How to disable the DRLs while keeping the automatic headlights on a '99

[turbogalant]

I kept finding people saying how you can't kill the DRL lights without killing the automatic headlights as well. It's actually really easy to do. Pull out the glove box, 2 x 6mm bolts on the bottom, and 3 x phillips head screws. Pull out that assembly; the DRL control module is mounted right under the passenger side airbag. There are 2 x red and yellow 18 gauge wires on one side of the harness, you can just cut them or just de-pin the harness like I did, there are two little tabs that will release the primary electrical pin lock, once that is off take something small, I used a small nail to release the secondary lock. You can pull on the other side of the wire with a pair of pliers, you really don't have much room to work with the harness wiring, but it's 100% do able. Take the two wires wrap them with tape or heat shrink like I did. Put back in the glove box and you're done. I can only verify that this will work for a 99 Corolla and Prizm, but see no reason that it should be that different for other years. If you're wondering, they use some weird ass version of a ground to drop the headlight voltage to 80% power, those 2 pins are the ones responsible for that. Since the automatic headlights are at 100% power they never see grounding from those pins, so that is still retained, as well as all other normal headlight function. Enjoy

[papaxris]

Originally Posted by turbogalant

I kept finding people saying how you can't kill the DRL lights without killing the automatic headlights as well. It's actually really easy to do. Pull out the glove box, 2 x 6mm bolts on the bottom, and 3 x phillips head screws. Pull out that assembly; the DRL control module is mounted right under the passenger side airbag. There are 2 x red and yellow 18 gauge wires on one side of the harness, you can just cut them or just de-pin the harness like I did, there are two little tabs that will release the primary electrical pin lock, once that is off take something small, I used a small nail to release the secondary lock. You can pull on the other side of the wire with a pair of pliers, you really don't have much room to work with the harness wiring, but it's 100% do able. Take the two wires wrap them with tape or heat shrink like I did. Put back in the glove box and you're done. I can only verify that this will work for a 99 Corolla and Prizm, but see no reason that it should be that different for other years. If you're wondering, they use some weird ass version of a ground to drop the headlight voltage to 80% power, those 2 pins are the ones responsible for that. Since the automatic headlights are at 100% power they never see grounding from those pins, so that is still retained, as well as all other normal headlight function. Enjoy

Can you provide a schematic with the changes that you made? This modification is very appealing. Thanks in advance.

[djgs]

So basically wire those two wires together. Just wanted to make sure. For the moment I just disconnected pin 23 to disable both drl and auto lights. Thanks

[turbogalant]

Originally Posted by djgs

So basically wire those two wires together. Just wanted to make sure. For the moment I just disconnected pin 23 to disable both drl and auto lights. Thanks

No, you just take them out all together. If you're good with electronics you can pull the pins out, or just cut them if you want. They provide a ground for the "DRL" section, no ground, no light.

[turbogalant]

Originally Posted by papaxris

Can you provide a schematic with the changes that you made? This modification is very appealing. Thanks in advance.

I can post up a wiring diagram from the GM service manual if you want, but not too many people know how to read them. I also don't really want to pull apart the car again. But if you want to get me a picture of the module and harness I'll be glad to use it to show what I changed

[corolla2002]

O.K. folks. Everybody talks about cutting pin #21 from the relay. I have a 2002 Corolla. I looked behind the glove box under the airbag. My connector only has 12 pins. Can someone tell me where is this relay/modual. Is it black,silver,plastic. Or is it metal. Also turboG said There are 2 x red and yellow 18 gauge wires on one side of the harness, Are these red & yellow mixed on one wire. Thanks.