Need help with headlights

[domokun]

Hi guys,

So I just bought a 2002 WRX recently, and I am new here. I need some help with some headlight issues.

So here are the symptoms:

1. Headlights stays on even when switched off.
2. headlights gets a little brighter when switched is turned on
3. Headlights turn off when e-brake is on.
4. Fog lights is never on.
5. Headlights will not turn on when switched on while car engine is off and key is in ignition.

Not sure what's going on here, as i am very new to WRX. I read up some stuff and it may be a bypass thing that the previous owner may have done? If so, how can i correct it?

Any help would be wonderful, please, please, please.. thank you!!




-jason

[Anub1s]

All sounds like normal DRL behavior to me. Addressing #3, if you switch the headlights on with the switch and pull up the e-brake they should not turn off. But if the switch is turned to off and they go off when you pull up the e-brake, your DRL's are working as they should.

The only thing that seems off is the fog lights, but those turn on when you push the button to the left of the steering wheel (assuming these are factory installed).

[mycologist]

Yup, exactly.

[Rambo]

All sounds like normal DRL behavior to me.

+1. This is exactly what the daytime running lights are supposed to do. I can confirm my 2003 wrx works exactly the same. The other thing that trips people up is the parking light switch on top of the steering column. That will light up the small extra bulbs on the outside edge of the headlights, and the rear taillights. It should be off most of the time, but can be turned on at any point, even with the key out.

[domokun]

All sounds like normal DRL behavior to me. Addressing #3, if you switch the headlights on with the switch and pull up the e-brake they should not turn off. But if the switch is turned to off and they go off when you pull up the e-brake, your DRL's are working as they should.

The only thing that seems off is the fog lights, but those turn on when you push the button to the left of the steering wheel (assuming these are factory installed).

Ahhh, thank you so much, I did a research on DRL, and it makes sense now. I had no idea what that was. So I guess I'll be disabling the DLR, because I dont like it being on 24/7 when the car is running. Also, the button to the left turns on the fog lights. Man, I feel like a newb. My first WRX, thanks for the info!!!!!!! =)

[Rambo]

So I guess I'll be disabling the DLR, because I dont like it being on 24/7 when the car is running.

Any reason why? If you're worried about bulb light, don't. I used Philips Extreme-vision bulbs (which focus more on output than bulb life), and they lasted for years with the DRLs always on.

[Boarderbiker]

Ahhh, thank you so much, I did a research on DRL, and it makes sense now. I had no idea what that was. So I guess I'll be disabling the DLR, because I dont like it being on 24/7 when the car is running. Also, the button to the left turns on the fog lights. Man, I feel like a newb. My first WRX, thanks for the info!!!!!!! =)

Daytime running lights are a safety feature and cost nothing in terms of performance. They've been proven to reduce accidents by making you visible to others. They are not intended to enable you to see, but to enable others to see you. I'm not sure about the laws governing mandatory safety equipment where you live, but it's illegal to disable any safety equipment in Ontario. My advice would be to leave them alone. The only time they're on is when you're driving, and you can't see them from the driver's seat.

[domokun]

Daytime running lights are a safety feature and cost nothing in terms of performance. They've been proven to reduce accidents by making you visible to others. They are not intended to enable you to see, but to enable others to see you. I'm not sure about the laws governing mandatory safety equipment where you live, but it's illegal to disable any safety equipment in Ontario. My advice would be to leave them alone. The only time they're on is when you're driving, and you can't see them from the driver's seat.

thanks for the advice and suggestion everyone, since they wont affect performance, Ill just leave them alone.

[domokun]

Btw, wrx's are so cool, where have i been????!!