Freelander LED Daytime Running Lights Mod.

Having seen all the newer and up-to-date cars running around with the latest LED Daytime-Running lights, thinking they are a good idea - especially when approaching blind junctions… , I decided to modify my 2006 Freelander Td4 – 3 doors, to include the same, using existing lights.

I first bought a pair of H11 LED Fog-Lamps on Ebay, cheap from China – taking about 1 month to arrive.

I then set out to modify the standard Fog-Lamp wiring so I could switch them ON or OFF during the day, or whenever, without the need to have other lights working too. In other words, with the ignition ON I could have them ON, without the need for additional side or head-lights.

I went to Fuse No F39 in the main Fuse-Box beneath the dashboard, removing the 10 Amp (blue) fuse.

I discovered F40 was free of any fuse, correctly considering it to be a redundant circuit. Testing for a voltage supply I found it was an Ignition-switch controlled 12v output, which was suitable for supplying a working voltage while the engine was running.

The top connector of F40 was the 12v positive, and being Ignition Switch controlled meant it would suit the purpose of supplying a voltage to the fog lamps instead of the F39.

Using Male Spade-connectors, I basically connected an in-line 10 Amp fuse between the F40 Ignition-Controlled positive (top connection) to the lower connection of F39.

With the Ignition switched on I could now switch the Fog-Lamps ON or Off as I wanted.

Once tested with the standard Halogen lamps, to ascertain all was good-to-go, I replaced those bulbs with the LED lamps.

I now have two very bright & white Fog-Lights that resemble modern Daytime-Running lights that use very little electricity while letting others see my presence.

If any reader of this has a Haynes Workshop Manual, for the 1997 to 2006 Freelander, you can find the appropriate circuit-diagram (schematic) on page 12.66

I hope I haven’t confused anyone with my explanation. I’m aware things can seem simple to those who already know a system, while being confusing to those who do not… typical of many manuals for anything electrical/mechanical.

That's a neat work a round. However it's not strictly legal as the DRLs must extinguish automatically when side or headlights are on. It is possible to do this with a relay in your fused wire link. Or rewire the LEDs ground connection to the side light + feed. When the DRLs are active the LED will ground through the side light bulbs. When power is supplied, the LED DRL will extinguish.

Needs pictures

The only thing I think is wrong with stand alone DRL's on the front is you often see cars running with no lights
on at all on the rear.
With modern cars the dash lights up with the ignition and its easy to forget when in town to switch on your lights

I've included some pictures, hoping what is there will help. Also, I got the Fuse colour wrong. It should be a RED fuse for 10 Amps. Blue is a 15 Amp. Ooops.

Thanks - and good looking result!

Ah, I forgot to add this picture into my previous reply concerning my Fog Light LED Mod. It's that I've used the same 12 volt source, as shown in the photo's, for a USB Twin-Outlet socket.
I think the picture should be self explanatory. It also came from Ebay (China).
I power an extension socket from it, that in-turn powers a... Forward looking camera, A GPS LCD MPH speedometer ( for when I'm in the UK), and a GPS Sat-Nav.
And anything else I need.