Advice for disabling my DRL's

[ALVW3]

Hi,
Sorry if this has been asked before ... I've got a 1990 VW Jetta Turbo Diesel, and I'd like to be able to disable the DRL's (I actually don't mind driving with them on, I just want the option, especially now since I'm having some charging issues and don't have time to diagnose the problem).
So my car is "Canadian", and I think that 1990 was the first year they made DRL's mandatory here. The headlight switch has a "TFL" connector, but the receptacle has no wire going to it so it is not in use (tried covering it anyway with no effect).
I actually found the wiring diagram in Bentley's for Daytime driving lights (Canada only) 1990 Jetta (Jan 1990 on) - mine was made in July. Unfortunately I'm not good at figuring out anything more than basic electrical issues.
Would anyone here have gone through this already and have a quick answer?
Thanks - Rob C

[burn_your_money]

On the firewall near the glowplug fuse there is a yellow wire with a connector. Disconnect that and your headlights will not come on with the DRLs.

[the caveman]

Damn Tyler, you beat me to the answer.

[ALVW3]

Thanks for the advice guys. Maybe I'm blind, but I'm not seeing the yellow wire.



It looks like from the various wiring diagrams that the Canadian MK2 DRL wiring setup had 3 incarnations: up to Jan 1990, Jan 1990 to Aug 1990, then 1991-1992. Mine falls into the second category.

[burn_your_money]

Wow your car looks clean. Just have a look all along the rain tray and you should see it. It's the only single yellow wire up there.

[the caveman]

It' s possible it's all wrapped up above the fuse box. it should be pretty obvious, it like 5 ft of wire.

[hippiekiller]

What about on an mk3 jetta, is there a similiar method? (I'm pretty sure there is no yellow wire....)

[Vincent Waldon]

The professional engineer in me is duty-bound to remind the Canadians in the group that DRLs are required by law on Canada in all vehicles so equipped by the factory... which makes disabling them on cars so equipped unlawful.

* * *end of public service announcement * * *

...as you were, boys  

[macka]

The professional engineer in me is duty-bound to remind the Canadians in the group that DRLs are required by law on Canada in all vehicles so equipped by the factory... which makes disabling them on cars so equipped unlawful.

* * *end of public service announcement * * *

...as you were, boys  

Just so you know the mounties love writing tickets, and will pull you over if they suspect they might be giving you a 2500 dollar dummie award.

[hippiekiller]

It would be nice if there was a simple fix, the kind of thing one could redo on the spot and say.."oh its just the fuse...."when the coppers start askin questions...it just kinda burns me to run my kinda pricey 80/100W relay'd bulbs all the time...it definitely seems to burn them out quicker when they're gettin 13 volts ..

[Vincent Waldon]

Some day I'm gonna have the time to design a relayed headlight system with DRLs... my idea is to run the low beams in series for DRL, parallel like normal at night.  Bulbs should last forever. 

[Op-Ivy]

Easiest way to disable daytime running lights: Bend the "TFL" pin in your headlight switch down so it doesn't make contact. Works on mk2's, 3's and 4's!

Bend it and don't cut it in case you ever want to go back to DRL's.

[binoo]

REVIVE!!!

I just got my 1991 VW Jetta TD.  I was sitting in park (engine off), and key turned once.  problem is that all the lights come on, is there no acc mode on this car? or is that the crappy DRL lights ??

I don't care about the daytime running lights being on when I'm driving, but i'd like to be able to only keep my radio on when I'm parked with the engine shut off.

please help!  thanks!!!

[ORCoaster]

And what is wrong with wiring something off the fuse box that is 12 volt on and just turning it on when you want it on?  Rather than tied to a key position?  Least draw on the battery I can think of.

[vanbcguy]

With the 4 different VW's I've had you could simply turn the key on and then off to have the radio on.  The radio stays powered till you physically remove the key. I was pretty sure the Mk2 used the same setup?

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