Technical check daytime running lights... hmmm....

[Garethyoung]

anyone experienced this?
found the exclamation mark illuminated yesterday followed by the message to check the running lights.
so i did, the left hand one was off.
later on decided to check all lights, headlights on, left hand headlight was off but.... the bulb that functions as the running light was on.
hopefully this is just a side effect of needing a new headlight bulb and not some weird system failure.

 

[TrevC]

Did you replace the DRL bulb when you saw it was out, or did it start working again by itself?
Was the headlamp bulb that was off the high beam or dip? The high beam is in the same housing as the DRL, so if you changed the latter you may have disturbed something - it's a fiddly job.

 

[John202020]

The drl bulb is a twin filament type (580 I think) so two new bulbs and you're good to go probably, I would recommend the Philips extreme +130% (55watt) bulbs for the head lights, they're very good and road legal.

 

[Piccolo Nero e Bella]

anyone experienced this?
found the exclamation mark illuminated yesterday followed by the message to check the running lights.
so i did, the left hand one was off.
later on decided to check all lights, headlights on, left hand headlight was off but.... the bulb that functions as the running light was on.
hopefully this is just a side effect of needing a new headlight bulb and not some weird system failure.

The DRL bulb has two filaments (21w/5w) and serves as the DRL when the headlights are off and as a parking (side) light when they are on.

Oh, and just to confuse the issue, it also serves as a parking (side) light when the ignition (and therefore headlights) are off.

 

[Mick F]

The DRL bulb has two filaments (21w/5w) and serves as the DRL when the headlights are off and as a parking (side) light when they are on.

Spot on.

The DRLs go off when you switch on the lights, therefore the DRL is still defective.

Mick.

 

[John202020]

This is the DRL bulb(keep a spare);
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/c...ghting/lighting1/car-bulb/?481770912&&cc5_401

If you want a bright white DRL light colour this is what I've used, though one only lasted 30 days the others have been fine(not strictly road legal)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2X-W21-5W...c12eb31&pid=100005&rk=4&rkt=6&sd=321702207810

And this my headlamp bulb of choice;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Philips-X...426543&hash=item2839c341ec:g:koMAAOSw9mFWJ95Y

You may find when changing the drl bulb the access cover has disappeared if so this is what you need, and drill holes in it to cable tie it on;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-500-...ug-71752114-/231073708977?hash=item35cd10fbb1

 

[Kekybobo]

I've had this warning come on and go off again for about 2 weeks now. It seems that the bulbs are a tad loose in their holders. When the car starts the warning comes on then goes out after about 30secs. Sometimes I have to get out and give the light housing a gentle thump.

 

[John202020]

I've had this warning come on and go off again for about 2 weeks now. It seems that the bulbs are a tad loose in their holders. When the car starts the warning comes on then goes out after about 30secs. Sometimes I have to get out and give the light housing a gentle thump.

Remove the bulb and bend outwards the contact wires and replace it, might help?

 

[Kekybobo]

Remove the bulb and bend outwards the contact wires and replace it, might help?

I did try that. It definitely helped but I've had the DRLs in and out so much that the wiring to the holders has begun to look quite fragile. Much like the rest of the wiring (esp the hatch) I think it's questionable.

I've a feeling ill be taking the front end off within the next year and systematically replacing lengths of wire and connectors.


My cars and 08 with 78k miles

 

[John202020]

I did try that. It definitely helped but I've had the DRLs in and out so much that the wiring to the holders has begun to look quite fragile. Much like the rest of the wiring (esp the hatch) I think it's questionable.

I've a feeling ill be taking the front end off within the next year and systematically replacing lengths of wire and connectors.


My cars and 08 with 78k miles

I hope you've had the front off before and replaced the small inner wing guard screws with stainless and greased the other bolts or you could have a "typical " Fiat job, PITA

 

[Garethyoung]

Thanks for the advice. High beams working, just the main headlight not so will get that done and ask for the drl to be checked at the same time

 

[typecastboy]

I hope you've had the front off before and replaced the small inner wing guard screws with stainless and greased the other bolts or you could have a "typical " Fiat job, PITA

Im on my 18th write off repair and some of those bolts can be tight but never yet had one snap.