This was done on a 1990 model, The procedure is easily reversed. 1991 Camry's have a DRL relay box that has more wires on the connector, but hopefully the wire colour is the same. The 1991 models may also have a more sophisticated version that works better I can't say. I believe 1989 was the first year that daytime running lights were used in Canada, the relay assembly may be different than shown here.
The reason I wanted to disable the DRL system is because it is done poorly by Toyota. The headlights run at full power, not in series like later models so it prematurely burns out the bulbs. The dash lights are also on all the time, which I think is just plain dumb. The light switch itself becomes almost useless, the only reason to turn it on is so you can turn on the high beams, otherwise it might as well not be there. I have nothing against daytime running lights at all, but the way it is done on this car leads me to believe Toyota did it in a hurry.
Going by the wiring diagram, there is a signal coming from the alternator, the DRL come on as soon as you start the car. The handbrake has no effect at all, they come on whether the brake is set or not (unlike newer Toyota models). Disconnecting the alternator signal means the relay circuit never thinks the engine is running. As far as I can tell, the lights function normally otherwise, and the auto lights off feature also works.
Locate the DRL relay box, which is underneath the main console (4 screws, two at the front, two inside the console covered by the "carpet" liner).
Remove the wire from the connector, red wire/blue stripe - grey dot. I used a modified jewelers screwdriver, thinned down. You have to push the tab away from the terminal and pull the wire, it took me a few tries to get it out.
Put heatshrink over the terminal
I simply tucked the loose wire away into the wire sheath
1984 Toyota Cressida
1994 Toyota Pickup
1998 Toyota Avalon
Linear Mode
