Is there a way to turn the front marker lights, inside the headlight cluster, into daytime running lights? I would like put a 5 or 9 LED lamp in the socket and turn it into a daytime running light.

 

Get an LED with a focused forward projector setup, like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-CREE-XP-E-LED-25W-T10-168-194-921-Projector-Bulb-Reverse-Backup-Parking-Light-/350958276507?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51b6be4f9b&vxp=mtr
That should provide you enough visibility upfront for other idiots to see you better!

 

Great, all I need now is a way to wire them so they go on when I start the car and off when the headlights go on.

 

Why off when the headlights go on ?
You can access switched 12V at the rear of the under hood fuse block.
Just run a wire from there to the + side of the drivers side eyebrow, and from there to the passenger side one.
( you cut the existing + wire and tape it back on both lights of course )

 

Ala, I'm guessing he wants to use them as the running lights on audis and mercs, where they either turn off or dim when the headlights go on. I've seen 2 stage LEDs be used like that before, just takes some wiring and relays.

 

I like this idea but don't know how to do it. Hopefully somebody can chime in. If you re-wire them to the ignition on block, wouldn't the bulb out indicator light come on?

 

That I have no clue about, because I'm not so much into car electronics myself. Maybe Miata or Max might have an answer in this department.
All I know is that the canbus module looks for resistance on the lines, and if the resistance matches that of a w5w bulb, it will not give you a light out error.

 

Yea, measure the ohms on the old filament T10 bulb, match that with a resistor from the now unused eyebrow light plus wire to ground on each side. That way the ICM will think the old bulb is still there.

--------- old 12v to eyebrow ----------- resistor ---------> ground.
--------- switch 12v -------------------------------------------> + of new LED --------- > ground.

 

I read in another thread that you would need a 15-25 OHM resistor to keep the bulb out light from coming on.

 

Get real DTRLs, get a Canadian switch module. All lights except high beams. None of this half power low beams either.
They can see you coming and going.