Technical Front day/fog light operation, Ducato 2011
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Technical Front day/fog light operation, Ducato 2011
Hello,
Usually daylight running lights and fog lights are independent on a 2011 Ducato (x250).
The DRL are operated through a module, they switch on with the ignition and switch off when you switch on the low / high beam. That was the law in the EU at that time. They were not standard on a 2011 Ducato, there wasn't even a dedicated place to install them.
The fog lights have a switch around the hazard switch on the central console or on the panel above the external knee of the driver. They switch on only with markers / low / high beam when the ignition is on. They were an option on the 2011 Ducato and are located in the lowest part of the bumper on both sides.
I don't know what Autotrail installed on your van. Perhaps they put an aftermarket 2 function lights. Can you post a photo to confirm?
Usually daylight running lights and fog lights are independent on a 2011 Ducato (x250).
The DRL are operated through a module, they switch on with the ignition and switch off when you switch on the low / high beam. That was the law in the EU at that time. They were not standard on a 2011 Ducato, there wasn't even a dedicated place to install them.
The fog lights have a switch around the hazard switch on the central console or on the panel above the external knee of the driver. They switch on only with markers / low / high beam when the ignition is on. They were an option on the 2011 Ducato and are located in the lowest part of the bumper on both sides.
I don't know what Autotrail installed on your van. Perhaps they put an aftermarket 2 function lights. Can you post a photo to confirm?
Thanks Green Vanper, yeah I thought DRL would be on with the ignition, these seem to come on when they like? I only have a rear fog light switch in that position. See attached for pic of lights. Really puzzling
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The DRL's are switched automatically with ignition, or in some cases engine running and dim [ or possibly go out] when headlights are switched on.
There is normally a small matchbox sized control unit fitted in the engine bay fairly close to the fusebox. There is a power lead from the unit into the fuse box. I suspect the control unit is faulty.
An example is this ebay kit. It is possible to source a controller only, google 'canbus drl controller'.
There is normally a small matchbox sized control unit fitted in the engine bay fairly close to the fusebox. There is a power lead from the unit into the fuse box. I suspect the control unit is faulty.
An example is this ebay kit. It is possible to source a controller only, google 'canbus drl controller'.
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Communicator
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I have to question the highlighted statement, as in my opinion it only applies to aftermarket additions. I would expect OEM DRLs to be controlled by the BCM. (I believe my 2013 Skoda Fabia has a concealed switch which allows the DRLs to be disabled in countries where they are not required.)
When adding DRLs to my x244 Ducato, I chose to utilise the existing fog light locations, and wiring, with a couple of wiring modifications. An early failure was a reverse polarity protection diode in the control unit. Since I was only using the power supply section, I replaced the unit with 5V PSU from Ebay. No further problems. encountered.
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Sorry I presumed they were aftermarket additions and that is what I was referring to. I believe DRL's were not OE equipment on the Fiat Ducato X250 so the Op's ones are aftermarket additions and could possibly have been fitted by Autotrail as I remember seeing them on some of their new X250 models. I expect MohalkBen will return shortly to let us know.
As stated in my first post, no factory DRLs were available in the x250, they arrived in the 2014 lifting only (x290) and were located in the main headlight (first as a classic tungstene bulb, then replaced with a LED strip on the bottom). Those ones on the photo posted by the OP are aftermarket DRL installed by Autotrail in the space in the bumper when normally SEVEL installed fog lights as a paid option.
There must be an external box (could look like a standard relay) to control them.
I'd check for bad connections first. Especially (but not only) on the LED housing. The location is very likely to be heavily sprinkled with water from the wheels when driving during the rain.
You can also call Autotrail for instructions were the control unit should be located.
There must be an external box (could look like a standard relay) to control them.
I'd check for bad connections first. Especially (but not only) on the LED housing. The location is very likely to be heavily sprinkled with water from the wheels when driving during the rain.
You can also call Autotrail for instructions were the control unit should be located.
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Communicator
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Sorry, I stand corrected. Somehow missed the 2011 bit, and its in large print in the heading!
Thanks everyone for your information and advice, I will contact Autotrail and also investigate the wiring for damage/corrosion. I am away in the motorhome at present so may take a while, but I will report back. Thanks again
Update, so I contacted Autotrail but they referred me to Fiat as they said it was a chassis issue. Upon further inspection it certainly looks like these lights are definitely aftermarket DLR lights as they have been siliconed into the round cutouts. They also appear to be wired into the near-side front light. They are now not working at all (before I took a look 
). I think I'll rewire them with a proper relay. Thanks for all the comments and help. 
