DEI 545t auto headlight system

[Elton Noway]

so gents, which set of lights did you use for the daytime running lights? hopefully, i'll bring it in for work either this week or next. thanks!lou

Hi Lou... Well... per the guidelines established by the Dept of Highway Safety and the Department of Transportation… “Factory Installed Daytime Running Lights” are distinguished as follows:

DRL are typically high-beam headlamps at reduced intensity or low-beam headlamps at full or reduced power. Optionally, tail lamps and/or turn signals also may be lit.

Now... since our DRL are not factory installed, we wouldn't fall under the guidelines and you could make any of the lights DRL. However, referring to the established guideline I'd say your low beams would be the first choice. That said... be aware if you install the DRL option on your low beams then they will come on every time you turn on your ignition. As a result ... you won’t be using the photocell to automatically control your lights dusk to dawn, nor will you have your headlights come on when you turn your wipers on because they will always be on. (i.e., on with ignition on).

This is why I was considering using the Fog Lights as my DRL... so the photocell (automatic lights and lights on with wipers) would still control my lo beams. Then again I'm not sure if this configuration is possible since the kit only has two relays. (why I was thinking I'd need two kits)

[lou from ny]

Elton,thanks for your reply. I've been learning quite a bit thanks to you and Phillipa and the whole gang. you guys rock!

i wanted to install this kit for 2 reasons. here in NY, it's a law that lights must be used when your wipers are on, but i can also get an insurance discount from geico if the car has daytime running lamps, so it's certainly worth it from a financial perspective. of course it also stands to reason that the lights being on might make the car more visible and help to avoid a crash, so who knows, but it can't hurt to install the kit.

I've decided to simply keep the lights on at all times and not use the photocell, not tie into the wiper circuit, and not use the toggle switch. keep it simple right...

since i do have the xenon lights, and they create a bit of heat and aren't cheap to replace, I'll call geico and see if the high fog lights would qualify of if i'd need the lower ones for the discount.

more to follow i guess...

thanks again! lou

well, i didn't want to wait. i called and was told that if i submitted a receipt from an installer, that would be all that would be required to get the discount. i could tie into whichever light i wanted to, but generally they suggest i use the low beams. i still think i'll use the highest lights on the front for my always on lights unless someone gives me a reason not to...
Modified by lou from ny at 5:17 PM 7/27/2009

[Elton Noway]

...[snip]

I've decided to simply keep the lights on at all times and not use the photocell, not tie into the wiper circuit, and not use the toggle switch. keep it simple right...

Makes sense to me! Also removes much of the complexity of installing the kit.

since i do have the xenon lights, and they create a bit of heat and aren't cheap to replace, I'll call geico and see if the high fog lights would qualify of if i'd need the lower ones for the discount.

i called and was told that if i submitted a receipt from an installer, that would be all that would be required to get the discount. i could tie into whichever light i wanted to, but generally they suggest i use the low beams. i still think i'll use the highest lights on the front for my always on lights unless someone gives me a reason not to...

Well... the idea of using high beam Xenons as DRL's causes me some pause. IMHO, (if not using the fog lights)… my next choice would be to use the low beams.

Why? Because running your Xenons on high beam, even during the day, might be a lot of glare for oncoming drivers. But even more so… for US cars (maybe even Canadian), DRLs are connected to the high beam lights… but... Systems (like those on General Motors cars) that use high beams "are designed" to operate at half their normal power during daylight hours

Since the DEI 545t will not automatically reduce power to your High Beams during the daytime, your lights would be operating at Full Power al the time... which will shorten the life span of the bulb as well as causing glare.

Per Transportation Safety Inc: Question: Will motorists be bothered by glare from my DRL’s? Answer: In most countries mandating DRLs, glare has not been an issue. However, some motorists in the United States have complained that the systems here are too bright. In response to these complaints, NHTSA has proposed reducing the maximum allowable light intensity from 7,000 to 1,500 candela, a value more in line with European DRLs.

