I am looking to add aftermarket HID's to the low beams on my 05 Legacy GT Limited, but am not sure how to go about disabling the DRLs. I know that HIDs don't like running at less that 12v, and doing so can damage the starter and/or ballasts. I have looked in the fuse box both under the hood and in the dash, but was unable to find a fuse labeled DRL. I know in the the WRX, the DRLs are controlled by a sillverish module in the engine compartment which can be simply removed. I did a quick peek in the engine bay of my Legacy, but saw no such module. Can anyone out there help me out with this one?

- Justin
***RALLYON***

How about behind the glove compartment?

Good link here: http://www.lightsout.org/disable.html#Subaru

Or here: http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=122&highlight=Disable

Check this too: http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=488&highlight=drl

You should have something under your hood that controls your DRL's. Let me know if that helps.

~Zach

Originally posted by phenemwrx
Good link here: http://www.lightsout.org/disable.html#Subaru

Or here: http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=122&highlight=Disable

Check this too: http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=488&highlight=drl

You should have something under your hood that controls your DRL's. Let me know if that helps.

~Zach

I'll take a peak in the suggested areas, but does anyone have any more conrete info on the new Legacies?

....uummmm....I'd just look for the likely plug behind the glovebox and unplug it....or the resistor under the hood and unlpug that...

If you're installing HIDs you MUST find and disconnect the main DRL control module, it is not sufficient to unplug the dropping resistor under the hood. The module should be located inside the car someplace, probably on the passenger side either behind or next to the glovebox.
Some other points-
Since your light housings are reflector units that weren't designed for HIDs, the light pattern may not be optimal and there may be unwanted glare and scatter that will bother oncoming drivers. This has been an issue with HID retrofits on the new style Imprezas, many people have had this result. At the very least be absolutely certain that whatever kit you buy has the proper bulbs, which for reflectors would be the D2R type with an integral anti-glare mask on the bulb. Don't install D2S bulbs.
You may also find a shortage of quality retrofits due to the NHTSA action last year against vendors who sell them. Most of the reputable vendors complied and are no longer selling HID kits, which leaves the less-reputable ones selling kits of dubious quality. So, buyer beware. If possible stay away from the cheap Asian stuff and look for German components (Philips/Hella ballasts, Philips/Osram bulbs).

Mulder - the 05' Legacies have projector units...

Oh, ok-
I'll take back that part about the reflectors then. In that case the bulbs you need are the D2S type without the mask.
I still stand by everything else in that post. :)

Originally posted by Mulder
Oh, ok-
I'll take back that part about the reflectors then. In that case the bulbs you need are the D2S type without the mask.
I still stand by everything else in that post. :)

I was hoping to find an H7 retro kit and give them a try. I did come across one websitet selling A4 projector units, with the proper D2S bulbs, which may be able to be modded to fit the legacy, but I figure an H7 style bulb will probably work best. I figure where the beam is already a projector style, that as long as the bulb's dimensions, at least length aren't significantly different, the beam pattern should stay pretty consitent with a halogen H7. Anyone else have any thoughts, ideas?

- Justin

Justin - I'm currently running a Philips 4300K HID kit in my Prodrive lights (which have Hella 90mm H7 projectors). I've had no issues with the light spread giving glare to oncoming drivers. Just be sure to aim them properly or else they may become blinding. I would defintely try to get the Philips-based kit - they're not cheap but the components are top-notch and what most car maufacturers use in the OEM HID setups. Let me know if you need a source for them :)

Originally posted by Hank3
Justin - I'm currently running a Philips 4300K HID kit in my Prodrive lights (which have Hella 90mm H7 projectors). I've had no issues with the light spread giving glare to oncoming drivers. Just be sure to aim them properly or else they may become blinding. I would defintely try to get the Philips-based kit - they're not cheap but the components are top-notch and what most car maufacturers use in the OEM HID setups. Let me know if you need a source for them :)

Hank;

Can you get your hands on a Philips 4300k H7 kit? I have seen some pretty decent kits still out there, but would def. prefer going Phillips/Hella if possible. PM me and let me know what sorta price you can do for me.

Thanks..

Justin
***RALLYON***

Email'd you Justin :)

Your PM box is full...

Just in case you're interested in a H7 6000K Philips kit:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=580991

Personally I'd get the 4100k/4300K kit ;)

Does anyone else have any ideas on this topic?


- Justin
***RALLYON***

I subscribed to the Subaru Technical Manuals online in an attempt to find the location of the DRL module/wiring connectors in the 2005 Legacy/Outback. After looking at the wiring harness diagram, the proper harness connector appeared to be located high in the dashboard area, either beside or behind the instrument cluster. Well after taking the dash and instrument panel nearly entirely apart, I found out a few things. First off, you DON'T NEED to take the upper dashboard or instrument cluster apart to disable the DRL's The DRL module for the 2005 Legacy/Outback is located in the driver's side lower dash area. All you basically need to do is remove the lower part of the dash, on the driver's side which contains the HVAC floor vents and lower cover for the driver's footwell area. It's got two push-in/screw type connectors and a nylon fastener in the middle. Once the guard is removed, if you look up about 6" up, you'll see the DRL module, it's even labeled Subaru DRL module It's the same basic layout as before, there are two groups of connectors, white and black I believe.. By pulling out the white connector, the DRL moduel is disabled. I was able to confirm the proper operation of all headlights, foglights, side markers, taillights, etc after pulling the proper moduile. If you accidentally pull out the wrong connector, you won't have any lights. I hope my afternoon going about this project the wrong way will help someone else avoid my mistakes, and turn what was a 3+ hour ordeal for me into a simple 10minute procedure for someone else looking to do the same mod.

- Justin

Great - thanks for reporting back. Hopefully this will help other members save a lot of time and frustration in the future :)

Thanks! I gave up trying to find anything on the Legacy, nothing's in the same place as the WRX :D

From messing around my Legacy over the weekend, I came to the conclusion that you can't rely on your WRX knowledge with this car.

DRL successfully disabled :)

Originally posted by bemani
DRL successfully disabled :)

Glad to hear I could be of help to you. Are you planning on adding HIDs to your low beams? I am considdering it, but am a little wary after hearing all the talk about switched grounds and common grounds, makes it sound less "plug & play" than the vendors make the kits out to be.

- Justin
***RALLYON***

Thanks for the good information. At the very least, I would like to disable the DRL. It seems that my habit of pulling the Emergency brake to burn off those last MPH whent he radar detector goes off.... actually turns off my DRL. No sense in advertising here. Thanks for the information. Anyone able to pull the shop manual for the 05 Legacy? How could I get one?

FWIW, I'm also looking into replacing the door lights with blue LED's I think I've found some from the boating/marine industry. Does anyone else have any good sources?

Rimfaxe

I'm not going to run HID, I just like to keep my lights off during the day :)

I'm also looking into replacing the door lights with blue LED's I think I've found some from the boating/marine industry. Does anyone else have any good sources?
Try www.superbrightleds.com/ They have a great selection. You will need to know what the stock bulbs are.

Still puzzles me how Subaru didn't change their wiring to power the high beam at half power for DRL.... that would have allowed HID in both Canada (DRL required) and US (not exactly requiring DRL)

Thanks for the good information. At the very least, I would like to disable the DRL. It seems that my habit of pulling the Emergency brake to burn off those last MPH whent he radar detector goes off.... actually turns off my DRL. No sense in advertising here.

wow that's a fantastic idea :rolleyes: