Hi there,

Any idea how to turn on the LED strips/lights below the head lights as they seem to be off all the time?

Thanks,

 

They only come on when the lights are either on full or in the accessory position.

 

Thanks as I always have auto mode on all the time (just driven 140 miles since delivary 20 days ago so still trying to learn about the functions).

 

I had my LED lights turned on by the dealer when I had them active my day time running lights. Now the LED's come on automatically.

 

The LED lights always come on automatically with the headlights--unfortunately, no way to turn them on separately. The "daytime running lights" feature that the dealer can turn on keeps the headlights on whenever the car is in drive to meet Canadian law. Personally I don't like driving with the headlights on during the day.

 

I wanted a more even and brighter light and from the ones I have seen the LED’s provide that. I am not looking for the BMW or AUDI appearance at all. I was just considering them for replacement options.

 

I had them active my day time running lights.

 

Arden makes an LED kit that runs in addition to our stock one. Not sure the price but nothing from them is cheap.

 

your definitely right it isnt cheap its $1000 for those lights integrated to look stock.

 

I will tinker with the LED re-wiring the next few weeks and will keep the forum posted. I am wondering what can be done what is already there by simply re-wiring, and of course without screwing up the computers.

 

Are these still available? Link? Price?

 

http://shop.arden.de/jaguar/xj/xj-35...einwerfer.html

 

Question: Do someone know for certain that this can be activated by the dealer without having the headlights on constantly?


All claims of having it done are from members over four years ago.

 

Call your dealer and let us know what he says.

 

Looks like he did it with adding a relay and a little wiring mod.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-my-xj-149343/

 

Will this work to activate the LED's to serve DRL?


12V Automobile LED Daytime Running Fog Light Relay Harness Controller On Off Kit | eBay

 

You can achieve it with a single automotive relay (or one per lamp to keep the wiring simple).

The white LED strips (and amber side markers in US markets) are turned on when wire 2 to each headlamp unit is +12V*. You can relay switch this on ignition or even on vehicle wakeup to enable the LEDs. Note that you must still allow them to be operated by the position lamp switch (position I on the lighting stalk). The power draw for the side markers and the white LEDs (position markers) are embossed on the rear of the headlamp assembly - ensure that any supplying circuit is able to meet the peak current demands.

* Note that the current is monitored and the supply will be disconnected if it exceeds or drops from the expected range.

If you want the lamps to come on when the vehicle is unlocked then you can use wire 14 (the AFS motor supply) to trigger your relay. It is active while the car is unlocked, and will timeout if left unlocked. You'll need to check the total current draw with both side markers and white LED strips on to see if that circuit is also suitable for the supply (it is protected by a 5A fuse so you cannot exceed that and should aim not to exceed 2.5A for continual draw). The AFS current draw peaked at 0.9A when I tested mine, which gives you 1.6A. If that is not enough then use an inline fuse and take from the engine fuse box and ensure you use suitably rated power diodes on the AFS supply line and back to the new fuse box connection. (Remember to account for voltage drop across the diodes.)

Do not overload circuits and wiring - electrical fires can kill at the best of times, let alone with a mobile fuel tanker.

Looking at that kit you could probably make use of it, but for $13 I would want to open the box and run some tests on it before placing it in my car. It looks to be a relay in a box nothing more. You would still need to add diodes though as if you bypass the original circuit completely the system will detect a fault and shut the supply down.

Alternatively, just get in the habit of setting the lighting stalk to position I each time you drive the car. Is it that much of a hassle? The only difference is that the rear position lamps will also come on during the daytime.

 

Can I just leave the lights in position one without draining the battery or other adverse impact?

 

No, as the position lamps (sometimes called parking lamps) will remain on with the vehicle ignition off and locked.

 

DTL hack courtesy of Gears