Technical DRL question - RESOLVED

[GettinBetter]

Why does the DRL bulb have two elements?

I know the lamp assembly also has the main beam built in, but that has a seperate bulb, it can't be the indicator as thats in the top of the main headlamp assembly.

Anyone shed some light on this...

 

[steveras57]

Glows as a side light when main lights are switched on!

 

[chris3234]

Glows as a side light when main lights are switched on!

This

A brighter filiment for the drl
And a dimmer one for your sidelights

 

[GettinBetter]

I can't actually turn sidelights only on, so it may be redundancy incase of a main beam failure? To stop you looking like a motorcycle?

 

[steveras57]

WITH lights in off position DRLs are on BRIGHT!
When you turn on your headlights with the stalk switch, the dipped or main beams come on!, and the Bright DRLs go off! and the dimmer filament in the drl bulb comes on as a sidelight! You cannot change the drl from bright to dim manually!

 

[GettinBetter]

Ah, perfect reply. Ok, thank you.

 

[John202020]

I can't actually turn sidelights only on, so it may be redundancy incase of a main beam failure? To stop you looking like a motorcycle?

With the key out and the lights in off position, now turn on lights, side lights on, dim front.

 

[steveras57]

Do they stay dim when you start the engine then John?

 

[John202020]

Do they stay dim when you start the engine then John?

Yes, assuming you've left the lights on, the headlights will come on too, the way I suggested is to allow you to leave the lights on when leaving the car at night when you intentionally want to leave the side lights on.
If once started, and you then turn off the lights then the (drl/side) lights are then bright.
The lights operation will revert to normal after start stop, ie if left on, will all go off with the key

 

[steveras57]

Basically parking blights then! cant drive with dim drl,s as sidelights unless main lights are turned on!

 

[John202020]

Basically parking blights then! cant drive with dim drl,s as sidelights unless main lights are turned on!

Correct

 

[steveras57]

Think thats what the OP was driving at! glad we are all in the same place now!