G-043: Blinking sidemarker DIY guide! Suitable for 3G garage?
01-24-2009, 04:54 PM
#41
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I just completed this and its pretty sweet. Great mod for $30. Have a couple questions though. I noticed when my head lights are on the blinkers and sidemarkers are not in sync. I understand this to be normal. When I turn my head lights off the blinker and markers are in sync. Is that normal of did I mess the wireing up? Also I notice when I turn my headlights off there is a noticable click or knock. I can't remember if that was there before the mod or not. Is this normal or is something wrong? Thanks for the great step by step. Time consuming but worth it. Not to hard either!!
01-24-2009, 11:31 PM
#45
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I just completed this and its pretty sweet. Great mod for $30. Have a couple questions though. I noticed when my head lights are on the blinkers and sidemarkers are not in sync. I understand this to be normal. When I turn my head lights off the blinker and markers are in sync. Is that normal of did I mess the wireing up?
thats normal headlights on.. sidemarker blinkers alternate with front & back blinkers. headlights off all blinkers blink in unison... so yes its normal dont worry about it.
02-07-2009, 06:17 PM
#51
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FINALLY, as I promised above......
I finally got around to creating a set of 10 dual diode LED switchback sidemarkers. (Each LED blinks 2 colors).
I made this first set for another forum member so I'll have to make another set for myself yet still
. Unfortunately, I don't have a complete guide yet for everyone to follow so bear with my until I make a second set.
There is however another discussion topic on the form about making these from your own LED's purchased in bulk:
I created a pair of these by taking apart ONE 30 led switchback 7443 bulb from autolumination.com (approximate cost: $30 shipped), and wired it up inside a sidemarker using my own resistor values of (2) 100 ohm connected in series for each 5 amber Amber diodes, and 68ohm per each 5 LED White LED's. Also wired up is a relay to make it all work like a normal switchback bulb...
Enjoy the pics and videos
Video of completed switchback sidemarker:
In-progress video showing difference in White LED brightness with the car off @ 12.4v and on with the car on @14.3v:
I made this first set for another forum member so I'll have to make another set for myself yet still
. Unfortunately, I don't have a complete guide yet for everyone to follow so bear with my until I make a second set.There is however another discussion topic on the form about making these from your own LED's purchased in bulk:
I created a pair of these by taking apart ONE 30 led switchback 7443 bulb from autolumination.com (approximate cost: $30 shipped), and wired it up inside a sidemarker using my own resistor values of (2) 100 ohm connected in series for each 5 amber Amber diodes, and 68ohm per each 5 LED White LED's. Also wired up is a relay to make it all work like a normal switchback bulb...
Enjoy the pics and videos
Video of completed switchback sidemarker:
In-progress video showing difference in White LED brightness with the car off @ 12.4v and on with the car on @14.3v:
Last edited by gerzand; 02-07-2009 at 06:19 PM.
02-07-2009, 08:31 PM
#53
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Yes, match up perfectly. Thats the intent
)
Last edited by gerzand; 02-07-2009 at 08:34 PM.
02-07-2009, 11:43 PM
#55
Great write up OP! My main fear was picking the wrong relays or soldering them in the wrong pattern.
I'm not too sold on the whole idea of this though.
One of the selling points of the TL is that the markers DON'T blink.....to me at least. But they are kind of bland. Just sitting there, not blinking, and stuff. Hah.
Oh, and I'm definitely against switchbacks. I bought and installed them in my truck right when V-Leds first released them. Something about the white on as driving lights looks too ricey for me. I've been debating that look for a while but it basically takes away from the TL's luxury look.
Only if something related to that electrical circuit needs to be warrantied. You would be able to try and disguise it by going back to stock. But a good technician might want to know the cause and fish around until he finds the spliced factory wiring.
It doesn't affect other stuff like your transmission.
I'm not too sold on the whole idea of this though.
One of the selling points of the TL is that the markers DON'T blink.....to me at least. But they are kind of bland. Just sitting there, not blinking, and stuff. Hah.
Oh, and I'm definitely against switchbacks. I bought and installed them in my truck right when V-Leds first released them. Something about the white on as driving lights looks too ricey for me. I've been debating that look for a while but it basically takes away from the TL's luxury look.
It doesn't affect other stuff like your transmission.
02-09-2009, 06:12 PM
#58
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thanks for the help with the mod gerzand. i did this mod yesterday and it worked great. i used tyco 12V SPDT relays that i had already. i had some #18 600v solid wire so i used that. my only question is why the second diode? it seems redundant to me, i mean for 20cents each diode i couldn't care less but i'm curious of why you say it needs 2? i don't see anything wrong with soldering a jumper wire between the two commons and then adding 1 diode. i believe these are rated at 1A 50v-1000v diodes.
i forgot to take some pics of my soldering job but i took some after it was all sealed up. i used some electrical puddy(basicaly duct seal), rubber tape, and some scotch super 33+ electrical tape. also for the diodes i used some heat shrink tubing before i sealed it. this relay package might have the tightest seal out of any electrical component in the car now!
they sure don't leave you much wire at the side markers to work with, i used butt splices(didn't have the right size ones so i just doubled up on amount of wire in the connector) for the 2 connections on the red wire, and a tap connector for the turn signal wire as well as the ground on the sidemarker. you don't need to remove the tire at all providing you can fit your paws in there. if you have the right tools and time then it would be easier to jack up the car and remove the wheel, not neccessary tho, just easier. for the turn signal connection i found it easier to work with the wires in the engine bay.
