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Daytime Running Lights Conversion for US vehicle imported to Canada

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base587

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I imported my US vehicle into Canada and I need to meet the Transport Canada requirement of NOT being able to disable my daytime running lights, i.e. turning light switch to left which changes from "Auto" to "Off".

(Canadian GM vehicles have the identical switch as US in appearance however when you turn the switch to off nothing happens)

Does anyone know if I have to get this rewired or is it simply a reprogramming solution? I called my local (Canadian) Chevy dealership this morning and they're not sure and are researching it.
 
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#3 ·
Must your vehicle meet that standard as the vehicle was not produced that way?

It sounds like the law states all vehicles must have a type of front lighting on at all times.
Disclaimer: All meaning any vehicle that is factory equipped with the daytime running light system..


Does this mean that any vehicles owners who import a vehicle across the border will assume the financial responsibility to update their vehicle to meet the standard?


I had a 49-state vehicle. I moved to California. My vehicle did not meet California emissions standards (based on Ford Motor Company design). I was not required to revise my vehicle to comply with the 50-state guideline.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
It took a bit of detective work but I think I've got it down to wiring. I used the electrical schematic stickied to this forum and found some information on a chevy volt forum. The description fits. Obviously I'll be confirming this with the dealer and have them do it.


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08-18-2014, 11:28 PM
They probably disconnected circuit # 306 which is a light green / brown wire between the control stalk and the BCM. Pin #9 at the control stalk and Pin #11 on connector X1 at the BCM.

If you have a copy of the 2012 Ampera/Volt service manual PDF it's page 6874

Just wanted to confirm it is indeed the green/brown wire which controls the on/off for automatic light control. By severing that wire it will allow you to pass the Canadian Federal requirement which says DRLs must run with light switch in the off position. Be careful though, as all of the wires going to the light stalk (with the exception of the ground wire) have current on them. It's a very easy job though - pull the top off of the steering column, cut the cloth mesh around the wires, and snip the wire.

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#5 ·
I am not sure if its mandatory ?? My brother buys his cars stateside (new) but it is marked used. I don't ever remember him mentioning the DRL conversion, then again, I don't know how US Toyotas are configured. Going to have to ask him.
I'd prefer to kill our stock DRL's and add some LED's in a better position lower down as DRL's
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Yes DRLs are mandatory in Canada; and more specifically you can't be able to turn them off. Newer American Toyota's were a popular import into Canada when the canuck buck was strong. They passed RIV inspection in Canada because you can't turn off the DRLs. My father in law brought one in about 5 years ago.

Anyway, I've found some people do cut that wire but obviously it would involve getting behind the dash. The dealer made some phone calls to GM Canada and they can reprogram it for around $250 w/tax. Seems expensive to me and I'm going to shop around a bit first with other stealerships.
 
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#7 ·
base587 said:
Yes DRLs are mandatory in Canada; and more specifically you can't be able to turn them off. Newer American Toyota's were a popular import into Canada when the canuck buck was strong. They passed RIV inspection in Canada because you can't turn off the DRLs. My father in law brought one in about 5 years ago.

Anyway, I've found some people do cut that wire but obviously it would involve getting behind the dash. The dealer made some phone calls to GM Canada and they can reprogram it for around $250 w/tax. Seems expensive to me and I'm going to shop around a bit first with other stealerships.
Click to expand...
I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering what the final outcome was. Specifically, was it programming or wiring.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Curiosity got the better of me. Found the appropriate connectors on the headlight switch and the bcm. It would appear as though the bcm is receiving a constant ground signal. From where, I have no idea. The switch behaves normally giving a ground signal only when switched off. The only thing I can think of to try would be to cut the green/brown wire at the bcm and run a new wire from the bcm to the headlight switch. I really wish there was something I could do with the park switch in the gear selector because as soon as I take it out of park, poof, the drl's are on. Damn engineers. Can you tell I really don't want to buy an overpriced harness?

Edit. I mispoke earlier. I have continuity between the headlight switch and the bcm, however, when I turn the switch off to send the ground signal to the bcm it didn't get there. So, I'm really confused. I wonder if it's possible they shoved a diode in there somewhere. That might explain the continuity, but no signal.
 
#10 ·
#11 ·
mambrake said:
I wish i could turn the light off completely. I hate my headlights coming on every-time i turn the truck on in the USA... Why dont they use the side blinkers??
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Because side blinkers are not DRL. I do wish it were some other light than the headlights, like the fogs for example, but not that big of a deal in the context of things. Much better to be using the headlights as DRL than to T-Bone a car that doesn't see you.
 