So considering the above statement , I’m even more convinced that low beam DRL’s would be the way to go. (Then again... I plan on using my fog lights for DRL's so I'm probably not the best one to offer suggestions. )

In regards to using the fog lights (since Geico says you can)… if your want to make sure you are seen.... (and maybe concerned the fog lights might not be bright or visible enough)... you could always upgrade them to 3000K HID's. The fog lights are positioned low enough on the vehicle where you wouldn't have to worry about glare to oncoming drivers but certainly bright enough that you'd be pretty hard to miss.
Modified by Elton Noway at 8:57 PM 7/27/2009

[lou from ny]

elton,i know i'm not explaining myself very well. on the front of the car, way up top are a set of lights. they are orange and can be turned on and off. these are the ones i'm considering using.

under those lights are the bulk of the lights including the xenon lights. these are the ones i don't want to use.

under the whole shebang are what i'm calling fog lights. they live in the lower front scoop way down near the ground. these are my last resort.

i'm thinking the top ones are most visible and would work the best.

i'll play around with the switches inside the car after work and see what's what a little better, but i'm thinking the ones i want to use would really be the turn signal indicators, but it could work for what i'd need them to.lou

[Pescakl1]

i wanted to install this kit for 2 reasons. here in NY, it's a law that lights must be used when your wipers are on, but i can also get an insurance discount from geico if the car has daytime running lamps, so it's certainly worth it from a financial perspective. of course it also stands to reason that the lights being on might make the car more visible and help to avoid a crash, so who knows, but it can't hurt to install the kit.

I've decided to simply keep the lights on at all times and not use the photocell, not tie into the wiper circuit, and not use the toggle switch. keep it simple right...

since i do have the xenon lights, and they create a bit of heat and aren't cheap to replace, I'll call geico and see if the high fog lights would qualify of if i'd need the lower ones for the discount.

I have a silly suggestion: Did you try put a fuse in the DRL circuit breaker?I am just wondering if the wiring is already in place but not put in use by not installing a fuse (manufacturing several wirings is expensive so manufacturers prefer to install all the wiring and disable some depending on your chosen option. For example, I have the fog wiring on my car but no fog lights).From what I remember, it is on the left side, below the steering wheel, close to the hood release.

If that works, you just have to install your system for the wipers, and you will get both discount from your insurance.

[philipa_240sx]

Pescakl,

According to the FSM, wiring is actually different and there is an additional relay that controls the DRL's. I don't think 'adding a fuse' will enable it.

[Pescakl1]

And by adding a fuse and a relay?

From the same assumption as above, the relay box close to the fuse box in the engine compartment is probably similar in design.Not installing a relay is an easy task, changing the wiring underneath is not.

Maybe one of the US member could take a picture of the relay box and we could do the same to try to see the differences.

I believe there should not be a lot of work to move the US Rogue to DRL? What do you think?

[crispycritter911]

Well I so happen to have installed a 545t in to my 09 Rogue (US) today. I did research through the service manuals found on the site. But was very easy. I will up load some pics of my install.

I wired mine up to work without DRL and have eventually have it tied into the wiper. I mounted the relays on the driver side core support between the head lamp and the radiator.

You have to cut the red wire, in the module to disable DRL.

For the power I tied into the IDPM. You will notice the fuse panel is under the intake ducting. There are actually 2 panels the front most on has a standard cover you simply remove to see the fuses. The one closer to the shock tower has 4 tabs. Pop them loose, lift and flip the module over. Careful not to pull of the wrong cover.



Inside

You will notice the one large two prong plug with a green and red leads. Probably 8Ga. I've tied my power for the relays into the red one. Shows a 12volt constant.



What it looks like after wards. I ran the two leads from the relay pack into the fuse box through a hole for a large harness.



The two wires I had tied into the front left head lamp and running lamp. I believe the running lamps wire was red and the other wire blue. On my initial research it mentioned that the front running lights, both head lamps and tail lamps were all on seperate circuits. Apparently this wasn't the case. They all tied into commons. (IE: headlamps both come on with only one connection. The same with the running lights (On the running light circuit).)



If you pop a small hole to the right of the brake pedal or through the factory grommet you will have exactly enough length to connect the relays to the module. I noticed on my sound deadening on the firewall I notice small hole already punched out for something. Thats what I used as my guide. I mounted the switch for the 545t on the traction control mirror control panel. I suggest using a different switch. It feels cheesy and stands out like a sore thumb. To take the panel out I grabbed a hook scribe and put it carefully into a slit above the controls. There is a light in there so don't break it. You should be able to pop it out carefully.



