Daytime Runnig Lights - 2004

[RClauser]

I am having a disagreement with my insurance company regarding daytime running lights. My Ram 2004 3500 does not have them I have researched the issue and found that the US versions do not have daytime running lights but the Canadian & Mexican versions have them. I found the post below about changing the computer to make the truck look like it is a Canadian version. I have talked to two dealers here in Las Vegas, NV and they say it can't be done. Has anyone been successful in changing the truck to look like it is Canadian and have there been any problems. Last does anyone know of a Dodge (Ram) dealer that will flash the computer.
Thanks for any help anyone can give me. Richard Clauser - -- email address removed --
Here is the post I found:

Adding Factory Daytime Running Lights to '04 Ram
________________________________________
My '03 3500 Ram built for the US market has no daytime running lights and I want to add them - the OEM way only - no aftermarket items.

Has anyone accomplished this that can help me. Is it a simple reprogram at the dealer (my local dealer is not knowledgeable on it) or is there more to it - maybe a module to be bought.

I'm not really interested in a debate on the pros and cons of the option, I need to install them since I am being transferred to Canada in several months and it is a requirement for import into the Great White North.

I'd appreciate any help!



Just a thought, but possibly a Canadian dealership could flash your ECM with the Canadian Firmware that has the DRL feature enabled. It may be possible that a US border state would have access to this firmware too. I am almost positive that there are no additional parts needed and this is simply a firmware update. Good Luck!


The day time running lights are not as bright as the low beams are. The dealer has to flash the computer but if memory serves me right ,they have to change the country to make the truck think it's canadian. There is no more modules to buy. There has been other posts on this , you might try the archives. Good luck.

Mike is right, just have dealer flash computer so it's set for Canadian not US. and you will have your daytime running lights....nothing to buy.

Ron W.

ANY dealer can turn them on.They do it with a DRB and change language,Same truck Canada or Mexico.All D.C. products can have daytime running lights turned on in a few minutes.

 

[cerberusiam]

What exactly is the disagreement? The insurance company cannot require DRL on a vehicle that was not OEM delivered with them, that could get into some DOT requirments and regulations that I don't think they want to mess with.

 

[rscurtis]

Using headlights as DRL's is highly overrated IMO. The best DRL's are amber running lights, which are clearly visible and won't lead to the tendency of driving into dusk with no tail or marker lights. Also, if you switched to Silver Star Ultra's as I did, their life is only 250 hours as opposed to 1000 hours for the stockers. I can't see using up bulb life when you don't really need it.

 

[RClauser]

The insurance company (unnamed) Was giving me a $50 a year discount and then they dropped it because the truck does not have daytime running lights. Hint - I am a member of AARP

 

[Bob4x4]

I turned mine on in my 05,I turned them backoff after getting pulled over in Baja

 

[cerberusiam]

The insurance company (unnamed) Was giving me a $50 a year discount and then they dropped it because the truck does not have daytime running lights.

Discount they can deny for whatever reason, that is not coverage. Canada mandated them in 1990 because most of the country is so far north low light ambient levels area problem. Scandanavia and northern EU is the same way, it is due to the ambient light levels. In the US they are allowed but the NTSB has refused to mandate them because there is little proof they do much good and the stnadards for illumination are so broad the glare can be an issue. More worried about emissions than safety here.

The amber colored ones cause the most problems becasue they look yellow and cops just love to pull people over for that and push the issue. Evidently color blindness is rampant in some public service sectors. Mexico is just totally useless as a judge on ANY vehicle configuration as driving a vehicle there is reason enough for them to get involved.

The configuration is available and it just depends on the dealer whether they will turn them on I guess, or, drive over to CA and have Bob turn them on for you. All you can do is ask your favorite dealer to do it. Not sure its functionality is worth any thing in the southern part of the US but the $50 is good enough reason to pursue.

 

[Hoefler]

I have had them turned on in my 05, 08 and my 2010. It is easily done at the dealer with the Star scan tool.

 

[Bob4x4]

Discount they can deny fro whatever reason, that is not coverage. Canada mandated them in 1990 because most of the country is so far north low light ambient levels area problem. Scandanavia and northern EU is the same way, it is due to the ambient light levels. In the US they are allowed but the NTSB has refused to mandate them because there is little proof they do much good and the stnadards for illumination are so broad the glare can be an issue. More worried about emissions than safety here.

