How To: Day Time Running Lights Disable Spec V's

This is a cool Mod I did this weekend. Thanks to angel2167882 on B15 for his write up. I have added some of my own pics…

History
Well since 1989, every vehicles sold in Canada should be equipped with daytime running lights for security purpose. This mean that at least a pair of front lights should ALWAYS BE ON (intensity may vary from full light). You can find more info on that law here: http://www.tc.gc.ca/en/faq/road.htm#daytime running lights.

Why to do it?!
Well, U.S. model don’t have it, so why mine should? Also, with the headlights always on, they will burn out earlier and I want to take care of my PIAA ;). And finally, the look is so cool without it. Plus, I really don’t think any cops will bother me with that. If so, the surgery is reversible easily!

The Basics
So, how it works? Simple. Every Canadian B15 (and probably every Nissan) headlight wiring pass by a module call the Danytime Light Control Unit (DLCU). This module controls every aspect of the headlight including daytime light, low beam, high beam, car park, etc). The daytime light only work when every others lights are off. Once you turn on parking light, low or high, they will “turn off”. The daytime light are actually the high beam headlight wired in series, thus operating at half illumination.

This idea came to me because when the parking brake is apply (pull) before to start the car, the daytime light WON’T turn on. So, the easiest way to disable the daytime light are to fake the DLCU by let him think the parking brake is always apply. That way, headlight will work as usual without the daytime light when everything else is off. Also, after the mod, your “brake” cluster warning light will still be fully functional and operate as normal.

Part needed:- Only 1’ of 16~18 gauge size wire (can be done even without it)
Tools needed:- Screwdriver set- Wire skinner/cutter- Electrical tape
Time required: 30 minutes

Skill: Easy

How-to step-by-step:- Remove key from ignition (if so)

  • Open the driver’s door
  • Apply (pull) parking hand brake
  • Locate and remove the plastic screw-nut on the lower left dash garnish panel
    http://pages.infinit.net/angel666/Sentra/daytime/guard.jpg
  • Pull the lower side garnish a bit to free up the other one
  • Remove the plastic garnish
  • You now have access to the DLCU (the black plastic box)
  • Unscrew the metal harness
    http://pages.infinit.net/angel666/Sentra/daytime/unit.jpg
  • Locate the light green wire. This wire goes (not directly) to the parking brake switch. When brake is apply, ground (0V) is on that wire; when parking brake release, battery voltage (+12V) is on that wire.
  • Cut and skin it
  • Isolate with electrical tape the wire coming from the hand brake switch
  • Tie and tape the 1’ spare wire to the connector side wire
  • Skin long enough the spare wire and wind around the harness screw. This will fake the DLCU by always sending a ground signal and thinking the parking brake is applied.

    http://pages.infinit.net/angel666/Sentra/daytime/wiregrnd.jpg
  • Plug back the connector
  • Screw back the harness with carefully being sure wire is under the bolt
  • Test your setup
  • Put back the plastic garnish
  • You’re done!

Optional

A switch to the mod is great. At least now, the mod is totally reversible with simply a touch of a button :stuck_out_tongue: (good for aware cops)

As for the switch itself, let me just tell you that you need a “ON-ON”, 3 pin switch. This is because if the light green wire is not grounded anymore, it need to make a contact with the original cable. If you use a regular 2 pin switch, the signal going into the DCLU will be “floating” and this is no good in electricity. Let me explain it in details…

Wiring with switch specs:- Switch to OFF: Contact is made with the ground screw and the light green wire going into the DCLU (like the original mod)- Switch to ON: Contact is made with the light green wire end-to-end (like the factory setup)

Hope you understand… if not, don’t worry, I have enclose pics just below :smiley:

Switch and hole cut into the garnish:
http://pages.infinit.net/angel666/Sentra/daytime/switch1.jpg

Switch wiring with the actual mod:
http://pages.infinit.net/angel666/Sentra/daytime/switch2.jpg

Oh and last thing… once you turn on the switch while the car is running, the day light WON’T come off if the switch is turn back off after (until engine is turn off again). This is exactly like how it work with the hand brake on the stock setup.

Now I think my mod is complete :cool:

Because its a DOT requirement here in Canada.

Thanks man… Most of it was a write up from someone else… That’s why I have a switch… I turn it of when I want to take photos or hanging out at meets.

this is an awesome & simple mod since its easly reversible.
i did the switch also, but i seem to have broke it from hitting it w/ my foot and now its stuck in the off position.

do you know if you even have DTRL w/ hids? ever since i installed them i havent had any DTRL…
and btw, some cop cars dont even have DTRL so i would just argue that if i got a ticket.

ryan, did you do the fog light one too?
theres a good how to on myspecv in case you missed ut.

and if you got a ticket for having blue and red lights on your car would you just fight it by saying cops have them, so why cant i?

I highly doubt you would get a ticket for not having any DTRLs. I see alot of vehicles newer than 90 registered in canada without them.

I disabled mine because i HATE that dull yellowy white look. I do sometimes drive with my park lights on. So if i were to go into a tunnel and its dark (i think there are 2 maybe a whole 100yards long in edmonton) or if its overcast out, i still have some type of lights.

At night, i turn on my headlights when the street lights turn on. it works the other way in the morning.

Yep I did the foglight mod…

within reason mike…
whats the advantage of them not having DTRL’s?
as opposed to flashing lights and stuff…

you know what i mean?

if they are going to enforce the law, dont you think they should start with they police cars…

Weird, I coulda sworn I did a whole how-to on here about how to do the DTRL and also the Foglight re-wire, oh well…

Also, in regards to the last post, I wouldn’t complain about a cop car not having DTRL how do you think you can spot them with or without a Radar Detector 8) (“Is that a ghost car or Gramps? Yup it’s Gramps he’s got the DTRL!” lol) . But, yeah Police cars DTRL are rendered usless after the installation of their emergency lights do to the fact that even their headlights flash when they have their lights on.

ahhhhh… k i got now.