I was trying to find a mounting location and noticed that Nissan screwed me. I thought I got a 6 speaker system and found out I had no dash tweeters. Pop the driver side tweeter cover off and dropped the wire for the photo cell straight down. Put the panel back on and finish wiring.



This leaves you with power, ground, ignition, wipers (not needed), and RF input (alarm control, not needed). All can be obtained from underneath the dash at the steering column.

Things to address and finish up on

I tried to tie into the e brake to keep the lights off with the GWA (if I want to go into a drive in). But I noticed it didn't do anything. I think I need to diode isolate the brake wire so it see a good ground and not getting any feed back from the e brake indicator.

The wipers, I didn't have enough time to tie into. It seems I would need to possible diode isolate low and high wiper input at the motor. Diode isolation to prevent the wipers from working at only one speed. These would tie into the 12volt (+) wiper input on the 545t

My viper 5701 is on the fritz again. I need to replace it. Its the second brainbox to go out. The first one I swapped out due to key fob programing, and battery life. This one is doing it now too and the starter relay is out. So I will be getting a 5901 in the next week or two.

Draw backs:Only thing else I've noticed is the interior lighting (A/C, steering wheel controls) do not light up unless you activate it with the light switch. No biggy to me. I can see the gauges and the radio fine without it.
Modified by crispycritter911 at 7:00 PM 3/16/2010

[Rogue2008]

I think we have auto-off feature if not immediately after locking the car but maybe after a minute or so. I am yet to confirm this on halogens but with my HIDs they do turn off after sometime. Maybe it is because the ballasts loose charge and that is not enough to keep the lights running. But I am loving this side benefit of the HIDs .

[cristu]

Hi Elton,

I'm trying to install myself this headlight system and I'm a little bit confused about the connection of 2 heavy wires (Brown & Violet).

Meaning, For (+) 12V switched system we should connect the Heavy Brown and Heavy Violet wires to 12V+ power source, but you connect the Heavy Brown wire to ground (-) and Violet to 12V+. The schematic shows the the two Heavy wires should connect it to 12V+.
Can you explain me why did you do that ? You didn't want to activate the parking light circuit ? just headlights ? I just want to make sure the I will nor blow my car's circuits.
Or do you have one positive circuit and one negative (and you used the bottom scheme)

Thank you

[big_c]

Im looking to install this...thanks for the write up. Non auto lights on a 08 car sucks.

Does anyone know how to get the dash lights to come on with the headlights?

[ImStricken06]

i had the AUTO feature in my 2002 maxima. it was great. but seriously guys, is turning the headlights on & off that big a deal to actually blow $100 on a shop to install, or even the money to buy this kit?

dont you have to turn the knob anyway to get the dashlights to come on? i think this is beyond lazy already. the system beeps at you when you turn the car off and open the door if your headlights are on. there is no way someone can miss that.

[Rogue One]

i had the AUTO feature in my 2002 maxima. it was great. but seriously guys, is turning the headlights on & off that big a deal to actually blow $100 on a shop to install, or even the money to buy this kit?

dont you have to turn the knob anyway to get the dashlights to come on? i think this is beyond lazy already. the system beeps at you when you turn the car off and open the door if your headlights are on. there is no way someone can miss that.

Can't tell you how many times I've accidentally turned my lights off at night switching the high beams on/off while the switch is on auto mode.
Despite that, I still keep it set to auto. Just lazy I guess.

[darylzero]

i had the AUTO feature in my 2002 maxima. it was great. but seriously guys, is turning the headlights on & off that big a deal to actually blow $100 on a shop to install, or even the money to buy this kit?

dont you have to turn the knob anyway to get the dashlights to come on? i think this is beyond lazy already. the system beeps at you when you turn the car off and open the door if your headlights are on. there is no way someone can miss that.

I have to imagine that if you are splicing into the wire that gets turned "on" when you manually turn the lights on it would also automatically bring the dash light on with this kit. Maybe someone who installed this could clue us in...

[haha55]

Quick question, does the light turn on when you use remote to unlock the vehicle at night? I saw GMC has this cool feature( he unlocks the vehicle and the light auto turned on) and it wasn't remote start