DRL disconnect for Legacy Outback 2000-2004?

[0utbackmel]

Concerning Day Time Running Light disable.
Anyone know how or where I can find a good write up on how to do this? Everythign im finding is either for the Impreza or newer Legacy. Also, pics would help! thanks in advance.

[shazapple]

Although I think disabling the DRL is dumb, chances are its behind the glove box. Switch your lights on and off and listen for a click

[HFSDevil]

Well I know in my 2002 Legacy L automatic. You can temporarily disable them by pulling your e-brake up 1 click. Your brakes will not engage, but your DRLs will turn off.

The Ls and the GTs are completely different since the Ls have only 1 bulb and the GTs have 2 bulbs.

This link will show you how to disable the DRLs the real way, not the ghetto way that I found. :P

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=631

[iamrazor]

the outback headlights are equal to the legacy GT ones (dual bulb).
there is a plug you simply need to disconnect and its all taken care of.
Its just about your left foot under the dash

why is disabling them stupid? safety? well, when police start using them, i'll call it a safety issue. Furthermore, if you cant see a car in the daytime without its lights on, then maybe you shouldn't be driving....

[shazapple]

Safety for ME. Some people are too dumb to turn on their lights when they need them. It makes you much more visible. I hate driving through the fog/evening sun only to have a vehicle pop up in front of me.

Why disable them? Disabling a safety system just for looks is 100% rice. Its not like you can even see them on because your in the car! They dont burn out the headlights any faster because Ive had my low beams on since I own the car and havent replaced a bulb. They arnt a drain on any system either (ive actually had people think that it wastes gas to have them on, LOL dumbasses)

[Wiscon_Mark]

no kidding, your alternator is always making way more power than is needed to run most of the primary systems (and a grounding kit can make this even better!) besides things like A/C and huge Amps. You will not worsen mileage, and if you want your lights off....just turn them off!

Note: Maybe the newere DRL systems are different, but if I leave my lights in the on position, they are only on when the car is on, if I want to turn them off, they will go off no matter what the key position.

[shazapple]

I think thats just subarus. That little switch on top of the steering column makes the lights stay on or off when the key is out. Dont know why most vehicles dont have that :?

DRL are my pet peeve :lol: Iits like putting those stupid headlight covers on your car (some vehicles they look good on, but are still rice).

[Wiscon_Mark]

Safety for ME. Some people are too dumb to turn on their lights when they need them.

The assinine thought pattern that says," I can see, I don't need headlights on" is stupid. People need to think about the other drivers on the road too...

[iamrazor]

I surely use my lights when appropriate. I just don't like DRLs, hence my disabling of them. If its such a safety issue, police should have them. personally, I think it a crutch. people need to pay attention when driving. plain and simple. nowadays, people are too busy talking on the phone/reading/applying make up to watch whats going on around them. In daylight conditions, have you ever not noticed a car because they had no DRLs?

[shazapple]

its not that I dont notice them, its that I cant see them. It was foggy this morning and I counted several cars that didnt have their lights on (they didnt need them to see, but to be seen) Same deal when its dusk and everythign is orange/black. Its hard to see certain cars when the sun is in front of you.

[Wiscon_Mark]

yes, in daylight conditions, it can be a little hard to see oncoming cars when the sun is in your eyes.

DRLs are not a crutch. Automatic transmissions...well....lets not go off topic ;) :lol:

[iamrazor]

FWIW, to disable them you only need to unplug one connector and its under the dash. you should find the exact write-up by googling DRL + legacy or something like that.

[Legacy4Life]

Interesting thread to read...

I disabled mine on my 97 Legacy GT for looks. :shock: But in Canada, all newer vehicles must be sold with some sort of DRL for safety concerns and I agree that they are of good use.

I simply prefer the look of the fog lights with parking signals (Like the Audi's) vs the DLR low beams that came with my car. I'm not trying to be unsafe, just finding a different way of doing it. I leave the fogs on all the time instead. You can follow my link below to Car Domain and see what I mean if my explanation is unclear.

At first I was doing what HFSDevil was saying by pulling the parking brake a notch. But when it came time to safety the car in the fall I found out my pads for the parking brake were worn. On my model Subaru (and perhaps it's the same for all of them) there are separate pads for the parking brake and they are pretty dear $$ to replace. :cry:

So then what I did was I found on the schematics for my car that when the DRL comes on the voltage for the headlights passes through a dropping resistor to make them a little bit dimmer then regular low beams. All I did was disconnect one end of the resistor and Voila, no more path for the DRL voltage.

