370Z Headlight electrical question

Zeedic · 09-27-2021, 07:33 PM

Hey all, I got a 2012 370Z Sport Touring originally from Canada so it's EU Spec (Metric dials and all that)
I had Morimoto headlights on for about 5 months, they would always be on low beam when Parking break are disengage, no matter my light stalk position.
My Z came with some unknown police radar thats no longer functional, some weird electrical wire plug to the front bumper and aftermarket stereo.
I don't know if any of these would be messing with headlights, the other member on my FB group that got the Morimoto has no issues with their (2009,2019, 2014 models)
I can't get a new one due to second hand ownership and some dumb technical difficulties. Does anyone know if Canadian car or EU car are wired different somehow?

crazy4oldcars · 09-27-2021, 07:40 PM

It's possible that the DRL mod (DRL lights on with headlights) was done, and is back feeding the headlights.
That is a worry which has kept me from doing the mod.
There are how-to's on the forum that can show you what to look for.

Kirk B.

abm89 · 09-27-2021, 07:51 PM

If I remember correctly, 2009-2012 Non NISMO (2009-2014 NISMO) Zs that were manufactured for countries that required DRLs used the low beams to fulfill that requirement. I believe the 2013+ Non NISMO (2015+ NISMO) Zs only use the dedicated DRLs now.

By default, the later model Zs with dedicated DRLs are only on when the headlights are turned off (federal vehicle regulation considering the DRLs are not focused beams).

Zeedic · 09-28-2021, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abm89

If I remember correctly, 2009-2012 Non NISMO (2009-2014 NISMO) Zs that were manufactured for countries that required DRLs used the low beams to fulfill that requirement. I believe the 2013+ Non NISMO (2015+ NISMO) Zs only use the dedicated DRLs now.

By default, the later model Zs with dedicated DRLs are only on when the headlights are turned off (federal vehicle regulation considering the DRLs are not focused beams).

So is there way to disable the low beam always on or do I have to search for the DRL mod as stated above?

Zeedic · 09-28-2021, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy4oldcars

It's possible that the DRL mod (DRL lights on with headlights) was done, and is back feeding the headlights.
That is a worry which has kept me from doing the mod.
There are how-to's on the forum that can show you what to look for.

Kirk B.

I did look at that post and didn't see any obvious fuse(s) that could be culprit

abm89 · 09-28-2021, 09:53 AM

Remove the fuse for the DRL, but you'll be out of compliance in your country. #notlegaladvice

crazy4oldcars · 09-28-2021, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeedic

So is there way to disable the low beam always on or do I have to search for the DRL mod as stated above?

The 2 are mutually exclusive. Z's either have the LED running lights, or they use the headlights as such. The 2013 cosmetic update added the LED DRL's, so your only options would be to disable the headlight DRL's (#notrecommended), or acquire the parts to swap to a more modern bumper (I don't know that this is even possible, as I never had to look into it).

Kirk B.

Zeedic · 09-28-2021, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abm89

Remove the fuse for the DRL, but you'll be out of compliance in your country. #notlegaladvice

I live in Washington not D.C. USA so it's not a big deal. Also Morimoto have DRL so i'm tryna get that to work properly

09-27-2021, 07:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Zeedic Base Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Washington Posts: 4 Drives: 2012 370Z Tour 6MT Rep Power: 4	370Z Headlight electrical question Hey all, I got a 2012 370Z Sport Touring originally from Canada so it's EU Spec (Metric dials and all that) I had Morimoto headlights on for about 5 months, they would always be on low beam when Parking break are disengage, no matter my light stalk position. My Z came with some unknown police radar thats no longer functional, some weird electrical wire plug to the front bumper and aftermarket stereo. I don't know if any of these would be messing with headlights, the other member on my FB group that got the Morimoto has no issues with their (2009,2019, 2014 models) I can't get a new one due to second hand ownership and some dumb technical difficulties. Does anyone know if Canadian car or EU car are wired different somehow?

09-27-2021, 07:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
abm89 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,307 Drives: 11 370Z \| 24 EL450 Rep Power: 64763	If I remember correctly, 2009-2012 Non NISMO (2009-2014 NISMO) Zs that were manufactured for countries that required DRLs used the low beams to fulfill that requirement. I believe the 2013+ Non NISMO (2015+ NISMO) Zs only use the dedicated DRLs now. By default, the later model Zs with dedicated DRLs are only on when the headlights are turned off (federal vehicle regulation considering the DRLs are not focused beams). JARblue and redondoaveb like this. __________________ Complete Parts List: https://github.com/abm89/ztouge-build

09-28-2021, 09:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
abm89 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,307 Drives: 11 370Z \| 24 EL450 Rep Power: 64763	Remove the fuse for the DRL, but you'll be out of compliance in your country. #notlegaladvice crazy4oldcars likes this. __________________ Complete Parts List: https://github.com/abm89/ztouge-build

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09-27-2021, 07:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
crazy4oldcars Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: SE Texas Posts: 448 Drives: '16 Nismo Tech Rep Power: 28412	It's possible that the DRL mod (DRL lights on with headlights) was done, and is back feeding the headlights. That is a worry which has kept me from doing the mod. There are how-to's on the forum that can show you what to look for. Kirk B.