how loud are the relays you've used? my tyco's certainly aren't quiet from the outside, i'm going to see how it is in the next week or two from the inside under my normal driving conditions. if it's bad i'll have to find a maybe spray some foam insulation on it or think of something.
good diy, cheap and effective. here's some pics of mine
i forgot to take some pics of my soldering job but i took some after it was all sealed up. i used some electrical puddy(basicaly duct seal), rubber tape, and some scotch super 33+ electrical tape. also for the diodes i used some heat shrink tubing before i sealed it. this relay package might have the tightest seal out of any electrical component in the car now!
they sure don't leave you much wire at the side markers to work with, i used butt splices(didn't have the right size ones so i just doubled up on amount of wire in the connector) for the 2 connections on the red wire, and a tap connector for the turn signal wire as well as the ground on the sidemarker. you don't need to remove the tire at all providing you can fit your paws in there. if you have the right tools and time then it would be easier to jack up the car and remove the wheel, not neccessary tho, just easier. for the turn signal connection i found it easier to work with the wires in the engine bay.
how loud are the relays you've used? my tyco's certainly aren't quiet from the outside, i'm going to see how it is in the next week or two from the inside under my normal driving conditions. if it's bad i'll have to find a maybe spray some foam insulation on it or think of something.
good diy, cheap and effective. here's some pics of mine
02-10-2009, 07:23 AM
#59
02-11-2009, 12:34 PM
#64
Three Wheelin'
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It's not really my design to defend, but by the looks of it i believe the second diode was just playing it safe. The second one probably isn't really needed, but incase of component failure you definitely don't want any voltage feedback.
Yeah I agree, you don't need to take of wheels. I don't believe I said you need to did I?
Question for you regarding accessing the wires from the engine bay: Did you have to move the battery a little on the drivers side to get to the turn signal/parking light harness? And secondly, on the passengers side, how can you see what you are doing?....the harness is wayyy back there under the fender, right?
The relays I used aren't very loud, and I cant hear them from inside the car unless the windows are down. Personally tho, I don't care much about what it sounds like outside the car. If anything, I actually think it sounds cool because the "clicking" sync's up with the flashing of the lights as well as with your blinker signal indicator/clicker inside the car.
Thanks for your feedback.
Last edited by gerzand; 02-11-2009 at 12:37 PM.
02-13-2009, 10:38 AM
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when you say component failure what components do you mean? if it's the diodes failing then you're still only protected by one per "circuit". if we jumper the commons and then wire 2 diodes in series we would be protected on both by 2 diodes. right now if one diode fails then we'll could get feedback on whichever circuit that diode is on. all this would be doing is trying to perfect this design, this works perfectly right now i just don't see why 2 diodes unless they're in series after a jumper.
no you never did say to take off the wheels i was just saying for anyone out there who will be doing this mod, if they have the extra time and proper tools that it would be easier to take off the wheels. definitely not needed tho for this mod tho, only gives more room to work and does not take much extra time at all when you have the right tools to do so.
i didn't move the battery, i considered it because it was such a tight fit. what i did was from the wheel well and this is for both sides, i disconnected the turn signal harness and shoved it where i could reach it from the engine bay. i also shoved the wire i needed to connect where i could reach it from the engine bay and made sure there was lots of slack on it. then from the engine bay i grabbed both and had maybe 6 inches above the bay to work on the harness, take off the tape and plastic and then cut the excess of my wire i was adding. then tapped into the center wire and shoved it back down, from the wheel well i grabbed it and re-connected it.
no you never did say to take off the wheels i was just saying for anyone out there who will be doing this mod, if they have the extra time and proper tools that it would be easier to take off the wheels. definitely not needed tho for this mod tho, only gives more room to work and does not take much extra time at all when you have the right tools to do so.
i didn't move the battery, i considered it because it was such a tight fit. what i did was from the wheel well and this is for both sides, i disconnected the turn signal harness and shoved it where i could reach it from the engine bay. i also shoved the wire i needed to connect where i could reach it from the engine bay and made sure there was lots of slack on it. then from the engine bay i grabbed both and had maybe 6 inches above the bay to work on the harness, take off the tape and plastic and then cut the excess of my wire i was adding. then tapped into the center wire and shoved it back down, from the wheel well i grabbed it and re-connected it.
02-13-2009, 01:34 PM
#67
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You better recheck your work or throw some pictures up of your relays here so I can see what you did. Definitely disconnect them right away.
02-13-2009, 01:36 PM
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so you made up 2 for the front drivers and passenger side? or did you make up 4 for the rear 2 as well?
are you sure you tapped into the center wire at the turn signal? what happens when you turn on your hazards? what about when you turn your headlights on and then flick on a turn signal?
are you sure you tapped into the center wire at the turn signal? what happens when you turn on your hazards? what about when you turn your headlights on and then flick on a turn signal?
03-10-2009, 12:52 AM
#80
I had this wired up 3-4 years ago when i got my headlights cleared and blacked. I wanted the sides to blink because the turn signal wasnt as visible from the sides after the clearing/blacking. Wish they didnt alternate blinking though. Also kinda wish I did the rears as well.