Can you put a test lamp at the solinoid for the release, and have somone else push the release button? A multimeter may not act fast enough to pick up the pulse for the solinoid release.
For the DRL make sure the fuse is good. I think the DRL module is located in close proximity to the steering colum, if not inside it. Does DRL apply to all the parking/marker lights? I dont know what the DRL is on the 99 avalon, headlights? marker lights?
EDIT: Here, I peice this together from a 1994 Camry. Seeing how the camry had the same power plant and sedan style of the avalon, im sure this is very similar. (US models did not have DRL, so this is the Canada model)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...drlcana2da.png