From digest.v6.n191 Sat Feb 8 22:34:42 1997
From: "Brett Anderson" <bretta_at_webspan.net>
Date: Sat, 8 Feb 1997 21:15:32 -0500
Subject: Re: DRL wiring

> From: richard.southern_at_ussfo.pharmacia.se
> Date: Fri, 07 Feb 97 13:34:06 MET
> Subject: DRLs for E36
>
> I was hoping someone out there would know the answer to this...

>      

>      I just installed euro headlights on my 94 318is (US spec). The new 
>      lights are great and provide a much brighter light pattern and have
a 
>      glass cover instead of the plastic one.
>      
>      Anyhow, the new light assemblies have what is called a city light,
or 
>      by it's US name, a daytime running light - bulb in the high beam 
>      housing. To use it, I've been told to wire it to the side marker 
>      lights, but then they would only function when the side lights were 
>      turned (not really DRLs that way).
>      
>      So the question is, to which wire do I connect the DRL wire (the 
>      ground is common on the new lighting assembly, so I only need a live

>      positive that is killed when the ignition is not on)?
>      
>      Thanks in advance.
>      
>      Richard Southern
>      richard.southern_at_ussfo.pharmacia.se
>      (no I'm not from Sweden, it's where our gateway is)

>
>
Undoubtedly you will be flooded with replies telling you to turn on the ignition and find a hot wire by test light , then tap into it. DO NOT do this. Many systems in late cars run on specific resistances, tapping a second circuit into one of these lines will cause problems with the original systems.
I am not 100% sure on your car, but most BMW's use a negative trigger for the washer pump. This means the pump is supplied with full time positive when the ignition is on. I would suggest taking it from there.

Brett Anderson
Endurance BMW
Mount Kisco NY
BMW and ASE master technician