DRL

Where is the daytime running light sensor in a 1998 Plymouth Breeze?

 

"Sensor"? I'm not aware of the '98 Breeze having automatic headlamp
switching. What part are you looking for, and for what purpose?

 

There is a sensor on vehichles sold in Canada that keeps your headlights on
at 50% power when your headlight switch is in the off position. When you
turn your lights on, this over-rides the sensor and your lights function
normally. The snsor in my car is burned out and I would like to replace
it..

 

It's not a "sensor" as you are calling it. The only "sensor" that would
be a part of a headlamp/daytime running lamp system would be on vehicles
equipped with automatic headlamp switching. Your Breeze hasn't got that
feature, therefore no sensor.

The Daytime Running Light function is provided in one of several ways
depending on the vehicle. Chrysler products with reduced-intensity high
beam DRLs such as yours usually have an electronic control module which,
using a power resistor or a Pulse Width Modulation circuit, sends
less-than-full power to the high beams. However, there are *numerous*
variants. Some vehicles have a module that simply puts the high beams in
series with each other. Some vehicles have a module that puts the low and
the high beam filament on each side of the vehicle in series with each
other. Some vehicles have a resistive or PWM module that supplies
slightly reduced voltage to the low beams. Some vehicles have a
combination turn signal/DRL module that burns the front turn signal
filaments full time as DRLs. Some vehicles have a module that runs the
front fog lamps as DRLs. Some vehicles have separate, dedicated DRL units.

The Chrysler reduced-intensity high beam DRL module is not nearly as
failure prone as the Ford item, but that's faint praise. I'm not quite
certain where it is in the '98 Breeze, but it may be within the left front
fender, accessible by removing the left front tire/wheel and removing the
plastic inner fender liner. You can either pay a lot of money for a
factory replacement module that will fail again, or you can go to the turn
signal DRL system with this module:

www.webelectricmagazine.com

DS

 

Dan, I thought you had concerns with turn signal DRL configurations.
Namely...the amber color, potential signaling ambiguity and reduced
signaling filament life.

 

| Where is the daytime running light sensor in a 1998 Plymouth Breeze?
|
|

Why don't you just save the $$$ and get in the habit or routinely turning
your lights on manually?

 

I agree, if the DRLs mean so much to you turn on the low beam headlights.

There's a sensor on the e-brake too. Deactivates DRLs when the e-brake is
on. Same switch as the e-brake indicator. But your question is being rather
vague as to what "sensor". Are you sure the high beam filaments aren't
burned out?

 

Yes, all of those.

However, they beat high-beam DRLs to a bloody pulp.

DS

 

No sale for this guy. DRLs are mandatory equipment in Canada. He'll fail
provincial safety inspection without 'em.

DS

 

He didn't say what province he was from, if it is Ontario, then there is no
yearly inspection.

 

| On Fri, 5 Dec 2003, James C. Reeves wrote:
|
| > Dan, I thought you had concerns with turn signal DRL configurations.
| > Namely...the amber color, potential signaling ambiguity and reduced
| > signaling filament life.
|
| Yes, all of those.
|
| However, they beat high-beam DRLs to a bloody pulp.
|
| DS
|

I can't argue with that, now that you mention it.

Question, do you have any inside poop as to when in the world the NHTSA is
going to make some final rules on DRL intensity limits, requirements, etc.
They've been sitting on this thing for what, 9 years now?

 

The latest unofficial word is "sometime early next year". The final rule
was due in '99.

DS

 

| On Sat, 6 Dec 2003, James C. Reeves wrote:
|
| > Question, do you have any inside poop as to when in the world the NHTSA
| > is going to make some final rules on DRL intensity limits, requirements,
| > etc. They've been sitting on this thing for what, 9 years now?
|
| The latest unofficial word is "sometime early next year". The final rule
| was due in '99.
|
| DS
|

Well, that's better than "when hell freezes over" I guess! Which was when I
thought it was scheduled!! The timing then explains GM's recent news
releases on the subject, I suppose. I hope common sense (like your great
input & suggestions) wins out over politics. But, the world doesn't always
turn on common sense, I'm afraid.

Thanks Daniel for the insight!

 

| On Sat, 6 Dec 2003, Bill 2 wrote:
|
| > > Why don't you just save the $$$ and get in the habit or routinely
turning
| > > your lights on manually?
| >
| > I agree, if the DRLs mean so much to you turn on the low beam
headlights.
|
| No sale for this guy. DRLs are mandatory equipment in Canada. He'll fail
| provincial safety inspection without 'em.
|

Now THATs a bummer!