Ethan Melamed

Hey Rx8 club!

So I just bought my 8. I live in Canada and the one thing that I need to fix on it (the 8, not canada) is one of the day time running lights is out. I've done enough research to know that the problem is the drl module. I just received the drl module that I ordered (from the states). When I went to remove the old one (stock canadian one) I noticed that there were two things plugged into it. The one I ordered has only one socket to plug something into.
So is there some way that I can still use this american one and have everything work properly or do I have to send it back and try and get one from canada?

And btw the one that is on the car is light blue and the new one is black.

Thanks for any help you can give me

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Moved to Canadian subforum for you, probably get some better help here. Sorry I can't answer it myself.

thewird

Probably have to get the Canadian one. Its supposed to be blue.

thewird

DarkBrew

Maybe send back the wrong module and repair your old one... DIY link below
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-...hlight=diy+drl

Dustin21

Both completely different

Ethan Melamed

It was pretty much impossible to find the canadian part so I ended up just replacing the relays in the broken one. Works fine now.

Dustin21

No auto wrecker? We had 4 at ours, two head ones and two rear end posts lol

Abzyme

Just bought an RX8 that was originally sold in the US. When I bought it the brights worked but the low beams didn't and no DRL. I had new bulbs put in the lows but that did nothing. Changed fuses, nothing. I think it is probably the DRL module from what I have read. Since this is a US car with a DRL module installed after, can I just take it out and work the lights manually? If I do need to replace the module, which one do I buy?

Dustin21

from my understanding is the us cars have a type of drl module but its just a mini ecu that runs your lights and such, but ours in have the drl cuz war required i was trying to find the wiring diagram i used cuz i bypassed my fogs from the module but kept my stock fuse and relay so they work on hi beam also. long story short i THINK the wiring is the same and you could try swapping a used canadian del module in and if it doesn't work i think you'll have to do some rewiring. i think you might end up something like this.First Project - Configuring DRLs for Canada - MX-5 Miata Forum. id love for someone to step in and help haha id love to know the answer, sorry i didn't help very much

Ethan Melamed

If you can get your hands on a canadian drl module it's really easy providing you or someone you know has any experience with sautering.
In lay man's terms:
You just pull the motherboard looking thing out of the box. Then you locate the two kind of big black box looking things on the motherboard, you really can't miss them. Those are called relays and they are connected to the board in 5 places each. You have to heat up the metal circles until you can pop out the relay, then do the same for the other. You have to order two new relays, which is something like $10-12 and then sauter them onto the board. That's all I did and my lights work perfectly now.

Abzyme

Why would I get a Canadian DRL? as I said it is a US car in Canada. I am not 100% sure that the DRL is the problem. I tried taking it out. Was black not blue and had only the one connection to it. When I did that I went from having no low beams and no horn to having no low beams, horn, or power windows. I will try looking in a junk yard for a module but It seems the US one would be what I need, if the DRL module is in fact the problem. I don't really want to order one if the problem is elsewhere and am not crazy about soldering it in case I just make the problem worse.

I really wish there was a way to simply wire it so that there is no DRL module and just turn the headlights on and off manually

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Do you have Zenon Low beams? You may have a wiring or ballast issue if you do

Electrical problems require careful diagnosis...grab a multimeter and start checking for power to the different plugs....

Be careful on the post ballast end if you are mucking around there...the voltage is very high

cybrmage

The US spec vehicle do NOT have a factory DRL module and they do NOT have the wiring for the factory module. The black module that is installed in the same place as the Canadian spec DRL module is the "Delayed Power Control Module". It powers the power windows and allows them to work for 45 seconds after the ignition is turned off or until the doors are opened.

When a US vehicle is imported into Canada, it MUST have a DRL system, either factory or aftermarket installed. As the US RX-8 does not have the factory DRL, an aftermarket system is usually installed. Most garages will install the aftermarket DRL modules onto the low beam. So lack of low beam indicates that either the aftermarket DRL module has died, or the module has overloaded the electrical system and fried the fuse or other components.

First thing you need to do is find the DRL module. Look under the dashboard for wire that connect to the ignition harness and/or other harnesses in the steering column. other possible locations are the drivers kickpanel by the interior fusebox. Once you find the module you can remove it (you may need to splice wire back together) to return the lighting system to stock. Also, eliminate the other possibilities. Check the Low beam fuse. Check the low beam relay.

As for the horn... It is connected to the horn relay, and the clockspring switch in the steering column, and the keyless control module in the passsenger kickpanel. If the horn does not work when you prees the button in the steering wheel, it can be the fuse, horn relay or clockspring switch that has failed. If the horn sounds when you lock the car with the remote (two presses of the lock button), the problem is in the steering column. If the horn does not sound at all, check/replace the horn fuse and relay.

Once you remove the aftermarket DRL module, the system should work as it originally did. Beware though, that if you are in a jurisdiction that has annual inspections, you will need to have DRLs functional in order to pass.


BTW... Check the Field Service Manual for wiring Diagrams.
Delayed Power Control Module - FSM - Chapter 13 - Section K1
Headlights - FSM - Chapter 13 - Section E1 to E4
Horn - FSM - Chapter 13 - Section F3

Good Luck!!

Abzyme

Hey thanks for the help. I got the horn working (was a fuse) still can't find the DRL module. I looked under the steering column area and by the fuse paned by drivers feet. There are so many wires and little plastic boxes. I have no idea what I am looking for. Is there anything that should give it away? Would it help if I took pictures?

Ethan Melamed

The drl module is behind the glove box on the back wall to the left

Abzyme

No I don't believe it is. This is a US car with an aftermarket DRL module installed. I am wondering how is the best way to locate it. A wire to follow or something.