UK/Gov website:
Vehicle manufacturers must fit DRL to new types of passenger car and light goods vehicle (car derived vans) type approved to European vehicle requirements from February 20111 . In practice this means that any new model launched after this date, and many launched before, will be fitted with DRL. However, existing models on sale before this date without DRL fitted can continue to be sold and used indefinitely.
Questions -
Do you really feel the need to fit these?
What size are the reflectors fitted? (to the front bumper only I hope)
What size (Watts) are the lit versions?
Do you really think illuminating them will be effective to other road users?
DRL’s are supposed to be “highly visible” to other road users, but only in daylight, not at night. The legislation says they must switch on automatically when the engine is running, but go to manual (DRL’s off) when it get’s darker. This means control must be by a light level sensor - but not where nightime driving (headlights - yours or others) can affect the light sensor. Interpretation is open to question, but in my book, that’s what is required. You could also assume a relay connected to the headlight wiring, will cut off the auto setting of the DRL’s, that needs to be with normally closed contacts, or changeover contacts, so that in daylight the auto DRL’s are on, but off when the headlights are in use. Either way, it isn’t as simple as you may think.
The “Highly visible” comment (mine) is described as ‘so bright’ that if used at nightime, they may cause ‘dazzle’ to other road users. So - a 2.4 watt light - or lights do not qualify.
In my logic, if another vehicle driver, Bike driver, cyclist or pedestrian can’t tell that you car is moving needs specsavers, or basic intelligence that your car is moving. However, the law is the law (For cars built after 2011, but including cars built before if supplied with DRL’s from date of manufacture like Volvo as one example.)
If you still want to carry on with this, then I’ll be pleased to tell you how.
This has been discussed before but as side marker lights not DRL’s.
Like Gerry says do you really want them to act as DRL’S bearing in mind they will be on the sides of the bumper(s) front and maybe rear?
I think the discussion in others threads (way back) went in the direction of if they are side markers they should be orange and maybe red to the rears, a big vague maybe others can help here?
I made this enquiry on MX5 parts when I fitted the orange and red bumper side-markers/reflectors supplied by them to my an ND got the following response:
I noticed on your review of the US spec corner reflectors, you said it was a shame you can't illuminate the reflectors.
Well, you can. We have done it to our car and one other customer's car. We haven't yet made a kit of parts up, because it takes a while to get a kit together that will work for everyone. But if you are handy with electrics, and you are happy to wire to bulbs in yourself, you can do it.
2 x White LED bulb kits (the amber bulbs that come with the holders are not suitable) : https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/sidelight-bulb-white-models-1989-2015-p-1818.html each pack contains 2 bulbs, so you need 2 packs. We recommend using LED bulbs because they take less current and therefore have less chance of triggering and fault codes.
8 x Crimps, 4 x scotchlocks or similar 4 x ring crimp terminals, plenty of thin gauge wire to extend the wire tails of the bulb holders
Change the amber bulbs for the white LEDS.
The positive side (white wire) of the bulb holders are extended to the back of the headlamps for the front reflectors and the back of the rear light clusters for the rear reflectors.
The positive side of the front side reflectors goes to the brown wire at the back of the headlamp unit.
The positive side of the rear reflectors goes to the pink wire at the back of the rear light clusters.
The black wires are extended to the nearest earthing point and the ring crimp terminals are used to secure the wire to the earth point.
The bulbs should now come on with the exterior lights. If the LED bulbs fail to light, turn them round as they are polarity sensitive and only work one way round. If you get them the wrong way round in the holder they will not work.
Having had my Eunos import examined by th DREAL ( Ministry ) here in France as part of the registration process I was advised that only orange ( either reflectors or reflectors which illuminate ) are all owed on the side of vehicles. He instructed me that the rear bumper reflectors on the NA, which are red as opposed to orange on the european models, must be removed or changed to orange.
It is my understanding that a white light can not be displayed on the side of a vehicle.
I am pretty sure the illuminated clear side markers which replace the orange reflectors, from the likes of MX5 parts , are supplied with an orange bulb, which is in keeping with the law.
This thread started with a query about DRL’s, and apparently - using side marker reflectors as such - if illuminated. If you can’t see the difference, I give up. Typical case of not reading the first post, but following on from the last post, which was also off topic. The original header stated what the post was about. Interesting information for Mk3 and Mk4 owners possibly, but not for the owner of a Mk2.5 car - who wishes to use side markers as DRL’s.