The amber colored ones cause the most problems becasue they look yellow and cops just love to pull people over for that and push the issue. Evidently color blindness is rampant in some public service sectors. Mexico is just totally useless as a judge on ANY vehicle configuration as driving a vehicle there is reason enough for them to get involved.

The configuration is available and it just depends on the dealer whether they will turn them on I guess, or, drive over to CA and have Bob turn them on for you. All you can do is ask your favorite dealer to do it. Not sure its functionality is worth any thing in the southern part of the US but the $50 is good enough reason to pursue.

my Baja experience was not because I was using drl but because I only had the drl on-whoops-at night,I did avoid any fine,but tnat part of the story is for another day

 

[Bob4x4]

I have had them turned on in my 05, 08 and my 2010. It is easily done at the dealer with the Star scan tool.

05 would be drb 3,08and 10 would require witech,just a heads up

 

[mwilson]

Does the cluster have an indicator lamp to show when the drl's are on as I have seen in many vehicles?? That would make quite a difference to me at least.

If so, I assume that would start to work when the DRL option is activated.

Mike.

 

[Bob4x4]

Does the cluster have an indicator lamp to show when the drl's are on as I have seen in many vehicles?? That would make quite a difference to me at least.

If so, I assume that would start to work when the DRL option is activated.

Mike.

Nope ..............................

 

[mwilson]

Must be GM that I have seen that feature in.

Hoopty will tell me when the DRL's go off and the headlights come on with an indicator in the cluster. Also changes from DRL to headlight operation if you turn the wipers on. Smart bugger......

Mike.

 

[cerberusiam]

my Baja experience was not because I was using drl but because I only had the drl on-whoops-at night

Ahh, that would gain you unwanted attention just about anywhere. That is illegal in the US and will rate a chat with the man. After getting the spiel about how that is illegal, my question about WHY it was allowed with the lighting controls was ignored. Total lack of consistency and knowledge on what is OE and what is allowed from place to place.

 

[Bob4x4]

Ahh, that would gain you unwanted attention just about anywhere. That is illegal in the US and will rate a chat with the man. After getting the spiel about how that is illegal, my question about WHY it was allowed with the lighting controls was ignored. Total lack of consistency and knowledge on what is OE and what is allowed from place to place.

The only tell tale is that you have no dash lights-that I noticed right after driving past the policia.
The lack of sleep while prepping for the race is going to bring out a few whoops situations hopefully all as minor as this

 

[Bob4x4]

Must be GM that I have seen that feature in.

Hoopty will tell me when the DRL's go off and the headlights come on with an indicator in the cluster. Also changes from DRL to headlight operation if you turn the wipers on. Smart bugger......

Mike.

Many of our cars can be programmed to have lights come on when wipers are on

 

[Shadrach]

My 03 "Canadian truck" of course has drl but there is no indication from the inside at all. BTW when you put the park brake on they go out. Too many people up here forget to turn their headlight on because some vehicles have dash light come on with their drls. Some vehicles have the park light come on instead of the high beams on low power. I know they can be added thru the aftermarket on older vehicles because it is done all the time when motorhomes are imported. David

 

[mwilson]

I remember now, my '06 GMC parts van has the DRL indicator and I am pretty sure that the '08 GMC parts pick-up has it as well.

I know for certain the van has it, I drove that almost constantly for a month a while back.

Have to look tomorrow regarding the pick-up.

Mike.

 

[AKorn]

I installed a set of the Phillips LED daytime running lights. Pretty happy with them. I know you were looking for something OEM, but these might still be worth considering. Installation is pretty simple, the LED bulbs should last a long time, and they automatically dim (as required by DOT law) when you turn on your headlights.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DX6BKW/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Prairie Dog]

The DRL's are activated by changing the country to Mexico (in my case). DRL's use the high beam lamps at a reduced duty cycle. So yes, they go off when the normal head lights are turned on or when the parking brake is set.

 

[mfurrh55]

I turned my Daylight running lights on and a few others with my bully dog programmer, only takes a few minutes, Monte