Ok, so I just got back from the local Cdn Tire to do the RIV inspection and because I can turn the DRL's off, they can't sign the form yet ... said they could install a module for $245 but I said I'd check elsewhere first.

So does anyone know if the car's software can disable the DRL-off button so it stays on all the time?

Thx!

Ok, so I just got back from the local Cdn Tire to do the RIV inspection and because I can turn the DRL's off, they can't sign the form yet ... said they could install a module for $245 but I said I'd check elsewhere first.

So does anyone know if the car's software can disable the DRL-off button so it stays on all the time?

Thx!

Yes they can be electronically disabled. A dealer can get the program from GM. The dealer I went to didn't get the program in time (as I was going to B.C. with the car). So they hard wired it. Next time I go back to the U.S. I think I will get it switched back.

Also if Ontario is anything like Alberta, you will have to get an out of province inspection if the vehicle has over 5000km. Could have taken it in sooner when it was still under the limit, but didn't sooooo....Cost me an extra $100 to find this out.

Thx CS ... you've been a great help to me (on the forums and via PM)! Gonna stop by tomorrow and see what they wanna charge me for that.

You wouldn't by chance know how the hard-wire trick worked would you?

Thx CS ... you've been a great help to me (on the forums and via PM)! Gonna stop by tomorrow and see what they wanna charge me for that.

You wouldn't by chance know how the hard-wire trick worked would you?

Your welcome!! Glad to help out fellow G8 owner.

No I'm not quite sure how they did it. another thing I found out was that not all dealers know how to do this. I went to a small town dealership and they acted like they had no clue on how to do this. So either they were unable or unwilling. In either case, if you find one that says they can't perform this task for you call around and find one that will.

Please oh please do not let Canadian Tire perform any modifications to your G8. Contact GM first. I would suggest calling GM customer service and see what they recommend.

I know what you mean but I thought Cdn Tire was the only RIV-authorized shop?

Regardless, they've done everything except the DRL module ... called a local dealer and they've done these before. I need to leave the car with them all day. They download the ECU code from the car, send it to GM who then changes the code and sends it back to the dealer, who then uploads the flash back to the ECU.

I wondered why they need it all day but I guess there might be a revision or 2 before it's right? Anyway, dropping it off tomorrow AM ... will report back tomorrow night.

There is a green wire from the headlamp switch

My info shows terminal "3"

to the BCM terminal "17"

circuit 306 according to Mitchell OD

This circuit grounds when you turn the headlamp switch to the left.
All you need to do is disconnect this one wire.

I have not done this to a G8 but have to many of the Caddys, Chev trucks and Corvettes that I have RIV'd at work.

Simple, quick , free , and you can return it back at any time.

Gerry

Thx Gerry ... I'll cancel the dealer visit and try that soon ... $250 is better in my pocket than GM's.

I ended up taking it to the dealer as it looked like I might have to remove part of the dash and I didn't wanna start messing with the car like that... and plus I'm in a hurry to get my plates. $230 after tax for the ECU re-programming.

Would it be possible for you to scan and post a copy of your invoice?

Sure, here it is:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2738/4463827206_5e020fd208_b.jpg

Thank you. :)

Just brought my car from the US this month. I tried the green wire trick suggested by Gerry for the DRLs. Worked great! Thanks Gerry, you saved me some cash!

Oh sure, now I find out ... seriously though, I thought about doing it but didn't wanna remove the dash area there ... got any more specifics on what you did ... not that it'll help me any lol. Thx

The whole bottom half of the dash is snap in place like lego. Just applying constant even pressure will unclip it. I double-checked Gerry's thought that grounding the green wire shut off the DRLs. I tried unsuccessfully to remove the pin holding the green wire in the connector to the light switch. I then opted for the less optimal choice of snipping the wire. Turning the light switch counter clockwise no longer affects the DRLs since it is not being grounded. When the switch is turned to the parking light position, only parking lights and no DRLs are on. The Can. Tire Tech said this was fine because the parking lights would suffice as DRLs. Is that the way the parking light position works on the Canadianized version?

...When the switch is turned to the parking light position, only parking lights and no DRLs are on. The Can. Tire Tech said this was fine because the parking lights would suffice as DRLs. Is that the way the parking light position works on the Canadianized version?
I drive into the sun going to work & going home from work.

So I use this setting a lot.

The parking lights turn on, & the DRLs turn on.

Any GM Alberta dealers doing the fed inspection? I don't want to go to crappy tire either.

Depending on where you are in Alberta, there are a number of others to choose from other than CT. Here is a link to find all available:
RIV Inspection Sites (http://www.riv.ca/RIVInspection.aspx)

I just went to Canadian Tire, and have the same problem .... u r able to turn off the DRL's
They said they can install a moduel, and relay for about $250 ...... NOT .... no way in hell, Canadian Tire is gonna touch my car.....
I called GM, they say 1-1.5 hrs to reprogram the ECU at $92/hrs ....

