Turn on the taillights all the time.

[Danorum]

Hey Group, I have a simple question here.
Is there any way to force the car to turn on the taillights at the same time as the daytime running lights, so that the taillights are on all the time - regardless of weather and light conditions? I understand that I can just choose to drive with the headlights on all the time, but I don't want that. I just want the taillights to be on - all the time.
Can it possibly be set via an OBD II?
Best regards, Dan

 

[cornbinder89]

I know you can physically tap into the taillight circuit after the relay body control module, but you have a way to do it right at the light stalk switch.
The taillights are NOT active with DRL because in some jurisdiction it is mandated so. This is so people WILL turn on lights when needed, and not run around with the reduced light output of DRL.
I tapped into mine so I can have the taillights on when towing on a tow dolly.
I don't see why all the fuss, if you want rear lights, turn on headlights.

 

[pstarSR]

the circuit for "running lights" ( where the tail light dim is on, not active STOPPING ) would be the same circuit for headlight and tail light. you would possibly have to seperate the power and relay outputs.

like above, running the headlights wouldnt hurt anything but still achieve your results.

there could be a can message/ command that could be sent for this. but it would reference the stalk position during polling so it would turn it back off. It would require some trickery for can changes.

 

[cornbinder89]

the circuit for "running lights" ( where the tail light dim is on, not active STOPPING ) would be the same circuit for headlight and tail light. you would possibly have to seperate the power and relay outputs.

like above, running the headlights wouldnt hurt anything but still achieve your results.

there could be a can message/ command that could be sent for this. but it would reference the stalk position during polling so it would turn it back off. It would require some trickery for can changes.

The power feed for taillights is a different one to the light then the feed for stopping lights. Just as it is for bulbs. you can access this at a fuse by the 12 volt battery.
However I don't see why you would, for running the car. I did it for when the car is towed on a tow dolly, to allow the running light to be fed from the tow vehicle.

 

[AlanD]

Why do you not want to drive with headlights on all the time? I do that and think it is best. I just leave the headlight switch ON all the time and it turns off automatically when the car is turned off. It is just safer.

The trouble with daytime running lights is that people do forget to turn on the headlights until later than they should. I think they never should have started them in the first place.

When it is foggy during the day, having taillights on is helpful.

 

[countryleaf]

Why not just use the "parking" light position on the headlight stalk? I know that AlanD likes the headlights on all the time, and I'm okay with that, but there is a third option (off/parking/headlight).

 

[pstarSR]

The power feed for taillights is a different one to the light then the feed for stopping lights. Just as it is for bulbs. you can access this at a fuse by the 12 volt battery.
However I don't see why you would, for running the car. I did it for when the car is towed on a tow dolly, to allow the running light to be fed from the tow vehicle.

so you repeated what I said, and quoted me in doing so. awesome

 

[cornbinder89]

I clarified and added information on where a good place to access the taillight feeds is, sorry if that offends you.
I have actually done the modification but for different reasons, so I know how and the fact that it can be done.

 

[IAMTHESTIG]

So do you have DRL as well? I can understand taillights and DRL, but taillights but no front lights? That doesn't make sense to me.

I would like to have my taillights on when the car is "running" as well.

I already have added DRL to my Leaf by installing two relays and tapping into one of the fuses that is on when the car is on, an the other relay turns the DRL off when the headlamps turn on. And since the headlamps turn on automatically and I have the sensitivity set to lowest via LeafSpy, I never have to worry about accidentally driving when dark with DRL instead of proper headlamps.

 

[cornbinder89]

I have to ask: Why all this nonsense? Why not just turn the switch to headlights and leave it in that position?
No, I don't have DRL, but was saying it is easy to control the taillights independently, by "backfeeding" the circuit at the fuse box near the 12 volt.

 

[Chad E. Mo]

Based on the above comments, it sounds like the 12V to the DRLs can be tapped to feed the taillights, achieving the OP's goals.

As someone who's been hit from behind more than once, and someone who tows, I can appreciate wanting the taillights on whether the DRLs or the headlights are on.

 

[cornbinder89]

Fine, but just TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS, problem solved! That is what my wife does, she wants lights all the time.
I tapped into the taillights for when it is on the tow dolly, wanted the power to come from the tow vehicle, not the Leafs 12 volt in that situation. I posted how I did it in a thread about that, awhile back.