how to disable "DRL OFF" feature to meet canada regulation?

[popwich]

how to disable "DRL off" feature? i imported a 2007 camry LE from US to canada, i need to bypass this "DRL off" feature so DRL will be always on to pass canadian inspection. any suggestions?

[Luna2]

Originally Posted by popwich

how to disable "DRL off" feature? i imported a 2007 camry LE from US to canada, i need to bypass this "DRL off" feature so DRL will be always on to pass canadian inspection. any suggestions?

Replace Light stalk.....

If you have the fog light switch option already installed, I would like a purchase option on the US made switch... You could recover some of your switch cost! Standard LE's don't have it.....

Thank You.

[akira751]

Originally Posted by popwich

how to disable "DRL off" feature? i imported a 2007 camry LE from US to canada, i need to bypass this "DRL off" feature so DRL will be always on to pass canadian inspection. any suggestions?

If you can't pass inspection what happens?? Do they fine you until you can pass??

[Avalonman]

Just turn them on... Auto

[Camread]

yeah, no kidding. just leave it on "Auto"

[Luna2]

Originally Posted by popwich

how to disable "DRL off" feature? i imported a 2007 camry LE from US to canada, i need to bypass this "DRL off" feature so DRL will be always on to pass canadian inspection. any suggestions?

I think the implication is: "If you can turn the DRL off, it is illegal."

Looking at the wiring setup, a jumper in the harness will correct the problem. At this time, the connection to look at is in the steering column cover. Let me look a little deeper, I might locate a point that is easy to get to.

[Luna2]

Originally Posted by Luna2

I think the implication is: "If you can turn the DRL off, it is illegal."

Looking at the wiring setup, a jumper in the harness will correct the problem. At this time, the connection to look at is in the steering column cover. Let me look a little deeper, I might locate a point that is easy to get to.

Ref: http://www.camrymanuals.com/manuals/07/07EWD.pdf Page 448

Looking at the wiring setup, a jumper in the harness will correct the problem.




OPS!!! A VERY BAD BUMP!!!





I have looked and evaluated the light switch contact operation. (A) to (EL) if open DRL is off.


For headlight or tail light operation, (A) to (EL) is open.



The question is: “What will happen if the (A) to (EL) is linked together with either the headlight or tail light is selected?”



ANSWER: I can’t predict. I can say that it will probably be unfavorable.



The cost of a new switch is ~$120.00 plus the install labor. The new correct light switch route appears the best option for this case.




You might make a mechanical “limit” mod to the stalk. (How are your design and fabrication skills?)



If me “as close to OEM is preferred.”

[popwich]

thanks for all the help, guys.

sorry, luna, my car is LE model, don't think it had fog light options.

all i need to do is to demostrate to the inspector that 'DRL off' switch is useless now. so shorting the A and EL might not be a bad idea. all i need to do is to stay in either AUTO postion or DRL OFF postion (DRL off postion will be same as AUTO postion if A and EL is shorted). as long as i don't switch to Head or TAIL position during the inspection, it will be fine, right? after passing the inspection, i'll then open the A and EL connection to turn everything back to normal.

anyway, what is your guess on what the results will be if A, EL and HEAD is connected together? what's EL really mean? my guess is that: assuming during the day time, bright outside, A and EL short postion means DRL should probably be on which means low bean on, but since HEAD is connected as well, main body ECU will probably won't know what to do.i think by default ECU should just turn on the high bean.

[Luna2]

Originally Posted by popwich

thanks for all the help, guys.

sorry, luna, my car is LE model, don't think it had fog light options.

all i need to do is to demostrate to the inspector that 'DRL off' switch is useless now. so shorting the A and EL might not be a bad idea. all i need to do is to stay in either AUTO postion or DRL OFF postion (DRL off postion will be same as AUTO postion if A and EL is shorted). as long as i don't switch to Head or TAIL position during the inspection, it will be fine, right? after passing the inspection, i'll then open the A and EL connection to turn everything back to normal.

anyway, what is your guess on what the results will be if A, EL and HEAD is connected together? what's EL really mean? my guess is that: assuming during the day time, bright outside, A and EL short postion means DRL should probably be on which means low bean on, but since HEAD is connected as well, main body ECU will probably won't know what to do.i think by default ECU should just turn on the high bean.

http://www.camrymanuals.com/manuals/07/Lighting.pdf

Bump, Bump!!! Bad Link

Try this Manual (It's for all flavors.)
Lighting (6.8MB, 156 pages) Located at http://www.camrymanuals.com/

Look at page LI–52

Shorting pin 19 [A] and 12 [EL] on (E21) the Headlight Dimmer Switch Assembly will activate the AUTO function all of the time.

If the connector is like the one I just looked at, on mine, trim a paperclip, cut and shape it across the wire side of the connector, lining up with pins 19 & 12. Then insert the jumper into the backside of the plug, be gentle. I would cover the exposed metal between the two pins with insulation.

Look at page LI–54

This is a drawing of (E21) the connector above, showing the pin locations.

All of the above is located on the light stalk plug. You must remove the covering to get to it.

