one more thing, The LED DRL in the new headlights have 2 separate LED board for each function like a dual filament bulb (DRL bright and Dimmed DRL) this means you can definitely cut/splice and redirect the parking lights circuit (violet wire) to the Dimmed LED board but not that easy for the DRL bright, older SR5/Limited/Pro trucks (2014-2017) are missing the LED DRL circuit and instead the amber DRL is tied to the high power filament in the blinker bulb.


    I hope this help
     
  15. May 8, 2021 at 12:39 PM
    #15
    iHacker

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    This can clarify your mind, and unfortunately a simple cut/splice job won’t make the LED DRL achieve what you are looking for
     

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  16. May 8, 2021 at 12:45 PM
    #16
    iHacker

    iHacker SW TRD PRO

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    ^^^You have the real answers buddy :bowdown:
     
  17. May 8, 2021 at 12:52 PM
    #17
    iHacker

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    The wire you mentioned is a dual polarity circuit and is controlled by the ECU and circuit tied to the parking brake, circuit #5 in J28 plug is normally 12V so ECU have to recognize some conditions like ignition ON and parking brake off and if this 2 conditions are met then main computer switches the polarity and convert to ground signal powering the DRL bright filament Flasher relay send the pulses for the blinker function in the same circuit.


    Little confusing but is a computer controlled circuit


    Please read the diagram in previous message to completely understand how things work.


    Have a nice weekend guys
     
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  18. May 8, 2021 at 1:00 PM
    #18
    medic_84

    medic_84 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks guys! Appreciate the info! Question answered!
     
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  19. May 8, 2021 at 1:11 PM
    #19
    medic_84

    medic_84 [OP] New Member

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    I was misunderstanding the wire that was being cut. My impression was it was the wire that was powering the light but instead it is a wire going into the flasher module that is being cut. Thanks Ihacker and Apalmtree.
     
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  20. May 8, 2021 at 1:13 PM
    #20
    iHacker

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    Yep ECU and Flasher relay does the trick

    I’m always happy to help
     
  21. Mar 12, 2022 at 6:55 AM
    #21
    Jkobie

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    @iHacker sounds like you're a very knowledgeable about the different lighting systems of different years I am trying to accomplish this exact same task do you make a harness that you sell or can you recommend one in order to accomplish? I have a 14 tundra with drl, that I would like to install some black housing 18 headlights with LED drl but halogen bulbs.
     
  22. Mar 12, 2022 at 7:08 AM
    #22
    texasrho83

    texasrho83 DGAF#1

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    Since your truck came with DRLs you shouldn't need a separate harness, imo.
     
  23. Mar 12, 2022 at 7:38 AM
    #23
    Jkobie

    Jkobie New Member

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    Thank you even though mine has Amber DLR and I am changing to the LED White?
     
  24. Mar 12, 2022 at 8:18 AM
    #24
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

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    If you haven't bought the lights yet, I'd go with OEM LED headlights.
    Get the TRD Pro headlights, for the blacked-out look, and use an @iHacker harness.

    My 2014 with TRD Pro LED headlights.
    I did keep my amber DRL, you can use the appropriate ihacker harness for bright white LED DRLS.

    gfbt99fk_ae54f05effc9e16f1c6a8ffb264e796a616b5c8c.jpg 389ealpn_93fbf76900714999bd83c041bf1caf921c010db2.jpg

    More info here..
    2018+ LED HEADLIGHTS PLUG N PLAY HARNESS FOR 2014-2020 MODELS [V 2.0] | Toyota Tundra Forum (tundras.com)
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2022
  25. Mar 13, 2022 at 5:09 PM
    #25
    Jkobie

    Jkobie New Member

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    @iHacker can you help with this see pictures
     

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