DRL repair
Swapped out my defective light for a new one.

A used one harvested from a Texas breakers yard.
$372.81 including tax and shipping and about an hour of my time. The one electrical connector took me a while to get off. A very simple job otherwise

Now I get to fix the old one with a replacement DRL module I got from Aliexpress. Less than $3 for the part.


Eye-patch pirate look

"New Light"

This connector for the front radar is fiddly.

Remove these

Good as new

$3 DRL module shipped from China

 

Watch those Chinese chips. I put one in each of my headlights and 3 months later both were out again.

 

I plan to keep the repaired one as a spare. Took apart the housing on it. Not the prettiest job but should be fine with a little JB weld in a few spots.

Module looks near identical to OEM. I'd not be surprised if it's the same supplier on all.
I figure at $3 I can take a chance.

 

It boggles the mind that the OEMs did not consider serviceability when engineering this for JLR :-(

 

Does the Texas breaker have a website? Thanks!

Side note, I use Erie Volvo for our Volvo and they are pretty great. https://www.erievovo.com/

 

It’s a bit ridiculous how the assembly comes together. Far more clips than needed
with the rubbery sealant. It could have been made similarly with a gasket and some clips. No major change in design. Just omit a few clips and use gasket not glue.

I suppose the trade off would then be a greater potential for leaks. A trade off I think most owners would be happy to take.

 

I just went on eBay and looked for one that was a little less than perfect. This one has a barely there scratch on the lens. If I didn’t know it was there I’d never have found it. Meant for a good price.

loads on eBay.

the replacement light looks newer and cleaner than mine. Hopefully there’s some life in the DRL module.

not worried either way.

this is a very doable repair.



Old (I popped off one of the broken LEDs by accident)

New module. Loads on Aliexpress. This was less than $3

Disassembling and reassembling.

Blessed be the JB weld

Letting my repair set.

 

All fixed and ready to go for it’s final seal.

I know, let’s remove any finger grease from the lens. Let me use that acetone.

instant cloudy lens.

im an idiot.

 

Arghhhhh.... not acetone..... isopropyl alcohol!
Good luck getting that clear.

 

it’s trash now. No buffing that out.

I need a new lens. About $90 on eBay.