Gerryn. Your comment is really a little condescending. It is possible that the original poster may have wished to illuminate his side markers (if not as DRL’s) to come on as sidelights, so that is why the alternative option solution was offered. However as you say this is probably illegal for white markers but not necessarily for amber side markers, which have the features necessary to allow them to be illuminated. Also, not everybody is familiar with some of the subtle differences between models. I have seen posts going far more off topic than this.
I only want them to be “Side markers” (NOT DRL’s) but to come on with the ignition (Or Fuel pump) instead of the side lights
They are white reflectors but have Amber bulbs in the front and Red bulbs in the rears - they are a direct replacement for the Amber ones that Mazda fitted
Much like USA “Running lights” - not for long distance visibility.
Yes please Gerryn, I would be grateful if you could tell me how to accomplish this
It seems I need to apologise to both First rider off and LffSam, as it now appears the OP has not only changed the header for this thread, but also qualified what he actually wanted. So - Sorry to both posters, I humbly apologise.
Clarification accepted, but this needs additional questions and remarks.
Forget tagging onto the fuel pump circuit, while it seems logical, you need to think about all the external wiring involved in connecting all four corners of the car. One short circuit, and you have total failure of not just marker lights, bit the fuel pump also - result, you could be stuck somewhere a fair way from home.
I’m stuck for a camera at the moment, my digital camera does not seem to want to recharge the battery, and my old 35mm Film camera is out of film, and that is a rare commodity in this digital age.
So first question is - do you want the marker lights to illuminate all the time the engines running regardless of lighting conditions? - (daytime weather this week would make marker lights virtually invisible) Or only on when the other driving lights are off?
Impression I have now is that you want them on all the time. (Off when driving lights are on involves more work, and a relay.)
Without a camera, next question will need some input from you, as a visual check is needed. Open the bonnet, and see if there’s a vertical buttress (large bracket) mounted on the internal bodywork on the right hand corner inside the engine bay, close to the slam panel. If it’s there, are there then two sockets should be available, both mounted on one side if it? Original purpose was for aircon, but there’s an ignition switched live to one of the two sockets with a pink wire leading to it. This is fused with a 7.5 amp fuse, in the dash mounted fusebox, labelled A/C. As this also feeds both relays needed for heated switch switching (only available with leather seats from a Sport model), then if you have no future wish to add these, or aircon either, that fuse is more than adequate to supply your side markers. You can plug into this socket - to the pink live feed, with a normal male crimp connector, and from that point on, wiring is entirely up to you.
If you find the bracket, and the relay sockets mounted on it, if you have a multi-meter (essential item for not just the car, but household appliances too) you can check that the pink wire IS live by checking between it and earth - car body). Use the red lead to poke into each socket on the relay base, but as there are two live connections, you need the one fed from the pink wire.
You can either carry an earth wire right through along with the live wire (Red, Black for earth) or do a separate earth at each marker light. Total current, with normal bulbs, should be no more than 2 amps maximum, LED bulbs will be less. For better insulation all round, use paired cable, you can run it where you like then, as long as it’s clear of any brake, suspension of other mechanical item liable to movement. I would suggest 1mm (inner wire diameter) is better fro any possible voltage drop. This is available widely in most electric shops or general hardware (like B&Q for example) Connection to each individual lamp should be in parallel - not series. If you use LED’s make sure the bulb connection is correct, as First Rider off noted in his recent post.
The PDF comes tom mind as a useful transit point, from front to rear, but leave a enough spare at the each end for possible movement of the frame itself. Use cable ties to hold the cable in place along the frame. The PDF is the girder like structure that connects between the gearbox and rear diff - in case you didn’t know. A ot easier than fishing through the interior.l!
You will need enough cable to go all round the car, and enough ■■■■ connectors to make joints if you don’t have a pair, a good crimp connector pair of pliers too. - Halfords will sell you everything you need.
Anything you aren’t sure of, or don’t understand, just ask, or PM me if you prefer.
Sorry Gerry to come back on this one but for LLfsam’s benefit I have to say that I have changed from orange side reflectors to white ones but not installing the four orange bulbs that come in the German kit. My 2.5 Passes the CT every time without comment. Suspect DREAL may be pushing it.
Sorry Gerry to come back on this one but for LLfsam’s benefit I have to say that I have changed from orange side reflectors to white ones but not installing the four orange bulbs that come in the German kit. My 2.5 Passes the CT every time without comment. Suspect DREAL may be pushing it.
The issue I had at the DREAL was that the rear side reflectors on the Enos were red. It is illegal to show a red reflector or light on the side of a vehicle if France ( I think that goes for the rest of the EU ).
No problems if I had changed them to orange. The MX5s made for europe were supplied with orange rear side reflectors.