Electrical $195 to turn off daytime running lights!!!
$195 to turn off daytime running lights!!!
So I'm trying to trouble shoot the buzzing relay on my new piaa driving lights and after doing some searching looks like the DRL may be the problem...
Sooo I called two local east bay dealers and both quoted me a "standard" $195 fee. WTF?! I have 2 questions. 1) am I crazy or does it really take that much effort? 2) is there any cheaper way to turn those off? Do I have to go to a dealership? Thanks
Sooo I called two local east bay dealers and both quoted me a "standard" $195 fee. WTF?! I have 2 questions. 1) am I crazy or does it really take that much effort? 2) is there any cheaper way to turn those off? Do I have to go to a dealership? Thanks
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,037
Likes: 283
From: Melbourne, FL
sad to say you are not being scammed ... well, not totally ....
on a GEN1 the DRL option can be on/off via the computer - there's a long list of similar options - but sadly the computer is not "user programmable"
On a GEN2 this can be done by the driver but on a GEN1 a computer must be hooked up yada yada and $195 is a bit HIGH for this service .. WAY high ... but dealers did/do charge for this. When I bought my VERY EARLY 02 I was told of this by the dealer and they offered one free programming so they suggested I go home and review all the options in the owner's manual then come in to make all the changes on the free programming. The next change would cost $ . . . but is wasn't $195!
{eastbay means eastbay of SanFran area???? I lived in Novato for a while .... folks there are very proud ... very proud of everything in their stores and therefore it cost more ... IME. I was offered a good job to stay .... and ran away as fast as I could}
IMO you'll only get it done cheaper if you find a mechanic that has the GEN1 MINI software
**********
this being said I've installed many a set of driving lights for folks over the years, factory and not. If you want to PM me questions or a description of your problem, maybe I can help.
on a GEN1 the DRL option can be on/off via the computer - there's a long list of similar options - but sadly the computer is not "user programmable"
On a GEN2 this can be done by the driver but on a GEN1 a computer must be hooked up yada yada and $195 is a bit HIGH for this service .. WAY high ... but dealers did/do charge for this. When I bought my VERY EARLY 02 I was told of this by the dealer and they offered one free programming so they suggested I go home and review all the options in the owner's manual then come in to make all the changes on the free programming. The next change would cost $ . . . but is wasn't $195!
{eastbay means eastbay of SanFran area???? I lived in Novato for a while .... folks there are very proud ... very proud of everything in their stores and therefore it cost more ... IME. I was offered a good job to stay .... and ran away as fast as I could}
IMO you'll only get it done cheaper if you find a mechanic that has the GEN1 MINI software
**********
this being said I've installed many a set of driving lights for folks over the years, factory and not. If you want to PM me questions or a description of your problem, maybe I can help.
Last edited by Capt_bj; Sep 13, 2014 at 01:52 PM.
Typical rate is either 1/2 to 1 hr shop time....so sounds right...
It can be done diy with a $38 cable and pirated software...available on eBay from a seller in Romania...
A few other sources around...but you have to dig pretty deep to get at the options...as BJ said, no way to do it without a full computer access, a cable, and software....
It can be done diy with a $38 cable and pirated software...available on eBay from a seller in Romania...
A few other sources around...but you have to dig pretty deep to get at the options...as BJ said, no way to do it without a full computer access, a cable, and software....
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,233
Likes: 127
From: San Francisco
Are your driving lights operated by switch, or automatically when high beams are turned on? Can you link to a wiring diagram? There are a couple of ways to do a workaround. If the lights are operated by switch, you can reconnect the relay to a different input such as low beams or running lights. You'd be able to turn them on even without high beams turned on (be mindful of causing glare). Another approach is to add an additional relay or circuit in front of the PIAA input that would perform a "logical and" operation of the high beam and another input such as low beam. Then the PIAA relay would only get an input when the high beams are actually turned on (not while in DRL mode).
Last edited by rkw; Sep 14, 2014 at 10:30 AM.
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The DRLs on R50/R53 are dimmed high beams. The dimming is achieved not by lowered voltage, but by rapid pulsing (pulse wave modulation). That could cause a buzzing relay.
