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Soulrider911

Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 108

1989 Defender 90 2.5 TD SW Chawton White

Yet another DRL ( daytime running lights) question

Hey friends. Starting to plan out some healthy improvements to my D90. I have searched through previous posts on this topic, but was not able o get the answer I was looking for.

My Defender when I turn it on, has no Daytime running lights. Obviously I can toggle the light switch to position 1 which will turn on the side lights. But I ALWAYS forget to turn that off.

Here is the question. Do these older Defenders come with DRL’s? If so then mine is not working?

Next up, say i want to add a bumper with LEDS and or headlights that I would like to to behave a true DRLs when the ignition is on. Then when the side lights are toggled on they dim.

I would LOVE any help on this, apologies if this is confusing tried to separate the questions here rather than posting 2 different posts.

10th Jul 2022 8:41pm

shropshiredefender

Member Since: 05 Jun 2017
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 834

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black

Nope DRL's were not fitted to proper Defenders like yours.

There are kits available to fit properly working DRL's (bright in daylight, less so when the side/head lights are on)

Something like this https://www.devon4x4.com/bumper-led-lamps.html

This is the first one that I found, personally I'd avoid Britpart (replacing Br with Sh gives you an idea of Britpart quality

) Just because you're offended doesn't mean you're right.

Last edited by shropshiredefender on 10th Jul 2022 8:56pm. Edited 1 time in total

10th Jul 2022 8:47pm

Soulrider911

Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 108

Thank you!. If you would not mind sharing or know of any kits I would love to see them. I want to do this right with the dimming. cheers

10th Jul 2022 8:53pm

shropshiredefender

Member Since: 05 Jun 2017
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 834

Edited my post as you posted

Just because you're offended doesn't mean you're right.

10th Jul 2022 8:58pm

wyvern

Member Since: 13 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2107

2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red

Hi Soul-rider
In answer to your questions - DLR were not standard equipment for the original older style Defenders,

The DLR sensor fit directly to your battery and then to the DLR lights with out going to any switch.

When you fit DLR’s you have a small sensor which reads the voltage from your battery and a 'dip’ trigger cable which runs to your side lights .

What happens in reality is that your DLR are triggered by your alternator sending power to your battery - turning them on.
You will not normally have any DLR on if you just use the key in any position without running the engine, the lights will only come on after the engine is running for a few seconds and the sensor detects an increase in voltage.
With the ‘dip’ trigger cable that is linked to your side lights causing the DLR to dip automatically to about 50% brightness when you turn on your vehicle lights.

Also, the DLR's will stay on for a short while after you turn off the engine will the DLR unit discharges the residual voltage, so you dont have to remember to turn them on/off.

Hope that helps !

Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold
Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126

10th Jul 2022 9:05pm

Soulrider911

Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 108

Excellent, thank you so much for the explanation, and makes sense!

I think I found the same part at Masai: https://www.masai4x4.com/defender/winch-bu...167037504.

It appears the kit does come with a relay, which I assume handles the dimming, which then I could probably tap the halo DRL’s in the headlights into?

Thank you very much.

10th Jul 2022 9:06pm

Soulrider911

Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 108

Ok, so I ordered the bumper with the integrated DRL lights, and halo headlights. Hoping I can wire up / piggy back the halo’s off the bumper lights so they behave the same with the dimming

10th Jul 2022 10:45pm

spudfan

Member Since: 10 Sep 2007
Location: Co Donegal
Posts: 4655

I fitted DRL's to two Pumas and everything worked fine. Wired them the very same on two tdi's and they would not work. Had to go to someone who fitted separate relays to the tdi's and then everything worked fine. Puma's must be wired differently to the tdi or they have a relay incorporated that is not on the tdi. 1982 88" 2.25 diesel
1992 110 200tdi csw -Zikali
2008 110 2.4 tdci csw-Zulu
2011 110 2.4 tdci csw-Masai

12th Jul 2022 10:48pm

Soulrider911

Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 108

Thanks so much. Worst case scenario, I can manually add a relay. Found one that does dimming. This one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/134034043681?var=...5388e07424

Should do the trick 1989 Defender 90
2022 Defender 110 SE
DIY’er | Always learning

12th Jul 2022 10:51pm

Soulrider911

Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 108

Ok I have sitting in my garage the led bumper and new headlights with drls. Logically I am going to wire up the drl’s to thr dame switching relay. Great!

I also have a relay and a fuse bank. When I find a 12v I’ll use that as the switch for the relay so I can pull direct from the battery.

However I realized, where am I going to source a switched 12v source? I have read the cigarette lighter, the alternator, and others…? It’s interesting because I have searched through topics on this site and there is not a post that covers this with any sort of photos?

I would love some help. 1989 Defender 90
2022 Defender 110 SE
DIY’er | Always learning

17th Jul 2022 3:30pm

Soulrider911

Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 108

Drew up a wiring diagram. The looming question I would LOVE some help with is where to source a switched 12V. Thank you to anyone who knows, please share

Click image to enlarge 1989 Defender 90
2022 Defender 110 SE
DIY’er | Always learning

17th Jul 2022 9:58pm

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