I'm going to go with the "cutting the green wire" option ......
The inspector at CT doesn't care what I do, as long as they can't be turned off ....

That's pretty retarded that you have to modify/pay money to fix the DRL programming. Why was this car allowed to be sold if it wouldn't pass inspection right off the car lot?

It's the Cdn law ... different than the US one and his car's a US import, soooo. I agree that's it's dumb that only because you can turn the DRL's off, it's illegal up here.

That's pretty retarded that you have to modify/pay money to fix the DRL programming. Why was this car allowed to be sold if it wouldn't pass inspection right off the car lot?


This law aplies only to Canada (since 1989), DRL's r suppose to be on all the time, and we can't have the option to turn them off. This law doesn't apply in the USA.
So, since I bought the car in the US, I have to bring it to Canadian specs, or else the won't allow me to plate the car.
All cars that r sold out of Canada, have already been modified to meet Canadian specs.

Ah. I thought they were originally sold in Canada.

I cut the green wire ..........
took me 10 minutes
free ......
car cleared RIV ..................

There is a green wire from the headlamp switch

My info shows terminal "3"

to the BCM terminal "17"

circuit 306 according to Mitchell OD

This circuit grounds when you turn the headlamp switch to the left.
All you need to do is disconnect this one wire.

I have not done this to a G8 but have to many of the Caddys, Chev trucks and Corvettes that I have RIV'd at work.

Simple, quick , free , and you can return it back at any time.

Gerry

Any chance anyone has a picture of said wire/switch???

Any chance anyone has a picture of said wire/switch???

The headlight switch is on the left side of your dash. The green wire is connected to the back of it. You have to gently pry off the lower dash panel to get back there.

http://members.shaw.ca/gjk/Clipboard01.jpg

^ Thansk, but I was hoping that someone may have snapped a picture of it when they had it apart. I was just wanting to make sure I was doing it right, and also how easy it is.

Just did this myself this week. Takes literally 2 minutes to remove dash, cut green wire (the only green one) and re-install the dash.

Sorry to threadjack, but I just did a DRL modification on my car (http://www.g8board.com/forums/showpost.php?p=584895&postcount=81), and mine stay on all the time now, but they're the bright turnsignal filiments.

Here's a youtube of mine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLn_lmFk__A

In other words... my headlight switch does not allow me to shut off these amber DRL's like factory US-spec DRL's were set up to do. I hard wired this DRL module into my wiring system and have converted my headlight DRL's to Bright Turnsignal DRL's, similar to C5/C6 vettes and 4th generation camaros and firebirds.

My question is this:

Does Canadian law outlaw or allow a DRL mod that allows the bright turnsignal filiments to become the DRL's (instead of the headlights)?

Just curious.

Like, if there are any 4th generation camaros or firebirds licensed in canada, do those cars need to be converted from the bright turnsignal DRL's to the headlight DRL's for legal use in canada? (via the ECM reprogram like posted earlier on this thread?

I'm close to the canadian border and go there a few times a year. I'm not a canadian citizen, so I'm not looking to register or license my car over there, I'll keep my NYS plates. I would think that my DRL solution isn't breaking any laws. But was curious as to what others know or believe about amber DRL's in canada.

Sorry again to threadjack.

Good question. Back in 2005 I owned a Saturn ION and the DRL's on it were the amber turn signal indicators. Whether the law in Canada changed between then and now I don't know.

My question is this:

Does Canadian law outlaw or allow a DRL mod that allows the bright turnsignal filiments to become the DRL's (instead of the headlights)?

Yes that should be okay. When you do the green wire trick, the headlights still shut off when the switch is turned to the parking lights setting. I was told this still passes as the parking lights at that point serve as DRLs. Many current Chrysler products use parking lights as DRLs in Canada.

Yes that should be okay. When you do the green wire trick, the headlights still shut off when the switch is turned to the parking lights setting. I was told this still passes as the parking lights at that point serve as DRLs. Many current Chrysler products use parking lights as DRLs in Canada.

Exactly...

Also some GMs are still using amber lights as DRLs, Uplanders and full size G-vans come to mind.

Cool.

Thanks for the confirmation, guys. I've always preferred the amber lights to the headlights... just personal preference I suppose. For me, it's easier to see in bright daylight, and gives back just a little bit to the motorcycle drivers out there who now are at a "noticed" disadvantage since everyone now has headlight DRL's.

Carry on!

NOPE, they changed the inspection rules a bit.
Park lamp or turn signals as DRL will no longer fly on imported cars to Canada unless production.
The inspection form now states only lens with "DRL" imprinted on them will be allowed.

Not Hearsay, I do RIV's . No I do not work for that chain store

That's pretty retarded that you have to modify/pay money to fix the DRL programming. Why was this car allowed to be sold if it wouldn't pass inspection right off the car lot?


