Possible / legal to fit LED running lights to older vehicles

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Possible / legal to fit LED running lights to older vehicles

timmmay

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#183649 25-Oct-2015 11:05

Is it easy / legal to fit something like these LED running lights to my 2003 Corolla? I really wanted something that would fit in the cutouts (see image here, just above each wheel) but all I can find is old fog lights.

Stu

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#1413420 25-Oct-2015 11:07

Yes, of course. Hella make some nice lights. Not sure of the quality of some of the products on Ebay.

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timmmay

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#1413423 25-Oct-2015 11:08

So I can fit those running lights? Or do I have to get something from somewhere like Repco? Not sure how they physically attach, not sure how they electrically attach.

Stu

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#1413425 25-Oct-2015 11:10

Usually a couple of screws/bolts per light to attach them to your car. They should be wired such that they're on when the car is running, but turn off as soon as the headlights are turned on.

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#1413428 25-Oct-2015 11:20

In answer to the source part of the question (forgot to respond to that bit): You can buy them anywhere, but any I've seen that are no-brand imports seem to have problems after a while. Leaks, dead LED or three, cracked lenses (with no visible sign of impact so possibly from the sun?)

I'm planning on adding some to my car, and have looked at Hella options (as well as cheap'n'nasties, but have decided to avoid them). Auto sparky will be carrying out the wiring.

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RunningMan

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#1413436 25-Oct-2015 11:40

The Hella ones are a three wire setup - earth, ignition, headlights. They will come on with the ignition key, and turn off when you turn the headlights on.

richms

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#1413459 25-Oct-2015 12:40

There are controllers off evay or aliexpress for a few bucks. Across the battery and ghey turn on when its 14 volts so running and a feed from the park lights to turn them off.

Some have indicator feeds too but not sure on the legality of the DRL flashing with the indicators. Euro cars dim them when indicating.

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timmmay

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#1413691 25-Oct-2015 21:25

Given there are cutouts for lights, do y'all think there will be a wiring harness down there that would be made for fitting lights?

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nakedmolerat

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#1413701 25-Oct-2015 21:31

The law is, if you have daytime running light, this need to be set to turned off at night or dimmed.

scuwp

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#1413702 25-Oct-2015 21:34

nakedmolerat: The law is, if you have daytime running light, this need to be set to turned off at night or dimmed.

Not exactly correct.

The main point to note already mentioned by a couple is that they must be wired so that they turn off when you turn the headlights on. There is no 'dimmed' status, only on or off. Here's what you must keep in mind to pass a WoF:

http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/general/lighting/daytime-running-lamps

The other point to note is that once fitted they must operate correctly, even though they are not mandatory equipment.

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nakedmolerat

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#1413735 25-Oct-2015 22:08

scuwp:
nakedmolerat: The law is, if you have daytime running light, this need to be set to turned off at night or dimmed.

Not exactly correct.

The main point to note already mentioned by a couple is that they must be wired so that they turn off when you turn the headlights on. There is no 'dimmed' status, only on or off. Here's what you must keep in mind to pass a WoF:

http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/general/lighting/daytime-running-lamps

The other point to note is that once fitted they must operate correctly, even though they are not mandatory equipment.

Please re-read what you have quoted.

You can either have it completely off OR dimmed when the headlight is on.

Jase2985

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#1413744 25-Oct-2015 22:42

timmmay: Given there are cutouts for lights, do y'all think there will be a wiring harness down there that would be made for fitting lights?

doubt it

k1w1k1d

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#1413752 25-Oct-2015 23:51

"...dimmed when the headlight is on."

This only relates to combination lamps, not separate DRL's.

timmmay

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#1414117 26-Oct-2015 20:43

Seems to complex, think I may pass on it. If it was easy I'd have done it, I'd like running lights but not if it's difficult or expensive. Thanks for the info all :)