Adding automatic headlight feature

[jayman]

Originally Posted by airbusdriver

Jayman, do you have a simple diagram to install the automotive relay for "ignition on lights"?

Actually a lot of generic DRL modules should work with the Prius. I wouldn't use one on any Prius with HID headlights, a better option would be to wire into the "foglight" system

[jayman]

Originally Posted by Flying White Dutchman

i was looking for that 2 but apparently the EU prius also has no auto switch

i am also hoping i can install the bears solution with the relay

I wonder if the Prius sold in Sweden has either Auto headlights or DRL. Most Swedish automobiles must run with low beam headlights *and* tailights all the time

I used to have a 1990 Toyota 4Runner that I purchased new here in Canada. Toyota apparently copied the Swedish model, as that was the first year for Daytime Running Lights in Canada.

As soon as I started that 4Runner, the low beam headlights and tailights turned on. The only reason to turn on the headlight switch was to use high beams at night

[Bear68]

Here is the basic design that I have used. A standard 12v relay available from any parts store has 5 teminals. You will use only four of them. I prefer to connect one side of the coil together with one side of the switch and run both to ground. The other side of the coil is connected to an ignition power source and the other side of the switch is connected to the wire coming into the headlight switch. Please forgive my total lack of artistic ability.
If you goto the combo switch connector that plugs into the headlight switch portion, connect to the red wire at pin 20. That wire goes to the switch side. For the ignition switch power I have used the Violet wire in connector 1G pin 6. 1G is located in the top row of plugs on the driver's side junction block just below and slightly left of the steering column. It is a 14 pin connector and I believe it is white. (That violet wire BTW gets power from the 10a gauge fuse and goes to the master power window switch. I tried to upload a picture of it but it wouldn't load since I get my info from TIS. This relay only uses four wires, two of which join into one and go to a good ground. When the ignition is turned on, the violet wire provides power to the coil to close the switch. The closed relay switch then provides ground on the red headlight wire to turn on the headlights.

[Flying White Dutchman]

Originally Posted by jayman

I wonder if the Prius sold in Sweden has either Auto headlights or DRL. Most Swedish automobiles must run with low beam headlights *and* tailights all the time

I used to have a 1990 Toyota 4Runner that I purchased new here in Canada. Toyota apparently copied the Swedish model, as that was the first year for Daytime Running Lights in Canada.

As soon as I started that 4Runner, the low beam headlights and tailights turned on. The only reason to turn on the headlight switch was to use high beams at night

a ok
well i hope daylight is not going to be a law over here.

its uses a lot more fuel and IMO its not saver

[jayman]

Originally Posted by Flying White Dutchman

its uses a lot more fuel and IMO its not saver

Not sure if headlights use a "lot" more fuel. However, I agree about the life saving benefits being vague.

Here in Canada, the first 3-4 years after DRL legislation was introduced, there was a reduction in certain accident types. However, that has faded into background statistical noise. Like everything else, people get used to seeing headlights and censor them out

Guess what the school buses in Manitoba have now? Very very bright flashing white strobe lights that are ALWAYS flashing! Winter here lasts a long time, and there is nothing like being stuck behind a school bus in traffic, in the dark, with that flashing white strobe light slowly but surely giving me an aneurysm

It's enough to make you want to purposely want to ram school buses off the road! What next, sirens and hundreds of flashing strobe lights?

[cngrevolution]

Ok so here is my question. One, why would a corolla have auto headlights and a prius with all its tech stuff does not? So moving on from that my other question maybe for a tech who works on the prius. Could we just order the turn signal stalk with the auto setting, get the sensor on the dash and just plug it in? and any other relays also just plug in? I have worked on a few different Fords and they have a habit of pre-wiring things so that all you have to do is plug in the option and it works.

[RobH]

You probably could just order the parts, but not from a US dealer. The technical information about the US Prius includes references to the Canadian auto-headlight parts. It seems to just be the light sensor and an extra position on the light switch. You could probably get by with just the sensor and an accessory switch.

I would worry about turning HID lights on and off too many times. They are very sensitive to how many times they are cycled.

Anybody have an internet address for a Canadian Toyota dealer who might be willing to sell the appropriate parts?