DRL not working properly

[Nooby31]

Hi,

Just picked up a set of LED 9005 bulbs to replace my halogen DRL bulbs in the 2010 Mazda 3 sedan. They come on only if I have high beams on but do not turn on like my halogen drl lights did which was all the time.

I have tried to switch the bulbs around but that has done nothing. The bulbs are 12v which is the same voltage as my original halogen bulbs.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Nooby31]

I have read somewhere I may need load resistors or some special wiring harness. Can someone confirm this? if yes where can I get them?

Thanks

[Wes08M3]

If they only work when your high beams are on that might be because it is sending 12 volts to the lights with the high beams switched on. The DRL's may not require 12v to function and therefore only 6v (for example) is sent to the lights in DRL mode.

The LED lights you purchased may ONLY function at 12 volts whereas the halogen bulbs can function at a range of voltages. This is my guess, it may not be correct. But if it is the case, load resistors won't do anything for you here. You'd likely need a capacitor.

[Nooby31]

If they only work when your high beams are on that might be because it is sending 12 volts to the lights with the high beams switched on. The DRL's may not require 12v to function and therefore only 6v (for example) is sent to the lights in DRL mode.

The LED lights you purchased may ONLY function at 12 volts whereas the halogen bulbs can function at a range of voltages. This is my guess, it may not be correct. But if it is the case, load resistors won't do anything for you here. You'd likely need a capacitor.

aww...they were advertised as plug and play so that is why I got them but oh well. So how can i confirm I need a capacitor? the bulbs are advertised as 12v and the original halogen bulbs are also 12v.

[Wes08M3]

The halogens are a 12v bulb but they don't necessarily have to run at 12v to work as a DRL. This is just my guess based on what you're saying though.

I'm not really sure of a good way to see if a capacitor would work other than to try it. But to do that, you have to tap into the factory wiring harness.

I wouldn't even bother since doing this means you now have no high beams. Not worth it in my opinion.

[Jackal]

aww...they were advertised as plug and play so that is why I got them but oh well. So how can i confirm I need a capacitor? the bulbs are advertised as 12v and the original halogen bulbs are also 12v.

Hey,
If they were advertised as plug and play and they aren't, contact where you bought them and tell them they don't work. I assume you got them online. A few have experienced what you are experiencing and sellers have resolved them with install instructions of sending them the correct drl leds.

[Nooby31]

Hey,
If they were advertised as plug and play and they aren't, contact where you bought them and tell them they don't work. I assume you got them online. A few have experienced what you are experiencing and sellers have resolved them with install instructions of sending them the correct drl leds.

well I got them from rick at g16 and I bought them because they were like 50% off. The only reason I bought these is because it is advertised as just swapping bulbs, nothing else needed.

I personally believe they are good working bulbs and I think it is something to do with polarity? I have tried to switch the bulbs from passenger to driver and vice-verse but still they only come on if high beam is on.

Is there another way of putting the bulbs into the socket that I am forgetting...?(seriously)

Oh and I was just at Canadian Tire and saw some Sylvania Silverstar zXe halogen light bulbs for $70 bucks and wondering if anyone has them and how are they? worth the money?

Thank you!

[Nooby31]

The halogens are a 12v bulb but they don't necessarily have to run at 12v to work as a DRL. This is just my guess based on what you're saying though.

I'm not really sure of a good way to see if a capacitor would work other than to try it. But to do that, you have to tap into the factory wiring harness.

I wouldn't even bother since doing this means you now have no high beams. Not worth it in my opinion.

Ya I don't want to play with the factory wiring nor do I know how to lol. It is only $30 dollar bulbs so I am not to upset about it anyways, but would like to know why they don't function properly.

[Wes08M3]

Well a 9005 is a "plug and play" bulb. You just plug it in and thats it. There shouldn't be any polarity issues with those bulbs because the connector can only go in one way.

I have H8 and 9006 plug and play LED bulbs and they work just fine. But I don't have a DRL/high beam combo.

The zXe bulbs are not worth $70 in my opinion. You can get an entire HID kit for that amount of money.

[Nooby31]

Well a 9005 is a "plug and play" bulb. You just plug it in and thats it. There shouldn't be any polarity issues with those bulbs because the connector can only go in one way.

I have H8 and 9006 plug and play LED bulbs and they work just fine. But I don't have a DRL/high beam combo.

The zXe bulbs are not worth $70 in my opinion. You can get an entire HID kit for that amount of money.

Okay thanks, I will play with the bulbs one more time before giving rick a call for a replacement.

I want an HID kit for my DRL but i heard it is not possible because of the integrated high beams. Heck I may just buy those zXe bulbs to see how they are and return them if I am not satisfied.:D

[xxSlidewaysxx]

well I got them from rick at g16 and I bought them because they were like 50% off. The only reason I bought these is because it is advertised as just swapping bulbs, nothing else needed.

I personally believe they are good working bulbs and I think it is something to do with polarity? I have tried to switch the bulbs from passenger to driver and vice-verse but still they only come on if high beam is on.

Is there another way of putting the bulbs into the socket that I am forgetting...?(seriously)

Oh and I was just at Canadian Tire and saw some Sylvania Silverstar zXe halogen light bulbs for $70 bucks and wondering if anyone has them and how are they? worth the money?

Thank you!

Rick @garage16 also sold me a motor mount that doesnt fit my car, and seems that he has no way to rectify the situation........ dont think he is very trustworthy.......

[Nooby31]

Well i have bought like two items from him in the past and no issues with them to this day. I just tried again to switch the bulbs around and still the same problem.

I will give him a call to see what he can do for me.

[Nooby31]

Will a hid kit work for my drl/high beam? Do i just need a 9005/hb3 hid kit? Will i lose my highbeam if i buy such a kit?

Thanks

[Jackal]

well I got them from rick at g16 and I bought them because they were like 50% off. The only reason I bought these is because it is advertised as just swapping bulbs, nothing else needed.

I personally believe they are good working bulbs and I think it is something to do with polarity? I have tried to switch the bulbs from passenger to driver and vice-verse but still they only come on if high beam is on.

Is there another way of putting the bulbs into the socket that I am forgetting...?(seriously)

Oh and I was just at Canadian Tire and saw some Sylvania Silverstar zXe halogen light bulbs for $70 bucks and wondering if anyone has them and how are they? worth the money?

Thank you!

Well don't get the CT ones. Most members got them from ebay a couple of years ago. The price was great. Do a search and you'll find a couple of threads on led drls for 2010, 2011. Mine are still working great. Chan7 got these and I got some froma friend.
If you want good quality ones try Corksport led drls for $50. Pricey but nice. Ask ottoyu about these.
Ask Rick if he's had any problems with these and what people did to fix it.

[Nooby31]

Okay, I was not planning on picking them up at CT anyways but just wanted a review from members who have them. I was planning on getting the Corksport kit but it is only for Mazda's with separate drl lights and high beams which mine are not.

I plan on calling Rick tomorrow to get a refund or credit towards something else hopefully.

[Nooby31]

Update:

Went and exchanged the bulbs with some Euro light bulbs which work great. Rick was very friendly and understanding and the transaction went through effortlessly.