DRL lights

[Volvo Nabz]

Hey guys I have a 59 plate V50 was wondering do volvo fit these new drls into older cars?

[SonyVaio]

Yes it is possible.

You can either have current fog lights converted to DRL's or if you don't have fogs at all you can have either Fogs (see and be seen pack) or DRL's.

:star-wars-smiley-01

[Volvo Nabz]

Is it only dealers that can sort the drls out as will they have to programme the car to only turn the running lights on and not the rear lights too?

[JBONE]

Interested to know what the cost would be, i presume it would be a new light switch panel, software update and obviously the DRL lights themselves.

[torroa]

It is an upgrade option for the P1 cars, but after a bit of an investigation it seems as if the necessary software is only available for the 2011-2012 cars. Check with your dealer before you spend money on parts as the LED lights are quite expensive.

DRL LED for Volvo V50

One option could be to use a DRL relay and disable automatic headlights with software 30679690. I haven't not done that yet, and have to switch the lightswitch to parking lights and turn on the fog light

[JBONE]

Let us know how you get on :thumbs_up:

[Missing Lincs]

Forgive the intrusion; does anyone know if the Volvo DRLs physically fit earlier model years (2009)? I can see that the software doesn't work on models prior to 2011 but if the lights fit there will be a way around the software.

Also, looking at the instruction manual Volvo supply with the DRL kit, there is a change to the lighting control switch panel. Why is this required?

[torroa]

Forgive the intrusion; does anyone know if the Volvo DRLs physically fit earlier model years (2009)? I can see that the software doesn't work on models prior to 2011 but if the lights fit there will be a way around the software.

Also, looking at the instruction manual Volvo supply with the DRL kit, there is a change to the lighting control switch panel. Why is this required?

Yes, the DRL lights fits any 2008--> models. The connectors are identical, the LEDs does not give any fault codes and the existing surrounds can also be used.

The easiest way to get the DRLs to work is to get the dealer install software 30679690 and to get a DRL relay/automatic switch you can get on eBay at around £10.

The OEM light switch for the DRLs has an extra position that makes it possible to enable DRLs when the light condition permits it. It is similar to the function the radio has when the display goes dim at nightfall.

[JBONE]

Torroa. When you've done it post a how to guide with links :thumbs_up:

[torroa]

Torroa. When you've done it post a how to guide with links :thumbs_up:

I got lots of small projects going on this spring; parking sensors, tow bar, front door tweeters with new quarter panels, remote controlled parking heater, new wing mirrors that require re-wiring and a few other "tweaks". I will see what I can manage :)

To get you started, you will need Volvo part no# 31353107 and no# 31353108

A budget solution is to use the DRLs from Skoda Fabia You will have to remove the internals from your existing fog lights and replace it with the internals from the Skoda lamps.

[SonyVaio]

As posted above you'll need the light switch block and get the dealer to load the software. Even though it says officially for 2011 onwards (as that is when the DRL's became an option) it will go on to 2008 onwards vehicles (facelift). Unknown about pre-facelift 2004 - 2007.

:star-wars-smiley-01

[JBONE]

If anyones interested, this is the kit you need if you have Bi-Xenon/ABL lights

Hello

for the lamp 31330685 you are looking at £272.44 Inc. VAT, I would have to order this in which would take 2 days. This includes delivery to the UK

Thanks

Gavin

That part number consists of

light switch
2 x lamps
2 x cover's
washers, screws

Then you would need the correct software loaded with Volvo.

[torroa]

Went to the dealer today, but they were unable to upload 31330690, Low beam 4 application. I therefore had to upload 30679690, Low beam 2 application. I installed an automatic DRL relay/switch, that is connected to the battery, DRLs and the parking light. When the light switch is in position 0 and the car is running then only the LEDs are on. In position 1 and 2, the LEDs does not turn completely off but stay on dim with about 40% light output.

This should be doable with any LED DRL, oem or aftermarket, and it should be legal according to European regulations

Took a snap with my phone of my facelift 2006 V50....sorry about the picture quality. Only the DRL LEDs are active

[tullyman]

DLR at the back

"Is it only dealers that can sort the drls out as will they have to programme the car to only turn the running lights on and not the rear lights too?"

If you're activating DRLs as fitted to my 2010 C70, i.e.. dipped headlights always on then you want the back lights on as well or you (or wife) could be driving round in the dark complaining the main beam won't come on but more seriously with the rear of the car in darkness

[torroa]

"Is it only dealers that can sort the drls out as will they have to programme the car to only turn the running lights on and not the rear lights too?"

If you're activating DRLs as fitted to my 2010 C70, i.e.. dipped headlights always on then you want the back lights on as well or you (or wife) could be driving round in the dark complaining the main beam won't come on but more seriously with the rear of the car in darkness

You got a point there. Same goes when it is raining. Every new cars sold in Europe from 2011 were obligated to have low energy DRL. I know Ford Focus did not get automatic DRL - Low beam until the 2015 models, and I am sure nearly no new cars sold today turns the DRL to Low beam if it is raining.

The main reason why most would want to turn of automatic Low beam is because they have installed a HiD kit. And peoples were driving cars up to the 21-century without the automatically Low beam, I do not believe there were more accidents because of lack of lights back in the 90ies.

A good thumb-rule would be to remember to switch the light switch to position 2 when the radio-display turns dark, if it is raining or if you are driving inside a tunnel. Should not be too hard to learn ;-)

According to recent research on DRL, road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists can detect vehicles equipped with DRL more clearly and sooner than those equipped with dipped beam head lights. On vehicles equipped with DRL, the light is automatically switched on when the engine is started. When it is dark the driver has to switch on the driving lights manually. In this case the DRL goes off automatically.

Edit: Here is a diagram if you would rather use a simple relay instead of a cheap switch from FleaBay with questionable quality..