Weird Fender DRL issue

[frnkflp]

Hello All,

I installed the Quake Fender DRL LEDs on my 2021 JLU Sahara non-LED.

I’m getting some weird behavior where the driver’s side DRL illuminates only with the lights in the Parking Lights position.

Each setting on the headlights:

Lights Off, in Drive with e-brake off - drIver side DRL doesn’t work
Parking Lights - Driver side DRL works
On - Driver side DRL doesn’t work
Auto - Driver side DRL doesn’t work

The amber side marker on the driver side matches above (only works with parking lights on). But the turn signal and hazard light on drivers side work.

All passenger side functions of the DRL work as expected.

Also, this is the second quake DRL on the driver side. I exchanged the first one but the replacement has the same issue).

Lastly there are no error messages and these are marketed to not require any flashing.

Could water ingress at the connector cause something like this (the harness connection is directly under the seam where fender meets the body)? Are there different fuses for each light setting? Could I have connected the harness backwards, is that even possible?!

I’m ready to revert back to the original halogens but curious if I should spend any more time troubleshooting this.

Many thanks.

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[Fonzilla85]

In my opinion, quake is trash. Probably be best to contact them and let them know the light failed, they should swap it out for you.

 

[BrooksC]

Since you know you have a working Quake light and body-side connector on the passenger side, to troubleshoot you could try plugging the driver's side light in on the passenger side to see if it functions correctly. This would help you narrow down if the fault is in the light or the body-side connection. I've done JL/JT fender light installs 4 times, so I know what a bummer it is to have this problem and to even think about taking that light assembly back out.

 

[frnkflp]

Since you know you have a working Quake light and body-side connector on the passenger side, to troubleshoot you could try plugging the driver's side light in on the passenger side to see if it functions correctly. This would help you narrow down if the fault is in the light or the body-side connection. I've done JL/JT fender light installs 4 times, so I know what a bummer it is to have this problem and to even think about taking that light assembly back out.

Thanks BrooksC. I will swap the lights to diagnose further. Have you ever had a problem with the body side connection? I’m wondering if water worked in there and shorted something.

The pain is freeing the folding panel that covers the light bracket from the fender mount. Do you just pull the fender away from the body like I’ve been doing, or is there some trick I’m missing?

 

[BrooksC]

I haven't had any connector problems. I did have a similar problem with my DRLs to what you're seeing. I traced it to my aftermarket rear LED tail lights that were supposed to be plug and play. I changed the tails to LED in the computer using JScan and that solved all of my weird DRL issues. Odd, I know. This was on my Sport S where I changed the flares to Rubicon with OEM LED. Tails are Amazon.

I've always completely removed the flare from the body. I've read the threads on here where guys just pop the first plastic rivet, pull the liner out and down , and then pull the flap/cover down. I haven't tried that way. I just keep tons of clips on hand and remove the flares. Did my Gladiator a few weeks ago with Morimotos and the light/flare bracket was broken on the passenger side. I'm going to have to track one down and do the whole thing again. Not looking forward to it ?

 

[frnkflp]

Many thanks again. You explain it well!

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