There might be a better place to do the same thing, without messing with the light stalk assembly and its trim coverings.

Look at page LI–54

This is a drawing of (E7) showing the pin locations. Pin 21 [A] is the same point as above.

Fabricate a terminal end on a short piece of wire.
The terminal must fit under the nut (a ground point) at the top of the junction block panel located behind the change drawer to the left of the steering wheel.
Pull on the change drawer panel and it will open access to the junction block just mentioned.
The connectors are well identified.
Connect the new “Ground” wire to the wire on connector E7 pin 21 [A]. {Auto DRL will always be activated.}

The best thoughts on what will occur with the auto always activated, in the dark, parking light only function will not turn off the headlights.
In the day light, if the headlight function is activated on the stalk, the headlights will work on low beam and DRL will also be on the high beam lamps.

All of the scenarios involve “Daytime or Night time” of the auto function and where the switch is positioned on the light stalk. (I foresee a few unique lighting “features” for your LE.)

Good Luck!!
PS: [EL] Might be "Electrical Low" Translation "Ground" it is tied there.

[popwich]

if i understood you right, what you saying is connection pin21 (Auto) to GND on E7 which is part of main body ECU, right?

OK. after shorting of Pin21 to GND, say light control switch is turned to H position, H, A and GND are connected together. since A and H aren't supoosed to be connected, is this going to creating any kind of demage to the main body ECU or other circuits?

[Luna2]

“if i understood you right, what you saying is connection pin21 (Auto) to GND on E7 which is part of main body ECU, right? “

That is correct. The connector positions are well marked.
BUMP!!
Connector E7 is plugged in on the back side. (A very difficult to get to, spot. Would have been a great spot, still is if you could pull E7 out. Disconnect the battery on this one!!)

I am thinking on this one that the plug on the light stalk switch WILL be easier location. Easy access points are:
1) Turn the steering wheel to the right, to remove the exposed Phillips head screw visible through the steering wheel.
2) Turn the steering wheel to the left, to remove the other exposed Phillips head screw visible through the steering wheel.
3) Remove the steering column cover trim.
4) Disconnect the plug from the switch.
5) Install the short. (Shorting pin 19 [A] and 12 [EL] on (E21) the Headlight Dimmer Switch Assembly will activate the AUTO function all of the
time.)
6) Install connector.
7) Test ALL operating scenarios. (Light / Dark conditions, Switch positions [Off / Auto, Headlights, Parking lights and High / Low Beam / Flash switch positions] {This test will tell you what, if any, undesirable operations are. Then, are you willing to live with them? Or if it don’t work the way you think, go back to “Replace the light stalk with the correct version.”
8) Install trim.


OK. after shorting of Pin21 to GND, say light control switch is turned to H position, H, A and GND are connected together. since A and H aren't supoosed to be connected, is this going to creating any kind of demage to the main body ECU or other circuits?

The above is untested, I can not say.
(Frankly, I do not know what will occur if “DRL” and “High beam” is selected at the same time.)
Theory analyzing is:
The best thoughts on what will occur with the “auto” always activated, in the dark, parking light only function will not turn off the headlights.

In the day light, if the headlight function is activated on the stalk, the
headlights will work on low beam and DRL will also be on the high beam lamps.

All of the scenarios involve “Daytime or Night time” of the auto function and where the switch is positioned on the light stalk.

The questionable test would be to activate the High Beam switch with the “DRL” activated on the High beam lamps. (And find out.)



"Good Luck!!"

[gdanaher]

Since both USA and Canadian models are being built at the Kentucky factory it makes sense to contact someone in Toyota to ask how to change the drl system to comply with Canadian federal regs. Surely, you don't have the only car being imported that needs the modification.

[santaclause]

just to let u know that I imported my camry and passed inspection without any modifications. Just left the lights on Auto.

[popwich]

Originally Posted by santaclause

just to let u know that I imported my camry and passed inspection without any modifications. Just left the lights on Auto.

i guess that depands on what part of canada are you from. I live in vanoucver, importing vehicle from seattle, california or Japan is quite popular here, so vehicle inpectors are very familar with the inspection process, they will find out that little "DRL OFF" feature and fail the inspection. one of my friend here in vancouver went through the same inpection and also are required to undergo the DRL mod work.

[popwich]

hi, luna2

this morning, i went ahead with the mod you told me. i opened up steeling wheel cover and shorted pin 19 and pin 12 on (E21) the Headlight Dimmer Switch Assembly. it's quite simple actually. i do have to pay special attention to the connector mapping though because the connector pins layout are right to left, if you read the connector E21 left to right, the pins are like: 20, 19, 18....13, 12. i have to check the cable color to make sure.

so far, it's been working fine. DRL OFF position is same as AUTO position now so turn knob to DRL OFF will not turn off the DRL anymore. Turn the knob to HEAD position will turn on the headlight properly also. i did not test any other combinations because it's just a temp solution so i can pass the inpection. i'll restore it back to original after i pass the inspection tomorrow morning.

thank you Luna for all the help you provided. you are such an expert. thanks.