The G8 wasn't sold in Canada. They obviously have different inspection laws. Sounds like a BS deal to me though.

The G8 wasn't sold in Canada. They obviously have different inspection laws. Sounds like a BS deal to me though.

Yes the 2009 G8 was sold here.
AND when sold here the DRL's are set to Canadian standards.
The laws are different, the cars are built different.
Import one from a different country, some things must be changed.

Up until a year or so ago, we had tighter bumper laws too (since been relaxed)

You could not import a (holden) GTO , new used or otherwise until last year.

Yes the 2009 G8 was sold here.
AND when sold here the DRL's are set to Canadian standards.
The laws are different, the cars are built different.
Import one from a different country, some things must be changed.

Correct. Only 2009.1 cars were officially offered as "new" in canada, with the aformentioned DRL changes as required by canada laws.

Thus, no GXP's were ever legally sold "as new" in canada, since those are all 2009.5 cars. Likewise, any 'factory bluetooth' is excluded from this as well, as that was only offered in 2009.5 models.

Interesting. My brother's GT is an American car, and it was sold to him in Canada by a GM dealer and its DRL lights can still be turned completely off. Must have been an oversight :).

It looks cool with just the parking lights and fogs on, makes me a bit jealous!

As many of us with HIDs have done, you can yank a fuse (21 if my memory serves me) to disable DRLs. I just run my parking lights as DRLs when I remember to, but I've never had any issues. It takes 2 seconds and still allows the 'auto-on' feature for low beams at night, while allowing you to control the parking, low beam and interior lights during the day. I haven't seen this mentioned in the thread yet so I figured I'd mention it.

Sweet! Does it affect anything else (i.e. is there anything else on the same circuit)?

I got lucky during my inspection.....the C tire guy made sure the lights worked....didn't really check the DRL's.

Correct. Only 2009.1 cars were officially offered as "new" in canada, with the aformentioned DRL changes as required by canada laws.

Thus, no GXP's were ever legally sold "as new" in canada, since those are all 2009.5 cars. Likewise, any 'factory bluetooth' is excluded from this as well, as that was only offered in 2009.5 models.


Rumor is that 6 GXPs were sold as new in Canada. I have confirmed at least 3.

Correct. Only 2009.1 cars were officially offered as "new" in canada, with the aformentioned DRL changes as required by canada laws.

Thus, no GXP's were ever legally sold "as new" in canada, since those are all 2009.5 cars. Likewise, any 'factory bluetooth' is excluded from this as well, as that was only offered in 2009.5 models.


Why would they sell 2009.1 cars but not 2009.5 cars in Canada? Does that include rentals as well? My ex-rental is a Canadian car but has factory bluetooth.

On this topic of differences between American and Canadian G8s, why on Earth to the Americans have "PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG" slathered across their review mirrors, while we get away with the nice little symbol? Yes, I know we need the symbol because of language laws, but then why don't the American cars use that as well? I mean, the entire dash is symbology, it's not like they need that one piece of information written out in full...

Sweet! Does it affect anything else (i.e. is there anything else on the same circuit)?
Nope, the DRL fuse is completely independant. I assume the only real difference between the US/Canadian versions is this fuse, with respect to the DRLs. Can someone with an American vehicle confirm that there is a spot for a 10A (I think) fuse in slot 21 by the left drivers foot panel?

Why would they sell 2009.1 cars but not 2009.5 cars in Canada? Does that include rentals as well? My ex-rental is a Canadian car but has factory bluetooth.

Now that is interesting, would you mind posting or PMing me the last 8 of your vin so I can double check that it is canadian?

On this topic of differences between American and Canadian G8s, why on Earth to the Americans have "PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG" slathered across their review mirrors, while we get away with the nice little symbol? Yes, I know we need the symbol because of language laws, but then why don't the American cars use that as well? I mean, the entire dash is symbology, it's not like they need that one piece of information written out in full...

GM doesn't always do things that make sense ;)

There is a green wire from the headlamp switch

My info shows terminal "3"

to the BCM terminal "17"

circuit 306 according to Mitchell OD

This circuit grounds when you turn the headlamp switch to the left.
All you need to do is disconnect this one wire.

I have not done this to a G8 but have to many of the Caddys, Chev trucks and Corvettes that I have RIV'd at work.

Simple, quick , free , and you can return it back at any time.

Gerry

Green wire trick worked just fine. Getting the plastic panel off was a bit of a challenge. Only broke one clip which is replaceable. All inspections done and now officially a Canadian G8 GXP.

That's pretty retarded that you have to modify/pay money to fix the DRL programming. Why was this car allowed to be sold if it wouldn't pass inspection right off the car lot?

Canadian regulations are that every vehicle has front lights that are on at all times. If you can turn them off you are no good. The States is still a little behind on this one and gives you the option whether you want them on or not.

GM was just following regulations for the countries the cars were destined for.