Daytime Running Lights for the Honda Element SC The SC has an entirely different headlight circuit than the other Elements. The original modification will NOT work on the SC. It will work with every other Element (to date) though. This post will allow you to modify the Honda Element SC to have Daytime Running Lights, DRL just like the other Elements. This modification will do basically the same as with the other Elements - turn on the High Beam Lights at a reduced voltage totally automatically. The same basic conditions exist in this mod as the other - if the parking brake is applied the lights go out - if one desires a switch can be placed between the V3 terminal and the #1 relay to completely disable the DRL function and revert the whole thing back to normal OEM function. Please note, I do not own an Element SC, I have not done this modification to an Element SC; however, I assure you that this modification will work. If you have any questions about this mod please contact me and I will try and answer your concerns. Additionally, if you do this mod please make some pictures as this will make the whole thing easier to understand.
The Modification There are four wires that will be cut and relays inserted. Both wires for the high beam headlamps on each side will need to be cut as shown in this schematic.
The red highlights show where the four relays need to be inserted in the engine compartment. A standard SPDT automotive relay like the ones here will work great, although you may want to look at the way drivestoclimb used the automotive relays in his mod. Just make sure you're using a sealed automotive relay with both normally open and normally closed contacts. They should have these terminals: All four relays will have terminals #85 connected together and connected to a wire that will come from the cabin area. All relays will have terminal #86 connected to the chasis to form a good ground. Because of the way the low beam headlights are wired, we need to totally isolate them from the high beams to keep them from being illuminated or even partially illuminated. I saw several
methods of doing it, but6 chose this way because it seems to be a lot easier to do. The four wires that need to be cut are: Right side high beam lamp Red wire (make sure you have the high beam light) Red wire with Blue stripe Left side high beam lamp Red wire with Yellow stripe Red wire with Blue Stripe Left High Beam Start with the left high beam lamp, cut both the Red wire with the Blue stripe and the Red wire with the Yellow stripe. These should be the only two wires going to the light. Take the Red wire with the Yellow stripe that is coming from the headlight socket and connect it to the relay #5 (as shown on the schematic) terminal '30' (the common). Now, connect the Red wire with the Yellow stripe that is left to terminal # 87a of the same relay. On this same relay connect terminal #87 and #86 to ground (chassis). Take the Red wire with the Blue stripe from the headlight socket and connect it to terminal #30 of relay #4. As before, connect the wire you just cut to terminal #87a. A single wire from terminal #87 of this relay will connect to terminal #87 of relay #3 on the right site. Connect terminal #86 to the chassis and connect #85 to the same wire connected to terminal #85 on relay #5. Right High Beam Now for the right high beam lamp. Again cut both wires going to the high beam lamp, the Red wire with Blue stripe and the Red wire. Please note that the low beam headlight also has a Red wire, do not confuse the two. The high beam is the only one we want to cut. Take the Red wire that is coming from the headlight socket and connect it to the relay #2 (as shown on the schematic) terminal '30' (the common). Now, connect the Red wire that is left to terminal # 87a of the same relay. On this same relay connect terminal #87 to the power wire coming from the Under dash Fuse Relay Box's 'F" connector. (see simplified schematic) Take the Red wire with the Blue stripe from the headlight socket and connect it to terminal #30 of relay #3. As before, connect the wire you just cut to terminal #87a. A single wire from terminal #87 of this relay will connect to terminal #87 of relay #4 on the left site. Connect terminal #86 to the chassis and connect #85 to the same wire connected to terminal #85 on the other relays.
The Interior Connections The power for this mod is drawn from two locations on the Under Dash Fuse/Relay Box. The power for the 'relays' is drawn from the "V" connector pin #3 while the power for the headlights themselves is drawn from "F" connector pin #11 (red wire with a Blue stripe). This is the same circuit that the Canadian DRL draws power for the headlights. This circuit also powers the TPMS Control unit and is fused through Fuse #3. If desired, a switch can be placed between the V3 connector and Relay #1 that would give you the option of totally disabling the DRL circuit if desired. Other wise the high beam lights will come on when the SC's ignition is turned to the "RUN" position and the parking brake is NOT set. Any time the parking brake is set the DRL circuit is shut down. As with the modification posted for the other models, the DRL mod does not interfere with the normal operation of the headlight circuit, any time the headlights are turn on - be it for the 'flash-to-pass" or low/high beam operation the DRL automatically disconnects from the OEM wiring and the headlights function as originally designed. Four wires need to be connected to the Under Dash Fuse/Relay Box. the parking brake circuit needs to be spliced into "C8" the Green wire with the Orange stripe. the headlight switch needs to be spliced into "C2" the Blue wire with the red stripe. the power source, option connector "V3" the middle pin in the connector. the power source for the headlights - the Red wire with the Blue stripe "F11"
This simplified schematic shows just the wiring that this mod requires. As noted in the simplified diagram, two diodes (1N4004 or equivalent) are required for the circuit to operate properly. Make note that the anode of the diode needs to be oriented properly. If someone does this mod, please make some pictures and post.