Tapping into turn lights for DRL

[mrlancealot]

Hi Guys,

TLDR;

• Has anyone tapped into the turn signals?
• By what method did you tap into the turn signals?

LONG

I've got a pair of DRLs connected to a DRL controller similar to the one below:

https://imgur.com/a/cLIotmq



I've got all the cables connected except for the yellows.

From what I've read before, although it isn't clear in any of the ebay listings for such a device, these yellow wires are triggers to turn on/off the DRLs when the car is unlocked/locked.

Based on this assumption (and also to tidy up the cables) I want to tap into the turn signals.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but unlike the headlights, the turn signals don't seem to have a fuse in the engine bay fuse block.

Therefore to tap into the turn signals, I'd have to split the wires at or near the turn lights themselves.

I've had a poke around the turn signal area and I found the wires are pretty short. Not long enough to pull out and do any major work.

My conclusion is that to tap into the turn signal, you'd have to remove the headlights to give yourself enough space to tap into it.

So my questions are:

• Has anyone tapped into the turn signals?
• By what method did you tap into the turn signals?

[bumblebee]

You should be able to modify the ETACS box as well. There is info on the forum on how to do it manually.
Or you can use Mmcoding writer.
I have setup fog light some time ago.
I tapped off the positive of the Parker led and used it as a trigger on a relay
The relay kicks in and fires up the fog lights
The fog light toggle switch is in the cabin with me on the lower right side next to the traction control
Easy peasy

[mrlancealot]

Hey Bumblebee,

Thanks for your suggestion but my setup is a little different, I don't have any switches to turn the lights on. Everything is automatic.

* I've tapped the red cable into the ACC, so it automatically comes on when I start the car
* I've tapped the white cable to the headlights so it automatically turns off when my headlights are on
* When I remove the key from the ignition, the lights stay on for 5s and then turn off automatically

My main aim is I want to tap the yellow lights into the turn signals.

This should allow the DRLs to come on when I unlock the car from a distance.

[Lancer1993]

Mine only dim with the headlight but they are seperate from the headlight unit.

Not sure about the turn signal thing.

[mrlancealot]

@Lancer1993

My previous DRL controller did the same thing (dimming). This new one I bought does not. I miss the fact it does not dim - although I believe it is more legal that it does switch off.

Re: Turn signal cable. I'm pretty sure it switches on when car is unlocked. Would be good to get that feature going.

[Lancer1993]

I thought the turning thing would dim or turn off the DRL on that side when indicating, like it does on most cars where the DRLs are part of the headlight.

Same goes for dimming, on cars with factory DRLs they often dim the DRLs and the don't turn off, either when you use the headlights or indicating.

I know when they first came out Police were confused as to the rules thinking people were running around with there fog lights on, some had to show then the cars manual.

[mrlancealot]

I thought the turning thing would dim or turn off the DRL on that side when indicating

If that was its only function then I won't be bothered. But if it did turn on when unlocking the car then I'd be interested.

From the replies so far though, it seems no one has tried to do this yet.

[bumblebee]

Find the wire for the indicators and tap it using a "posi-tap"
I bet it is looking for the positive wire.

[Tywhiteguy]

I had some drl switchback tubes a while back and if you tap into the right wire, it should light up amber whenever your turn signals are activated (lock/unlock, hazards, etc.)

[mrlancealot]

@bumblebee I'm a bit wary about connectors that cut into the wire but the Posi Tap looks like it punctures more than cuts in. So I might look into that. Thanks

Also, what gauge should I be looking at?

[mrlancealot]

@Tywhiteguy Do the lights light up (and stay up) when you unlocked your car?

[bumblebee]

The connection that cut the wire will cause more headaches then cures. The posi-tap units are magic for small stuff like this. They do also have waterproof units .
Quite inexpensive and reusable if needed.

[Tywhiteguy]

The gauge is usually 16 or 18 AWG and no I connected the wire for the drl to my parkers so only on when I have the lights turned at least one notch

[mrlancealot]

Thanks guys. Looking more into it.

Posi Tap seems hard to find. Jaycar didn't seem to have it.

[bumblebee]

eBay or AliExpress
Posi-tap for the win