Daytime Running Lights

rickm · **Posted:** Sat Dec 08, 2007 6:45 pm

After reading through the threads from the Jeep Engineers on jeepforums, I saw that the engineers said that the 08 Liberty could be programmed to turn on the headlights anytime the wipers were turned on.

I asked the local Jeep dealer about doing it for me and the first thing he said was "that's easy for them to say on the internet and not back it up". He said he would check into it and call me back. I never received the call. Obviously they don't want my business.

So I emailed the dealer where I bought my KK. He said he checked into it and did not find any way to turn on headlights with wipers, but said he could turn on daytime running lights.

I assume he's talking about the fog lights? or is this headlights at a lower brightness? What are daytime running lights, and has anyone done this to their KK yet?

_UnLiMiTeD_ · **Posted:** Sat Dec 08, 2007 8:54 pm

daytime running lights are your headlights but not as bright. They are mandatory on vehicles in bc canada.

My 93 beretta had them but anyone i talked to that had them in the us doesnt

Same goes for my kj, it has day time running lights but most in the us dont

rickm · **Posted:** Sun Dec 09, 2007 1:08 am

ok, that's good to know. Apparently they can program them to be on anytime the engine is running. I may go have them turn that feature on for me.

KJ4ME · **Posted:** Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:11 am

they can also program them to turn on when the parking brake is released.

rickm · **Posted:** Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:24 am

KJ4ME wrote:

they can also program them to turn on when the parking brake is released.

huh? turn what on? the running lights or the headlamps? I don't think I'd wanted anything to turn on when the parking brake is released. Heck, I rarely use it.

MiamiMudr · **Posted:** Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:09 pm

i had drl on my pontiac sunfire it was the most annoying thing in the world most gm cars have drl but dont get them turned on atleast thats my personal recomendation i hated them and i actually ended up cuting the wire for the drl's and grounding it to the frame of my car to turn them off. As for the parking break what happens is if your e-brake is engaged then the drl's will turn off.

Hope i could help...

rickm · **Posted:** Tue Dec 11, 2007 2:18 am

what's the problem with daytime running lights? I think the object of them is to make other cars more aware of you. I don't see anything wrong with that. What don't you like about them?

MiniDevil · **Posted:** Tue Dec 11, 2007 4:00 am

I personally hate DRLs and any other features that have the car make decisions for me. I like being able to operate my own lights, pump my brakes to stop without ABS kicking in, floor it and do burnouts without traction control stopping me, etc.

You could set up fog lights to be always on when you put the key in the ignition and start it up, too. You'd still be able to disable them at the press of a button from the cockpit too.

I guess it's a personal thing. I don't like a computer telling me what I can and cannot do, or thinking for me.

MiamiMudr · **Posted:** Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:53 pm

Quote:

what's the problem with daytime running lights? I think the object of them is to make other cars more aware of you. I don't see anything wrong with that. What don't you like about them?

they look cheap next time your driving down the road take a look at a chevy pickup or tahoe when there drl's are on it looks like this little dim light like the battery is about to die. but like i said before thats my own opinion some people like them.

rickm · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:29 am

well, I went by the dealer today and he spent about an hour and a half trying to figure out how to turn on daytime running lights, but couldn't get them turned on.

He also said that in Canada the same vehicle would have daytime lights, so he doesn't understand why he can't turn them on.

He's supposed to be contacting the factory tomorrow to see how to turn them on.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:33 pm

From the Nitro Forum:

Sorry everyone it seems the "enable DRLs" has been removed as one of the features found in the Starscan. As it stands right now it no longer is a function that can be turned on using the Starscan (Chrysler's computer scanner). Maybe they'll put it back into programming in the future or release a software update that can enable the daytime running lights.

MiamiMudr · **Posted:** Thu Dec 13, 2007 12:48 am

i can guarantee you that if you take apart the underpanel of your driver side steering column and find the little computer thats there next to the firewall your going to see 1 wire in perticular that comes straight out from the computer to a ground. i can almost be certain this is how they turned of the drl's because for them to waist even 1 extra penny would send there business to the ground.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Thu Dec 13, 2007 1:11 am

MiamiMudr wrote:

i can guarantee you that if you take apart the underpanel of your driver side steering column and find the little computer thats there next to the firewall your going to see 1 wire in perticular that comes straight out from the computer to a ground. i can almost be certain this is how they turned of the drl's because for them to waist even 1 extra penny would send there business to the ground.