#12 ·
mambrake said:
I wish i could turn the light off completely. I hate my headlights coming on every-time i turn the truck on in the USA... Why dont they use the side blinkers??
Click to expand...
Goodspike said:
Because side blinkers are not DRL. I do wish it were some other light than the headlights, like the fogs for example, but not that big of a deal in the context of things. Much better to be using the headlights as DRL than to T-Bone a car that doesn't see you.
Click to expand...
I think it should be mandatory in the US for headlights to be on all the time (at least marker lights), the amount of stupid people driving in the dark without headlights seems to be rising in the last couple years!
I'm sure it would prevent a lot of accidents and deaths.
 
#13 ·
gregg6668 said:
I think it should be mandatory in the US for headlights to be on all the time (at least marker lights), the amount of stupid people driving in the dark without headlights seems to be rising in the last couple years!
I'm sure it would prevent a lot of accidents and deaths.
Click to expand...
to add, in rain or fog also.
 
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#14 ·
gregg6668 said:
I think it should be mandatory in the US for headlights to be on all the time (at least marker lights), the amount of stupid people driving in the dark without headlights seems to be rising in the last couple years!
I'm sure it would prevent a lot of accidents and deaths.
Click to expand...
new cars do have auto lights, and they all seem to have DRLs. I think your wish is coming true....It's just the old cars don't do it, time will fix this eventually.
 
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#15 ·
mambrake said:
I wish i could turn the light off completely. I hate my headlights coming on every-time i turn the truck on in the USA... Why dont they use the side blinkers??
Click to expand...
Just curious, why do you hate the DRLs?
 
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#16 ·
White016 said:
Just curious, why do you hate the DRLs?
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you know how many bulbs I will have to go through because of this? I hate my headlight to be on during the day. I put LED bulbs.. I want the lights to turn on at night like they should. If someone hits your car during the day because they can’t see you how would the headlights being on change this? Clearly they are blind and shouldn’t be driving
 
#17 ·
mambrake said:
you know how many bulbs I will have to go through because of this? I hate my headlight to be on during the day. I put LED bulbs.. I want the lights to turn on at night like they should. If someone hits your car during the day because they can’t see you how would the headlights being on change this? Clearly they are blind and shouldn’t be driving
Click to expand...
Five year old truck, 100K miles, I have replaced a bulb in the high mount stop lamp on the cab and I think I replaced a tail lamp. OK, I had a few lamps on the passenger front replaced, but they replaced the entire lamp housing as well. The deer did a pretty good number on a portion of the front end.

The headlights do help with seeing a vehicle in some situations. They are not because of any driving deficienies on your part, the DRLs are to protect you from the fools who are so blind they shouldn't be driving.
 
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#18 ·
CaryBosse said:
Five year old truck, 100K miles, I have replaced a bulb in the high mount stop lamp on the cab and I think I replaced a tail lamp. OK, I had a few lamps on the passenger front replaced, but they replaced the entire lamp housing as well. The deer did a pretty good number on a portion of the front end.

The headlights do help with seeing a vehicle in some situations. They are not because of any driving deficienies on your part, the DRLs are to protect you from the fools who are so blind they shouldn't be driving.
Click to expand...
I might add, I had a 2009 Wrangler I purchased in late 2008. I drove it till I got my truck in early 2015. I usually turned the head lights on everytime I drove it, for safety reasons. I replaced each of the headlights after my wife took it as her daily driver. It seemed like everytime I got in it to drive at night, I realized one of the headlights had burned out and she hadn't noticed it. In any event, it was a full 7 years at least and 120K miles before a headlight burned out. Seemed like a worthwhile investment to run my headlights all of the time.
 
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#19 ·
gregg6668 said:
I think it should be mandatory in the US for headlights to be on all the time (at least marker lights), the amount of stupid people driving in the dark without headlights seems to be rising in the last couple years!
Click to expand...
Around here I don't know that it's going up, but it is primarily the people with cars that are difficult to see in the first place. Colors that blend in with the road.

When it's rainy or twilight and 95% of the cars have their lights on, virtually all the cars that don't are unsafe colors to begin with. It's like the owners don't give a crap about their own safety, both as to color they pick and whether to have their lights on.
 
#20 ·
RatRacer said:
to add, in rain or fog also.
Click to expand...
I do wonder sometimes about the rain portion. The computer logic to turn on the full lights in rain, inclusing tail lights, is not real clear. It is supposed to turn on when windshield wipers are in use, but on INTERMITTENT settings, this sometimes seems to not happen. On the highway at highway speeds, I find my windshield sheds water nicely unless it is a hard downpoor. I often drive with no wipers or with intermittent settings. I will reach down and hit the foglight button to turn on the lights in those times just so I know I have lights on, both front & back.
 
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