Headlamps & DRLs - rant and fixes

[AlbertaRamGuy]

Ah ok. If you are interested in having the tools available to get into the settings, you need an OBDLink MX+ module, Kaodtech security gateway module and the AlfaOBD app on an android Bluetooth device.

There is also a user in this thread from Edmonton who might be able to help you out.

I'm an ipone guy but would work on my laptop correct? have ordered the Kaodtech SGW module and looking for the OBD link MX+ module right now

 

[the.tru.albertan]

I'm an ipone guy but would work on my laptop correct? have ordered the Kaodtech SGW module and looking for the OBD link MX+ module right now

The OBDlink MX+ is on amazon.ca.

You can use a laptop to get the ALfaOBD software, tho I have no experience with it on PC. I ended up getting an android tablet from walmart, the ONN android go tablet. Was CAD$100.
It more portable and I use it for all my vehicles diagnostics, Ford Fiesta, Mitsu RVR, RAM.

Also, what year and model is your ram?

 

[AlbertaRamGuy]

The OBDlink MX+ is on amazon.ca.

You can use a laptop to get the ALfaOBD software, tho I have no experience with it on PC. I ended up getting an android tablet from walmart, the ONN android go tablet. Was CAD$100.
It more portable and I use it for all my vehicles diagnostics, Ford Fiesta, Mitsu RVR, RAM.

Also, what year and model is your ram?

It Is a 2020 2500 Bighorn Sport with LED's I can def grab a cheap tablet

 

[the.tru.albertan]

It Is a 2020 2500 Bighorn Sport with LED's I can def grab a cheap tablet

Cool, mine is also a '20 2500. Did you have a read thru this thread? Lots of good info here.

 

[AlbertaRamGuy]

Nice!! Working on reading it, This Thread is amazing!!

 

[the.tru.albertan]

Nice!! Working on reading it, This Thread is amazing!!

Read it all. There are essentially two ways of doing it with the Canadian trucks.

Once into the settings, there is the option of enabling the headlights to be the American version, which gets you a toggle on the Uconnect settings 'lighting' page. Toggling it on or off turns the low beam on or off.

The other way is to just select 'none' for the DRL option which turns the low beam off. <-- This is what I did.

The two LED strip brows on each headlight is on and the low beam is off.

 

[AlbertaRamGuy]

Read it all. There are essentially two ways of doing it with the Canadian trucks.

Once into the settings, there is the option of enabling the headlights to be the American version, which gets you a toggle on the Uconnect settings 'lighting' page. Toggling it on or off turns the low beam on or off.

The other way is to just select 'none' for the DRL option which turns the low beam off. <-- This is what I did.

The two LED strip brows on each headlight is on and the low beam is off.

Did you have to take your dash apart?

 

[the.tru.albertan]

Did you have to take your dash apart?

Only the kickplate above your knees to get better access to the bus power bank to plug in the bypass harness. Comes off easy... 60 second job. Two screws on the very bottom to take out. Pull from bottom and the snaps will come out. You can just let it dangle while you plug in the bypass harness. You can take a look yourself right now at the location of the bus bank by looking up above the e-brake pedal. Gotta twist your neck or lay on your back. lol. Doable tho. Some people have modified the Kaodtech connectors to make them easy to pull out after you're done. They aren't easy to get out without modification. Trying to get your hands in there isn't a friendly thing to do.

 

[AlbertaRamGuy]

Only the kickplate above your knees to get better access to the bus power bank to plug in the bypass harness. Comes off easy... 60 second job. Two screws on the very bottom to take out. Pull from bottom and the snaps will come out. You can just let it dangle while you plug in the bypass harness. You can take a look yourself right now at the location of the bus bank by looking up above the e-brake pedal. Gotta twist your neck or lay on your back. lol. Doable tho. Some people have modified the Kaodtech connectors to make them easy to pull out after you're done. They aren't easy to get out without modification. Trying to get your hands in there isn't a friendly thing to do

Awesome, I just watched the vid on the mod and makes sense now. Cant wait to get my stuff and get this done!! Thanks for all the help!!!!!

 

[the.tru.albertan]

Awesome, I just watched the vid on the mod and makes sense now. Cant wait to get my stuff and get this done!! Thanks for all the help!!!!!

Yah it all starts making sense when you start doing it. What can get confusing is the AlfaOBD menus and what needs to be enabled.

The settings you want to switch within the AlfaOBD app is discussed on page 5 of this thread.

There's also a ton of other stuff you can change within the app but for the low beam off, this is the thread to follow. It's a great tool to have.

 

[AlbertaRamGuy]

All my stuff finally came in and I tackled it last weekend. What a great look!! Also changed the fogs to be on with the Highbeams. Thanks all who contributed to this post to make it possible for guys like me to do this!!

 

[CdnHO]

Only the kickplate above your knees to get better access to the bus power bank to plug in the bypass harness. Comes off easy... 60 second job. Two screws on the very bottom to take out. Pull from bottom and the snaps will come out. You can just let it dangle while you plug in the bypass harness. You can take a look yourself right now at the location of the bus bank by looking up above the e-brake pedal. Gotta twist your neck or lay on your back. lol. Doable tho. Some people have modified the Kaodtech connectors to make them easy to pull out after you're done. They aren't easy to get out without modification. Trying to get your hands in there isn't a friendly thing to do.

Easier to pull out the headlight switch assembly. Held in by clips. Once you have that out, the bus is right there. Way easier than trying to reach around from the bottom. I used OBD Jcan to change the DRL to turn signals on my Canadian 3500. They just drop out when the turn signal is activated. Not nearly as irritating as having the low beams on all the time.

 

[AlbertaRamGuy]

Easier to pull out the headlight switch assembly. Held in by clips. Once you have that out, the bus is right there. Way easier than trying to reach around from the bottom. I used OBD Jcan to change the DRL to turn signals on my Canadian 3500. They just drop out when the turn signal is activated. Not nearly as irritating as having the low beams on all the time.


View attachment 51807

I can definitely see how this would be easier.

 

[combine9770sts]

Does anyone know if it’s possible to simply make the accent lights brighter using Alphaobd? Or even the led headlights? Upping the voltage targets On them perhaps?

 

[G Mcpherson]

Not that I have seen.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Does anyone know if it’s possible to simply make the accent lights brighter using Alphaobd? Or even the led headlights? Upping the voltage targets On them perhaps?

Thats not how that works besides the 12v system makes only so much voltage so unless you go to a 24V system you cant up the voltage….

 

[PRS]

Thats not how that works besides the 12v system makes only so much voltage so unless you go to a 24V system you cant up the voltage….

Many LED lighting systems, including headlamps, use drivers in a “boost mode”, which runs multiple strings of LEDs on voltages exceeding 70 volts DC from a 14vdc system. It’s a function of todays LED driver technology, so he has a valid question.
Maybe @Jimmy07 can shed some light on that.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Many LED lighting systems, including headlamps, use drivers in a “boost mode”, which runs multiple strings of LEDs on voltages exceeding 70 volts DC from a 14vdc system. It’s a function of todays LED driver technology, so he has a valid question.
Maybe @Jimmy07 can shed some light on that.

That would involve step up transformers like HID balasts did they were typically 40,000Volts. That would be a large cost with almost no upside and decreased light life.

 

[Jimmy07]

There are settings in the BCM for target voltages of the various lamp locations, but it doesn’t exactly work that way. Those target voltages are for lamp locations that are configured for halogen lamps, and PWM is activated. So the target voltages refers to the duty cycle of the PWM. When configured for LED lights, there is no PWM, so the target voltages are irrelevant.