No, they spent a few peos on the system

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Thu Dec 13, 2007 1:12 am

Operation of the Nitro DRL's (Daytime Running Lights) is a function that occurs via the CAN bus. There is not external module for DRL's and is a function that is performed within the TIPM (Totatlly Integrated Power Module.)

Vehicles equipped with the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) feature illuminate the high beam filament of both headlamp bulbs at a reduced intensity when the engine is running, the parking brake is released, the headlamps are turned OFF, and the optional automatic transmission gear selector lever is in any position except PARK. The park lamps may be ON or OFF for DRL to operate. For vehicles with a manual transmission, the DRL will operate in any transmission gear selector lever position. The TIPM must be programmed appropriately for this feature to be enabled.

Once enabled, anytime the TIPM receives electronic messages over the CAN data bus from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) indicating the engine is running, from the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) (also known as the Cab Compartment Node/CCN) indicating the status of the left (lighting) multi-function switch is in any position except headlamps ON and the parking brake lever is released, and from the Transmission Control Module (TCM) indicating the automatic transmission gear selector lever is in any position except PARK, the TIPM provides a pulse width modulated voltage output to the headlamp high beam bulb filaments through high side drivers on the right and left high beam feed circuits to produce illumination at a reduced intensity.

duckhunter71 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 13, 2007 12:09 pm

I like my DRLs. Even though my truck's pretty huge, it still helps out. Even if its dim enough outside that my headlights don't come on, I'm still visible. I honestly don't see how this makes my truck look cheap!?

If I end up with a KK I'm definately going to want them turned on..

rickm · **Posted:** Thu Dec 13, 2007 3:25 pm

This is not my grandfathers car....

Do you think they've made vehicles just a bit too complicated these days?

Totally Integrated Power Modules, CAN Buss, EMIC, TCM, Cab Compartment Node/CCN, blah blah blah.

These guys at the dealerships are struggling, I can tell. They don't know anything about their own home computers, much less a computer that controls an automobile. They are at the mercy of what Chrysler/Jeep tells them. According to the tech that I talked to at the local dealer the other day, they don't have any books on this stuff, and what they get from Chrysler/Jeep is based on prototype vehiles, and may or may not be in the production vehicles.

_UnLiMiTeD_ · **Posted:** Thu Dec 13, 2007 5:03 pm

i dont see a daytime runnin light as anything that controlling something for you. they dont go brighter if it gets dark out, once it gets dark out you have to turn the headlight on yourself. More usefull for daylight if you go through a dark tunnel, then you still have some light infront of you.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:54 pm

yeah, the poor dealerships are now only getting service manuals for the kk. I have been looking in to getting a manual but i was told the distribution to dealerships started the fist and it would be a couple of weeks before the public gets a chance

rickm · **Posted:** Sat Dec 15, 2007 10:03 am

The service manager at my dealer called me back yesterday.

He said that they had originally thought it was in the computer under "new vehicle prep" to turn on running lights, but after looking at mine, the feature wasn't there.

They called the Jeep tech support folks, who told them that the feature had been removed in the 08 Liberty. They did tell them that a lot of insurance companies are offering
discounts if you have daytime running lights, so they've gotten a lot of requests for it to be turned on. He says he thinks they will allow them to be turned on with a flash upgrade to the computer.

Anyway, he says he's got it on his list of things to watch out for and he'll give me a call when something changes.

He seemed like a nice enough guy anyway. At least he had the courtesy to call back.

KK · **Posted:** Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:42 pm

Rickm I know for sure that is true on the canadian models but I don't think it to was meant for the US market. I just keep my fogs on or parking lights on, I don't like daytime running lights because sometimes I don't want them on at night like sitting still or maybe trail running to check something. I prefer it be left up to the person.

Daytime Running Lights

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