Topic: How to: Disable DRL 02-03 impreza/WRX

[My Dad]

I searched this on multiple forums and everything was kinda meh!!

So this is for 02-03 impreza/wrx (not sure if other cars are different)
I believe there is more than one way to do this,but here's what I did.

-Open glove box and remove 7 Phillips screws there is 2 under the glove box. Also remove plastic clip on the right side of glove box behind the door.

-Wiggle it out slowly as there is a wire connected to your glove box light.   

Some people can squeeze there arms up there but it really only takes a minute to remove it.

-Simply pull out the clip that my screwdriver is pointing at,tape those puppies up and that's it! No more DRL!

Note: it is illegal to have no day time running lights if your car was originally equipped with them.(I think) 

[snackers]

Searching "DRL delete" led me here.
http://www.westernsubaruclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=20977.msg297941#msg297941
Which then led me here.
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/344152-post19.html
Which is part of this.
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gd-exterior/32723-how-disable-daytime-lights-06-a.html

[My Dad]

Yeah it was a bit of messing around,although I didn't end up in your build thread.
The second link there is great info.
I'm sure there is enough info and links  here now that a baby could do this

[snakeman]

I managed to do it without taking the glove box off. I did have to contort my hand in some terrible ways though. Took like 30 seconds

[schizoSTI]

question, what do you gain by doing this?  Other than being able to say that you disable you DRLs?

you plan on doing some late night driving with your lights completely shut off?

[Ambystom01]

If you have aftermarket HIDs, you may need to disable the DRLs.

[snackers]

Even if you have OEM HIDs, having them on all the time decreases their life.
I know this is a matter of opinion, but unless you're on the highway, there is no need to have your headlights and tail lights (which is what the STI does) on during the day.

If my DRLs were halogen (as they were on the 08 wrx which is why I didn't disable them) I wouldn't care. Halogens aren't 200 bucks a pair to replace.

[Jay89]

I've tried looking for that on my 07 wrx, its not there. So my solution was simply to unplug the connector in the engine bay, passenger side. Can't remember where I saw that from but it worked.

[snakeman]

The one in the glove box should be disconnected. DRL's have been known to come back using the under hood method.

[jellynuts]

It is different for the 07 STi (I'm not sure about 07 WRX's though). 

Here are the links I've found helpful:

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/1665998-post173.html

and the very last post by Staple:

http://www.westernsubaruclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=2457.0

It's under the steering column as opposed to the glove box on the 02-06's. 

My question is, as Snackers alluded to on his 08 rex, is there a way to relay the DRL's to the High Beams as opposed to disabling them?  You'd have to put a resister in there so you don't blind everyone, but figuring out electrical things is game over for me.   This is how my TSX lights worked, and I assumed all cars with separate low/high beams did this. 

[snackers]

You could look at the 08+ wiring diagram. They use highbeams (at reduced voltage) for DRL.

[jvd]

I have the USDM HID's in my '04. If i plug the DRL module in my headlights turn into strobes.

Just wanted to add to the "why would you want to do this" question.

[KennyB]

I had my glove box out the other day to change the cabin air filter and was going to unplug my drl's as I've already replaced each of my factory HID bulbs this year but it didnt look like all the pictures I've seen..  There was no blue plug just a grey one, which I disconnected but the DRL's stayed on so I said screw it, plugged it back in because it was probably something else important and put it all back together..  Anybody else disconnect them on a 05 American STi to confirm that it's different or that I am crazy??

[My Dad]

Changed thread title for now to suit the years.
Do post up solutions though.