Originally my 2004 Ranger did not have daytime running lights (DRLs). After the dealer fixed a problem with my windshield wipers not turning off, I somehow ended up with DRLs.

I have just installed a set of HID's on my Ranger. They do not stay light as the halogen bulbs did when the truck is running with the parking brake off (its a manual). This does not bother me at all since I never wanted daytime running lights to begin with.

What does bother me is that when I take off the parking brake, the HIDs light up for half a second, then turn off. Worse, if I don't have the headlights on when I disengage the parking brake, the HIDs won't turn on unless I set the parking brake and turn on the headlights.

What I'd like to know - will there be a problem with the low voltage constantly flowing to my HIDs from the DRLs without them turning on? Is there any way to turn off the DRLs other than taking the truck to Ford? I can't find any module behind the headlights as listed in other threads other than the ABS plug.

 

first take it back and ***** a fit they where supposed to fix the wipers not add DRL...

 

Unfortunately its a few years too late and a few hundred miles too far, Zach.

 

I want to say that its just some programming with the computer. And that its as simple as to taking your truck to the dealer and telling them to turn them off. Like all the rangers have DRL programmed into the computer its just that the Canadian ones had them turned on and the USA ones had them left off. Do not take my answer as 100% correct because its too early in the morning and I haven't searched anything.

 

Here you go this is what I found when I was looking through some threads.

 

You'll burnout your HIDs or ballasts with that setup sooner than later if you ask me. HIDs like to be ON or OFF. Not on for a second, flickering, etc.

 

Thanks Cody, they did change out my fuse panel, I guess they gave me a Canadian one. IF you find any info on a fuse I can pull to shut them off, please let me know. My searching hasn't found me anything yet.

 

So I figured, I hope there's something as simple as a fuse to pull.

 

Well take a gander under that fuse panel and see if there is anything labeled drl's or something if so pull that fuse and see what happens or if you find a fuse spot that it not supposed to be used and there is a fuse there then pull that fuse and see what happens. Just a simple process of elimination.

 

I don't think the DRL's are operated by the computer and therefore isn't a programmable option.

 

I'll be honest with ya, I thought about that, but I'm feeling mighty lazy today. I might get out there to check it out after the football game.

From searching around other sites, thanks to google, I've found that it may indeed be programmable for 01 and up.

 

There is a separate DRL Module on Rangers through 2003. Starting in 2004, it became part of a circuit board in the Smart Junction Box under the right kick panel.

 

DRL's are NOT controlled by the computer or a dash fuse or underhood fuse. There is a relay behind the front bumper on the driver side. Pull the relay, loose the DRL function.

Quick and easy. Just seal the harness up with electrical tape to keep moisture out.

*EDIT*

Posted a second after the previous post......looks like the 03+ years lost the "easy" way of doing things.

BTW....original poster......you brought your Ranger in for a wiper issue and you got the truck back with DRL's??? I'd question that!!!!

 

Yeah Chris, I took the truck in for the wipers, they fixed that by replacing the fuse box or something of that nature. Now I have DRLs. Go figure.

Bob, is there any relatively easy way I can disable these, or do I have to bring the truck to a dealer?

 

I thought there was a relay that controlled the DRL's.

 

I don't know the answer to that and the literature that I have has no info on how to enable/disable the DRLs. I see two possibilities:


1). There are different versions of the SJB for the U.S and Canada, either non-DRL or DRL-capable;

OR

2). The SJB is common between U.S and Canadian models and is configurable through the Module Communication Network to enable/disable the DRLs. This kind of change would require a dealer tool.



Although I have nothing to support it, my gut feeling is that it is #2 and the dealer inadvertently enabled the DRLs while fixing your other problem. I would check the repair invoice to make sure that they didn't replace the entire SJB to fix the wiper problem. If not, then they probably just have the parameters set incorrectly.

 

Bob I think you are right looking at the wiring diagram for the headlights the DRL function is controlled by the SJB.

 

Bob, I know for a fact that I do not have the dealer invoice handy. I am not in the habit of keeping them -which perhaps I should.

Bob or Chad, do you have a wiring diagram showing the relay for the headlights and its location? There should probably be a wire going to them that operates the DRLs.

 

There are no mechanical relays for the headlights nor the DRLs. The DRL control is solid state on the SJB board for 2004+.

 

John send me a PM with your shipping info, I have a xmas present for you.

As Bob said you are going to have to go the dealer and have them turn your DRL's off.

 

PM sent Chad... I'm trusting it's not going to be dog poop.

Bob, I was hoping you would not say that, but I've come up with an idea that may work. I could cut the + wires that run my low beams and cut the + wire that runs off of my headlight swich (headlights only), then connect a relay in between, thus hopefully bypassing the SJB. Have you any way of knowing if it would work, and if it would it screw up my corner lights?

 

I don't think it will do anything to your running lights. As for the headlights I am really not sure if that will work or not, I will look at the wiring diagram some more and let you know.

 

Thanks Chad. I can see a posibility that the SJB gets to that wire before it gets to the headlights. If that's the case, other than going to the dealer, the only other option I can think of would be to put in a switch right next to the headlight switch to cut the power to the headlights.

 

The wires do go from the multi switch to the SJB then to the headlights. It looks like the SJB controls the high and low beams the DRL's and the cluster high beam indicator. Which means a trip to the dealer to have them turned off.

 

The corners, tails, license and other running lights are on a separate control circuit from the headlights. It should be possible to bypass the SJB. The high and low beam circuits go through and are fused separately in the SJB. I would just get the DRLs turned off at the dealer that accidentally turned them on.