Driver's side DRL went out

[machoman1337]

This morning I was driving behind a Ford Flex with a very reflective blue paint job, and thus was able to see the front of my car reflected on the Flex's body.

 

That was when I realized that something was wrong - the DRL on the driver's side wasn't working! I checked the low and high beams and thankfully those are ok, but given that DRLs are mandated by law in Canada, this is worrying. I really hope this isn't a side effect of the HID kit I installed back in March.

 

Has anyone else experienced this? Sadly, the ESP brochure implies that headlights aren't covered by PremiumCARE :( I'm wondering if I should bother with going to the dealer or if I should just get a third party mechanic to handle this.

[ElectricFan69]

If your turn signal was on, that's normal behavior - turn signal will 'turn off' the side's DRL.

[md13ffhguy]

Hmmm. Both of mine are out...

 

Lol!

[machoman1337]

If your turn signal was on, that's normal behavior - turn signal will 'turn off' the side's DRL.

 

Turn signals were off. I was just waiting in traffic. Verified on the drive back from work as well.

[FernMTL]

You've install HID? One of your bulb or ballast is defective. The DRL use the main bulb, yours is now Xenon, so not covered by Ford. How is you HID setup? Relay-Ballast-Bulb?

[machoman1337]

My HID kit has a relay and ballast - ensuring that they don't turn off if I activate a turn signal. The kit is brand new and a reputable company supplied both the parts and installation.

 

Also, inexplicably my driver's side DRL was working again this morning - verified by checking the reflection in multiple cars ahead on my way to work. Yesterday it wasn't working on the trip to work and back... going to wait and see if it happens again before I try any repairs.

 

What do you mean by the DRL using the same bulb? Does it mean that the Fusion's DRLs are actually the same as the low-beams, just at a lower brightness? I was under the impression that all cars in Canada had three sets of lights (DRLs, low beams, high beams) not including turn signals.

[Waldo]

Sounds like you should have done a but more research before installing your HID kit. The DRL system uses a pulse-width modulated signal to operate the low beam bulbs at reduced intensity (this is how almost all DRL systems have worked for 25+ years though they often use high-beams, not low beams). Running a PWM signal through an HID system is a very bad thing to do; it will shorten their life significantly. That's why vehicles with factory HID lights always use the parking lamps or fog lamps as DRL. I'd recommend always driving around with your low beams on until you can get it fixed properly. If you find a dealer that really knows what they are doing, they should be able to change your DRLs to be the fog lamps.

Edited May 26, 2016 by Waldo

[FernMTL]

Normally, DRL's runs at 6V and 12v the rest of the time. To eliminate this problem, your relay as to be connected directly to your 12V battery to get constant 12v. Xenon bulb needs constant 12V and 23 000 Volts for a fraction of a second to trigger, that's what your ballasts (with integrated or exterior capacitor) are used for. That's why one of your bulb doesn't trigger sometimes, you're not getting enough power to the bulbs.

 

On my previous car, I've plugged the relay directly to the 12 V car battery, then to the ballasts and bulbs. The relay as a wire that you can connect to the OEM bulb wire to get the signal (low-high). Your OEM bulb wires should never be use to get power to your ballasts.

 

If you can take pictures of your setup, It would help us.

Edited May 26, 2016 by FernMTL

[ceilidhdog]

My DRLs don't turn off when I use the turn signals.

[machoman1337]

I feel so dumb now :(... didn't realize the DRLs aren't actually separate lamps. I observed a lot of other cars (typically German luxury makes) using fancy factory LEDs as DRLs while the low beams were HIDs, and thought that the DRL system was dedicated when in reality those were probably the fog/parking lamps.

 

Here's the kit I have (installed by the same company): http://www.rpmelectronics.com/auto-lighting/hid-kits/hyperion-hid-kit-elite-h11- the product description does look like RPM is aware of the need for a proper relay for DRL usage, especially since they are Canadian and the law here mandates DRLs. They do offer 2-year warranties so I could always go back to RPM on a weekend.

 

As for photos, what sort do you guys need? I can't take direct shots of the actual kit because it would require bumper removal which I don't have time to do right now.

Edited May 26, 2016 by machoman1337

[gkinla]

My DRLs don't turn off when I use the turn signals.

I had my dealer turn on the DRLs on on my 2013 FFH, the DRLs didn't turn off when using the turn signals. I now have a 2016 Energi, I turned the DRLs on with controls in the left dash screen. These DRLs do shut off when using the turn signals.

Edited May 26, 2016 by gkinla

[Waldo]

My DRLs don't turn off when I use the turn signals.

 

That feature was added in the 2014.

[FernMTL]

 

Here's the kit I have (installed by the same company): http://www.rpmelectronics.com/auto-lighting/hid-kits/hyperion-hid-kit-elite-h11- the product description does look like RPM is aware of the need for a proper relay for DRL usage, especially since they are Canadian and the law here mandates DRLs. They do offer 2-year warranties so I could always go back to RPM on a weekend.

 

 

Don't bother taking off your number ;).

What I understand is that you don't actually have the relay harness installed? If no, It cost 20$ and your problem is over.

[machoman1337]

Don't bother taking off your number ;).

What I understand is that you don't actually have the relay harness installed? If no, It cost 20$ and your problem is over.

 

I checked my detailed receipt from RPM Electronics and it did say they installed a relay harness. Perhaps it wasn't done quite right - I do have the option of going back to them though since it's well within the 2-year warranty.

[FernMTL]

2 year warranty is good. Let them fix it.