Perhaps the 2000 to 2004 are similar; I've never looked at the schematics for them.

That's my two cents worth!

Michael

[warrior]

Interesting thread to read...

I disabled mine on my 97 Legacy GT for looks. :shock: But in Canada, all newer vehicles must be sold with some sort of DRL for safety concerns and I agree that they are of good use.

I simply prefer the look of the fog lights with parking signals (Like the Audi's) vs the DLR low beams that came with my car. I'm not trying to be unsafe, just finding a different way of doing it. I leave the fogs on all the time instead. You can follow my link below to Car Domain and see what I mean if my explanation is unclear.

At first I was doing what HFSDevil was saying by pulling the parking brake a notch. But when it came time to safety the car in the fall I found out my pads for the parking brake were worn. On my model Subaru (and perhaps it's the same for all of them) there are separate pads for the parking brake and they are pretty dear $$ to replace. :cry:

So then what I did was I found on the schematics for my car that when the DRL comes on the voltage for the headlights passes through a dropping resistor to make them a little bit dimmer then regular low beams. All I did was disconnect one end of the resistor and Voila, no more path for the DRL voltage.

Perhaps the 2000 to 2004 are similar; I've never looked at the schematics for them.

That's my two cents worth!

Michael

Hey Michael,

I PM'd you regarding the DRL disable.. I have a 1999 Legacy GT and can't figure it out. I just picked up the Haynes manual but havne't quite looked at it yet.. any tips?

[2.5GT]

one question, does my '98 LGT have DRLs? im not sure if it has it or not :?

[warrior]

one question, does my '98 LGT have DRLs? im not sure if it has it or not :?

If you release your parking brake and the headlights illuminate automatically; you do. However, they don't output the same amount of light as your headlights would in the 'on' position because there is a resistor that decreases the voltage (I believe) going to the bulbs in your headlight. When you turn on your headlights via the signal arm switch on the left side of your steering wheel, you'll see them illuminate to full capacity :D

[badbasser98]

I do not know of any BD (USDM) that has Daytime Running Lights... Although I guess there could be. Always thought that was a MY00+

[phi11]

Canada has them.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I heard on Nasioc that 98+ has them.

[2.5GT]

hm..i checked mine and didnt have it.

[badbasser98]

Canada has them.

I do not know of any BD (USDM) that has Daytime Running Lights...
:wink:

[tekkitan]

why is disabling them stupid? safety? well, when police start using them, i'll call it a safety issue. Furthermore, if you cant see a car in the daytime without its lights on, then maybe you shouldn't be driving....

it's people like you who dont turn on your lights when it is pouring rain so hard that you cant see 10ft in front of you.

[Wiscon_Mark]

No, I don't think so man. I think he turns them on when appropriate. In a perfect world, DRLs wouldn't be needed, because we'd all be conscious drivers. Most of the people on this board pay a lot more attention to their driving, same as they do to their car, because they like driving, it's not just means to and end (point A to B, blah blah blah).

However, I still don't think turning them off serves any purpose unless you're doing an HID conversion (where DRL half-power ruins the ballast).

I have reservations about HID lighting in non-projector housings as well :?

[bgwagon]

warrior did you get it yet, there is a plug in the hood near the pass side strut tower you just have to disconnect it, if you want we can link up and i can show you if you haven't got it yet

[Bianrox]

I'll be doing this later afternoon on my Outback sedan (disabling DRL's) so I'll know if unplugging the one white wire works or not for sure.

My reason? I just think it's a waste of energy. Yes, I know the alternator creates WAY more power than you need, but I'm also running a 12" sub and amp and I don't want power going to things that aren't necessary. They waste power (even if small) and burn out the lights (even if only a little bit faster).

I turn off the lights when I leave the room, why can't I turn off my headlights on a sunny 80degree day? Same concept. Also, I do know for a fact that the DRL's draw enough power to prevent a cold start. I stored my Subaru for four months and was unable to start it up again when I got back to it BUT (important) when I pulled my e-brake (which turns off the DRL's) the car started. So, small power yes but don't think its completely negligible.

[Grimmrican]

I did this a few weeks back with my BE L. Best thing I ever did. For the same exact reason u said. It's super easy takes maybe 2 minutes to complete.