Disabling the DTRL on Canadian models

Disabling the DTRL

If you own a Canadian Volkswagen Fox, especially a Fox II, chances are you've got Daytime Running Lights on it. While they are useful and put there due to laws in place here in Canada, they are somewhat annoying. In a Fox, the DTRL act basically as though you had your lights on. Both the front headlights and parking lights, as well as the taillights and rear parking lights are on all of the time. All that the light switch does is enable you to turn on your high beams.

Another reason for disabling your DTRL is in order to comply with laws, if you've got fog lights and/or driving lights. I am not sure of the exact law, but there is something in Canada that states that you should not be burning your low-beams when fog lights and/or driving lights are in use. Disabling them while using your fog lamps also results in much better visibility for the driver, because the fog is not lit up like a wall right in front of you.

The procedure for disabling the DTRLs is simple. It is in fact so simple, that I am kicking myself for not trying this earlier. All you need is the light switch from an earlier Fox. Simply swap the current switch with an older one, and you're done. As simeple as that!

Here are the part numbers written on the switches themselves, in case you can't hunt one up at your local Auto Recycling Yard:

VW Fox DTRL light switch	2BV 307 941 531.2 Made in Brazil
VW Fox non-DTRL switch	2BV 307 941 531.1 Made in Brazil

I am not sure whether this makes a difference, but my non-DTRL switch is manufactured in 07/87, and my DTRL one in 06/91. The only difference visually, apart from the part number, is that the DTRL one has a pin labelled "DTRL" on the bottom, while the non-DTRL one just has an empty spot in the same place.

MINOR WARNING

This isn't anything threatenting to your Fox, but it is a minor problem. Again, this causes NO harm to anything in your car - I have been assured by the shop which installed my alarm. Here's the problem:

With the Fox I light switch in place, my alarm acts a bit differently. When turning if on or off, it used to flash all the lights once for armed, and twice for disarmed. Now it still does this, except only the lights on the left side flash, and only the parking lights, not the headlights anymore. I will be going in soon to have this looked at, so I'll post any updates on how to remedy the situation once I know.

If you are looking for one of these switches unsuccessfully, feel free to e-mail me, and I'll try to get one for you.

E-mail me with any and all comments!
Back to Adam's Home Page