DRL issue - need em/dont have em

[Alcyone]

So i just brought in my Alcyone last month, and due to these silly canadian laws - i need DRLs!

Now ive been reading around the boards for a few days, and i noticed a trend. Other models that were factory built with DRLs used the fog lights.

Originally i was thinking this was gonna take some asinine wiring (asinine because i dont want to have DRLs at all, and will likely want to revert once the inspection is completed) but now i'm thinking, is there a way to just permanently leave my fog lights ON?

For those not 100% acquainted with the JDM models, we have a completely independant fog light switch, which will operate on/off regardless of the state of any of the other lights. Except it will always turn off when the car is off.

now the actual question:
Is there a way to mod something in the in-dash button, so that the fog light is always on? Ideally leaving the button non functional on the inside, or something like that.

[redlightningsvx]

Just leave the fog light button pushed in all the time, and if you want it to look like it's not on just remove the light inside the switch.

[Alcyone]

Well the inspection is looking for DRLs, specifically (among other things)
to be on the safe side, im going to assume the inspectors arent total idiots, so when they look the car over, they could potentially discover i just left the fog lights on, and then turn to me "yeah, these arent DRLs. but we can install some for you for hundreds of dollars!"

as for taking the light out, wouldnt that still make the button function?
im looking for a solution where the button is no longer functional.
can i perhaps take the mechanism out, and replace it with some sort of wire or something?

[Earthworm]

Do the fogs come back on when you start the car or do you have to turn them on every time?

Just show the guys at Canadian Tire that when you start the engine the headlights come on...end of story.

[edmsvx]

Another JDM SVX in Alberta. Welcome to this site. Which model did you get?

You can pickup a DRL module at Canadian Tire. HAMSAR is the name brand. The fellow that installed it on my car set it up to turn on the Park lights (both front and rear). Since the JDM use the city light in the high beam reflector it appears that you are running a DRL. The bulb is only a 4W bulb so it is not very bright. Mine passed inspection okay. I have since pulled the fuse from the DRL module.

CDN SVX do use the Fog light as the running light. When you turn your headlight on the fogs go off. Canadian laws only allow a total of 4 white lights to be on at a time. Your JDM will allow you to have High, Low and Fog on so this could be a problem if the outfit doing the inspection check. Check with the local guys in Edmonton that import JDM cars to see where they go for inspection as each inspection outfit will have different opinion on what they except. You should have reflector on the front (amber) corner lights as well, the corner lights on the JDM are clear, again my car passed okay, however, several JDM cars I have seen they had to add.

I will send you a PM with the outfit that did the out of province inspection on my SVX if I can find it.

[Alcyone]

Originally Posted by edmsvx

Another JDM SVX in Alberta. Welcome to this site. Which model did you get?

You can pickup a DRL module at Canadian Tire. HAMSAR is the name brand. The fellow that installed it on my car set it up to turn on the Park lights (both front and rear). Since the JDM use the city light in the high beam reflector it appears that you are running a DRL. The bulb is only a 4W bulb so it is not very bright. Mine passed inspection okay. I have since pulled the fuse from the DRL module.

CDN SVX do use the Fog light as the running light. When you turn your headlight on the fogs go off. Canadian laws only allow a total of 4 white lights to be on at a time. Your JDM will allow you to have High, Low and Fog on so this could be a problem if the outfit doing the inspection check. Check with the local guys in Edmonton that import JDM cars to see where they go for inspection as each inspection outfit will have different opinion on what they except. You should have reflector on the front (amber) corner lights as well, the corner lights on the JDM are clear, again my car passed okay, however, several JDM cars I have seen they had to add.

I will send you a PM with the outfit that did the out of province inspection on my SVX if I can find it.

I have no idea which 'model' i got. i tried to compare model specs and whatnot, but JDM is way diff than the north american info i was privy to.
Its a 91, cruise, 'suede' with leather inserts, and no sunroof

as for that "HAMSAR", i purchased one of those as well. $40 isnt a big deal.
however, i dont like all this electrical messing about i'm to do to install it. and i know theres a fuse to 'kill' it down the road, but somehow it just feels wrong to have unecessary/useless hardware under the hood.
So i thought about the problem critically for a bit, and i think this temporary fog-light rig may be the perfect solution. Assuming its as simple as i see it in my head.

Can any 'sparkies' lend their opinion on the issue?

[edmsvx]

Your VIN will tell you either CXW or CXD

[Alcyone]

CXW

whats the difference?

[edmsvx]

Biggest is that CXD came with electronic 4WS and autolights.

JAMSVX has a lot of information on his site on the differences and options

http://www.geocities.com/jamsvx/

[svxcess]

Send Chris Gooderman "CDG" a private message.

He came down from Vancouver to buy my 92 Pearlie and had to add the DRL circuit to get it registered. He solved the problem and I am sure he would be glad to help

[zavikan]

Its been a while since of been in my car

The foglight button is on one of the 3 button sets on either side of the wheel right? (like the hazard switch, and the defogger).

If I am correct, simply take the blank button switch (in the US, this is located on the right side of the wheel), and switch it with the foglight switch.

Best part is, it has no hole (so no light shinning thru it), and its not pushable.

I hope im right in my assumption of the foglight button..

Then I can feel really smart.

[Alcyone]

Originally Posted by zavikan

Its been a while since of been in my car

The foglight button is on one of the 3 button sets on either side of the wheel right? (like the hazard switch, and the defogger).

If I am correct, simply take the blank button switch (in the US, this is located on the right side of the wheel), and switch it with the foglight switch.

Best part is, it has no hole (so no light shinning thru it), and its not pushable.

I hope im right in my assumption of the foglight button..

Then I can feel really smart.

i feel this is the brilliant answer i have been seeking
i will try it later on in the week, and report back. and i'll pm buddy to see how he solved his "legal requirement"

[Alcyone]

okay, so i went tinkering tonight because who wants to go to bars and clubs right? hah

anyways, the button switch wont work as an "OEM" solution
the problem lies in the fact the blank button is too long. thats what prevents it from being depressable, BUT also! since the fog light switch is depressed while they are "ON", the little clips required to hold the button in place, are out of reach for the long-toothed blank button.
on the other hand, the actual fog light button is somewhat shorter, accomodating for this in/out play. theres also no way to remove the button, turn it on, then clip in the blank button, for the same afforementioned reason
In effect, this could work if i glued/taped the blank button over the depressed fog light switch, but that felt a little bit of a unprofessional solution.

in hindsight, i shoulda taken the ghetto solution and stopped there, but...

then i decided to take the module apart to see what was up inside. im gonna make another thread with a more descriptive title, and continue the saga in there