Are your driving lights operated by switch, or automatically when high beams are turned on? Can you link to a wiring diagram? There are a couple of ways to do a workaround. If the lights are operated by switch, you can reconnect the relay to a different input such as low beams or running lights. You'd be able to turn them on even without high beams turned on (be mindful of causing glare). Another approach is to add an additional relay or circuit in front of the PIAA input that would perform a "logical and" operation of the high beam and another input such as low beam. Then the PIAA relay would only get an input when the high beams are actually turned on (not while in DRL mode).
Are your driving lights operated by switch, or automatically when high beams are turned on? Can you link to a wiring diagram? There are a couple of ways to do a workaround. If the lights are operated by switch, you can reconnect the relay to a different input such as low beams or running lights. You'd be able to turn them on even without high beams turned on (be mindful of causing glare). Another approach is to add an additional relay or circuit in front of the PIAA input that would perform a "logical and" operation of the high beam and another input such as low beam. Then the PIAA relay would only get an input when the high beams are actually turned on (not while in DRL mode).
Yup...
DRLs are the dimmed halogen hi beams... The xenon's are lows...
So buzzing from the voltage dropped, pulsating dimmed tap is expected...
Will try to get you the link for the eBay cable/software...but like a 6-8 week shipping time if I recall.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Dayton Ohio
I just paid $90 to have my DRL turned off, and the Auto Lock feature on my replacement R53, now Stella is just like Lucy was, my totaled R53. The dealer went thru all the programmable options with me I didn't realize there were that many. It took them about 45 min and charged for 1/2 hr min, but they did wash it. Foo
http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=271202591039
Sell has a more current listing....this one has ended. Just search....
http://m.ebay.com/itm/271476323305http://m.ebay.com/itm/271476323305?cmd=VIDESC&gxo=trueMore current....on my phone... So desktop version is not available...eBay kinda sucks...
Sell has a more current listing....this one has ended. Just search....
http://m.ebay.com/itm/271476323305http://m.ebay.com/itm/271476323305?cmd=VIDESC&gxo=trueMore current....on my phone... So desktop version is not available...eBay kinda sucks...
Last edited by ZippyNH; Sep 14, 2014 at 12:15 PM.
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 546
Likes: 5
From: Tucson
The DRLs on R50/R53 are dimmed high beams. The dimming is achieved not by lowered voltage, but by rapid pulsing (pulse wave modulation). That could cause a buzzing relay.
Are your driving lights operated by switch, or automatically when high beams are turned on? Can you link to a wiring diagram? There are a couple of ways to do a workaround. If the lights are operated by switch, you can reconnect the relay to a different input such as low beams or running lights. You'd be able to turn them on even without high beams turned on (be mindful of causing glare). Another approach is to add an additional relay or circuit in front of the PIAA input that would perform a "logical and" operation of the high beam and another input such as low beam. Then the PIAA relay would only get an input when the high beams are actually turned on (not while in DRL mode).
Are your driving lights operated by switch, or automatically when high beams are turned on? Can you link to a wiring diagram? There are a couple of ways to do a workaround. If the lights are operated by switch, you can reconnect the relay to a different input such as low beams or running lights. You'd be able to turn them on even without high beams turned on (be mindful of causing glare). Another approach is to add an additional relay or circuit in front of the PIAA input that would perform a "logical and" operation of the high beam and another input such as low beam. Then the PIAA relay would only get an input when the high beams are actually turned on (not while in DRL mode).
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,037
Likes: 283
From: Melbourne, FL
issue comes up when you try to be legal and tie the driving lights to only be on when the high beams are on ... and where you tap that source . . .
as I recall PIAA instructions tell you to go to the headlights themselves and this can cause problems .... the factory kit goes back to the body control module, also called the 'computer' and taps the line that sends the signal to tell another relay to activate the HB .....
So either go to the factory tap point at the OBC or skip the HB tie in and go to any switched power source for your relay's trigger line.
As I PM'd .... send me a diagram of what you've done and I can possibly suggest a fix havinr installed several sets of driving lights on GEN1 mini
as I recall PIAA instructions tell you to go to the headlights themselves and this can cause problems .... the factory kit goes back to the body control module, also called the 'computer' and taps the line that sends the signal to tell another relay to activate the HB .....
So either go to the factory tap point at the OBC or skip the HB tie in and go to any switched power source for your relay's trigger line.
As I PM'd .... send me a diagram of what you've done and I can possibly suggest a fix havinr installed several sets of driving lights on GEN1 mini
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