Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Two of the features that that I miss most on my 06 CDT are the lack of Daylight Running (DRL) lights and Automatic headlight control. This post addresses the former. I am in the process of designing an Automatic headlight controller as a follow on project.
The first step was to pay a visit to my dealer to find out why DLR has not been implemented in vehicles shipped to the US while it is implemented in vehicles shipped to Canada. Surprisingly enough my dealer told me that the DLR in my truck could be activated by a simple ECM program change. Cost estimate $100. Not a very attractive price for a simple program change that in my opinion should have been implemented by the factory in the first place.
As part of my research to see what was involved in designing a direct DLR activation circuit I came across a item in Geno's catalog advertising a set of adapter cables that allow the installation of 2005 (65Watt) fog lamps in place of the stock 2006 (55 watt) bulbs. The cables are 20 bucks and certainly worth the cost unless you are a diehard DIY fanatic like myself. The two lamps utilize different keyways thus are not directly interchangeable. The 2006 lamps also have a sightly smaller O ring seal. When I examined the lamps and the cable connector I decided that it would be a simple mod to increase the width of the connector keyway which would allow either bulb to be inserted. Thirty seconds with a mini grinder on each connector and the 2005 bulbs plugged right in. I keep the 2006 bulbs as spares. As for the O rings I simply replaced the rings that came with the 2005 bulbs with slightly larger ones. All in all a 15 minute job. Is there a difference in brightness? YOU BET.
Next, the DLR hookup which was my primary goal. This proved to be almost as simple as upgrading the fog light bulbs. I chose to activate DLR via the fog lamps, which is what the factory DLR use.
Activating DLR using the fog lamps involved the installation of a heavy duty 12VDC relay ($5 at the local parts store). The relay provides direct 12 power to the fog lamps via a 15amp fuse ($3). The relay is activate by tapping into an accessory circuit with an "add a fuse" tap ($9). Total cost $20 which includes all the components above plus a few odds and ends.
Using this circuit, the fog lamps remain on any time the engine is running. In addition to the safety aspect which was my primary goal, the lights stay on with both the headlight low and high beams. On secondary country roads visibility during night time driving is significantly improved.
Jerry K
Falcon, CO
The first step was to pay a visit to my dealer to find out why DLR has not been implemented in vehicles shipped to the US while it is implemented in vehicles shipped to Canada. Surprisingly enough my dealer told me that the DLR in my truck could be activated by a simple ECM program change. Cost estimate $100. Not a very attractive price for a simple program change that in my opinion should have been implemented by the factory in the first place.
As part of my research to see what was involved in designing a direct DLR activation circuit I came across a item in Geno's catalog advertising a set of adapter cables that allow the installation of 2005 (65Watt) fog lamps in place of the stock 2006 (55 watt) bulbs. The cables are 20 bucks and certainly worth the cost unless you are a diehard DIY fanatic like myself. The two lamps utilize different keyways thus are not directly interchangeable. The 2006 lamps also have a sightly smaller O ring seal. When I examined the lamps and the cable connector I decided that it would be a simple mod to increase the width of the connector keyway which would allow either bulb to be inserted. Thirty seconds with a mini grinder on each connector and the 2005 bulbs plugged right in. I keep the 2006 bulbs as spares. As for the O rings I simply replaced the rings that came with the 2005 bulbs with slightly larger ones. All in all a 15 minute job. Is there a difference in brightness? YOU BET.
Next, the DLR hookup which was my primary goal. This proved to be almost as simple as upgrading the fog light bulbs. I chose to activate DLR via the fog lamps, which is what the factory DLR use.
Activating DLR using the fog lamps involved the installation of a heavy duty 12VDC relay ($5 at the local parts store). The relay provides direct 12 power to the fog lamps via a 15amp fuse ($3). The relay is activate by tapping into an accessory circuit with an "add a fuse" tap ($9). Total cost $20 which includes all the components above plus a few odds and ends.
Using this circuit, the fog lamps remain on any time the engine is running. In addition to the safety aspect which was my primary goal, the lights stay on with both the headlight low and high beams. On secondary country roads visibility during night time driving is significantly improved.
Jerry K
Falcon, CO
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