). I think I'll rewire them with a proper relay. Thanks for all the comments and help. This is the wire which senses headlights are on which lowers the DRL brightness .
As for now not working at all the power is normally picked up via a piggy back fitted with a fuse in the engine fuse box. Perhaps you blew the fuse?
My guess is they are a standard Ledcom kit. They are not expensive and easy to fit although you may possibly only need a replacement control module.
Day Running Lights Kit DRL Fiat Ducato Van Motorhome 2007 to 2014 | eBay
They are a high quality fully customised kit, assembled in the UK and tailor made for these vehicles. They are 100% compatible with the vehicle's canbus wiring system. From February 2011 they are compulsory on all newly type approved cars and light vans - so fitting them to your pre 2011 vehicle...
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The DRL should switch completely off when the headlights turn on.
The question is the mounting. Originally there's no mount except two bushings (?) for screws on the diagonal of the emplacement on the standard bumper.
The mount for the original fog light fits perfectly, but fits the optional fog light. That's how it looks on the bumper.
It is quite hard to find a DRL that has the same housing as the fog light. I'm trying to do it since a year. I've seens sets dedicated to different models, but those for the x250 fit the x290 which has a completely different bumper + mounting. Laying is the mount for the x250, on top of that a part of a 'dedicated to x250' housing. I found out later it's for the x290.
That's how the original fog light looks like:
That's why Autotrail cut the whole and siliconed the DRL in place.
I've bought one and I'm planning to dismantle it and try to fit an angel type DRL inside, then glue it back. If it works, I'll buy another one and fit those on the van. Another option is to use the housing, get rid of the fog light and install a smaller DRL inside. The ideal would be to have a fog light in the bumper, as the 500 or 600 LEDs lightbar would definitely not work in the fog
Unless I'll find a set of the appropriate diameter (can't remember it and I'm away from home, so cannot mesure), which has an aluminium housing and is fitted by a big nut which screws on the DRL housing itself.
I saw lots of DRL in an U shape, which fit in the step of the bumper. But I don't like it, as it has no cover, no housing, so probably will be damaged very quickly by water and sand from the road. Although is waterproof, I've bought a similar LED for tests and submerged in a sink But it's not the same as traffic.
The question is the mounting. Originally there's no mount except two bushings (?) for screws on the diagonal of the emplacement on the standard bumper.
The mount for the original fog light fits perfectly, but fits the optional fog light. That's how it looks on the bumper.
It is quite hard to find a DRL that has the same housing as the fog light. I'm trying to do it since a year. I've seens sets dedicated to different models, but those for the x250 fit the x290 which has a completely different bumper + mounting. Laying is the mount for the x250, on top of that a part of a 'dedicated to x250' housing. I found out later it's for the x290.
That's how the original fog light looks like:
That's why Autotrail cut the whole and siliconed the DRL in place.
I've bought one and I'm planning to dismantle it and try to fit an angel type DRL inside, then glue it back. If it works, I'll buy another one and fit those on the van. Another option is to use the housing, get rid of the fog light and install a smaller DRL inside. The ideal would be to have a fog light in the bumper, as the 500 or 600 LEDs lightbar would definitely not work in the fog
Unless I'll find a set of the appropriate diameter (can't remember it and I'm away from home, so cannot mesure), which has an aluminium housing and is fitted by a big nut which screws on the DRL housing itself.
I saw lots of DRL in an U shape, which fit in the step of the bumper. But I don't like it, as it has no cover, no housing, so probably will be damaged very quickly by water and sand from the road. Although is waterproof, I've bought a similar LED for tests and submerged in a sink
But it's not the same as traffic.Many DRL's do not turn off but are dimmed when headlights are selected including my Fiat factory fitted ones which become the sidelights.
I believe you cannot have DRL's which stay at maximum brightness when dipped beam is selected and this is what the after market kits ensure. I had a 2013 Ducato with a Ledcom kit which was programmable for either DLR's dimmed or off when dipped beams were on.
Yes, but only in case it is programmed at the factory and the light unit has an appropriate homologation (dual / triple function).
Finally solved this. They are the Ledcom kit that rayc mentioning in his reply. I did some digging and found that a) these haven't really been installed well (the 12v supply has a 10a fuse and connected to the fuse box not with the piggyback fuse connector but a small spade connector pushed into one of the fuse spaces. I will look to rewire this correctly. b) the connector near the near-side light wasn't making a good connection, I've fixed it for now but I will replace this with a new "waterproof" connector. Thanks for your help all.