Fellow 3G TL owners:

This past week I tackled a mod that I had been wanting to do for a while now: Blinking front Sidemarkers.

While there are some threads in the 3G garage that cover this topic, they are a bit old and dont elaborate on much of the wiring sprefic to any ONE brand of relay. So i decided to to this on a radioshack relay that "Kennedy" showed some basic pictures of in one of those threads. I do appreciate all the into provided in those threads. They have definitely helped me to do this to my own car and create this DIY guide.

This mod requires the following tools:

-medium flat head screwdriver
- medium Philips head screwdriver
-Soldering Iron
-Solder
-Wire snip/wire stripper
-flux
-(4) relays from radioshack (as shown below)
-(4) diodes from radioshack (as shown below)
-About 4 hours of labor

The diodes:



The relays:








Starting off:

Use the diagram/pictures below to purchase what you need from Radioshack and wire up 2 identical pairs of relays. Tape the relays together using eectrical tape than then wrap them in electrical tape after you are done wiring them to make them relatively water proof. I also used some "liquid" electrical tape.

One pair of relays will be used for the drivers side sidemarker and the other for the passengers side sidemarker. Make sure to give ample length to the wire which runs to the turn signal bulb harness (about 4 feet is a safe bet). The other 3 remaining wires coming from your relays can be left at about 12-14 inches long.


Diagram:


After wiring:


Waterproofed:



The installation:

We will start by removing the drivers side sidemarker. To do this, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left so that you have room to get behind the wheel.

Once you are at this point, remove the (4) philips at the bottom of the wheel well as well as a clip just above those so that the wheel lining can be pulled back. Pulling back the wheel lining can be tricky. But just be rough, you wont hurt anything. It's made of a very tough plastic.

Once the wheel lining is pulled back, put your hand up to where the sidemarker is and depress the clips on either side that have been designed to hold the sidemarker in place. The sidemarker should now fall out and have its harness attached. The diagram below explains which wires from the relays need to be wired to this.

Now, turn the wheel all the way to the right so you can access the rear portion of the headlight (and most importantly the turn signal bulb/harness). Remove the necessary screws/clips as we did for the rear of the wheel well. Once exposed, you should see the turn signal bulb housing, turn the bulb until you can remove it and use the extra slack length in the harness to tap into the bulb's center wire as described above in the diagram.

From this point onward, things should be pretty self-explanatory. Button everything up the way you found it and the sidemarkers will snap back into place.

I'll be posting a video soon as well.

Thanks!

 

Very nice man...Can't wait for the video..

 

Thanks mmade22. :-)

Heres the video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpNifFEXqUI

(it just has to be processed by their servers. should be available within a few minutes)

 

Dude thats sick! I love it gerzand!!! I wish it didnt look so difficult though because I want to do this but I think its over my head

 

That is an awesome mod! Very nice. Is there any way to make it so that the rear side marker blinks also? I am sure there is... but I haven't looked to see what might be involved.

 

Damn thats awesome!

 

I like it... I've found my next project.

Thanks.

 

hey thanks man! yeah its actaully the same porocess. Just create 2 more sets of relays for the rear sidemarker lights!

 

Is it just me of does it appear to be a difficult mod?

 

Thats why I made this guide. It's not so bad when you have a picture infront of you to go off of. You practically cant mess up. Believe me, its not over your head. Have some confidence!

 

Man I might just give it a try. I am just scared of making any major mistakes on anything with my TL. Did you have instructions on this or did you just kinda figure it out by yourself?

 

Used some other existing threads but it didnt just jump out at me. I thought it over quite a few times before making any moves. This hasnt been done that much to our TL's so I wanted to make sur I had it right.

My write-up might not be totally comprehensive with pictures of every detail of the installation, but what isnt mentioned should be pretty inherently obvious. Still though, if you have any questions please ask.

 

thanks gerzand, I've beening wanting to do this for a long time (I like that bimmer look)....it does sound a bit complicated tho. saw your vid and it looks great, the only think I think I would like better would be if the side blinkers blinked at the same time as the front blinkers....check this out

http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/d...idesignals.flv

 

I wish this was as easy as when I did it to my g35, it was a simple rewiring, but then the lights weren't leds. Good work man.

 

u can't make them blink at the same time is what i was told...

i wish it did blink at the same time also, that would be perfect..

 

Ok, so here is my challenge to you. Since you have done the sidemarker mod and made it blink, is there any way you can figure out to take apart a switchback and put it in the sidemarkers so they run white and blink amber?

 

Great DIY by the way. You have inspired me.

 

Hey man thanks,

In order to have the parking lamps turned on and get the sidemarkers to blink at the same time as the headlights and taillights, you would need a logic chip to control this because you want to keep the running light functionality (especially in night driving). The video you gave the link for is actually just that guy's sidemarkers wired up DIRECTLY to the turn signals. Therefore, his sidemarkers dont also work as running lights. They only flash. That might be an easier alternative, but you do lose some functionality from the stock setup. It's just a tradeoff in that case.

 

hahaha.... yeah I was already hot on this trail . It would make the mod totally complete IMO. definately do-able, however it might be a while until i get another set of switchbacks and sidemarkers to "carve up" since I've already spent way too much this month on the car.

 

Def doing this mod...nice winter project

 

New project:

Anyone interested in a set of Switchback sidemarkers?

They will blink amber and be white running lights to match as set of headlights that also have switchbacks installed and will blink in sync with the headlights/taillights

You supply the parts and I'll supply the time/labor.

Any takers? PM me and we might be able to work something out.

 

So these wouldnt match up with the stock lights? You need to have switchbacks for them to match up?

I ask cause of right now I have stock lights, but I am trying to get on JnC's list to get some blacked out lights with switchbacks but I don't think he has any Type S lights right now.

 

well, they would illuminate as white when your running lights are on which would not match the amber color from the stock bulbs but they would still blink in succession.

I think it would only be practical for someone who has switchbacks, IMO.

 

Yeah thats what I was thinking but I wasnt sure. I plan on getting switchbacks soon so I may be in touch with ya!

 

It looks like Voigt is the man for the inital run of Switchback Sidemarkers

 

Post up some video once its done. Can't wait to see it!

 

What is that black and white and blue thing. and where can you buy one?
thanks

 

I was hoping kennedy would chime in, I am wondering if these are in fact the same relays he used.

gerzand,is that 275 # the Radio Shack part number?

 

^ yes, if you look at his old post its the same part #. 275-0248

 

Thanks, I have one bad relay ( I believe ) in my set up,and have been wanting to replace it. I had no idea what the part # was though. I'll look this # up online and see if I can order another.

 

In post 13 it shows a mod where the markers flash with the blinkers. I understand how to make this happen but if I do this does that mean I lose the running light effect. Can I have it both ways?

 

post #18 has your answer. I gave that guy an explanation.

The short of it is that you cant have it both ways when using a single color sidemarker setup. You either bypass running lights completely and lost that functionality, but have the sidemarkers in sync when the corner lights are on or do it the way I did.

Although, you could (with alot of work) fabricate up a set of switchback sidemarkers with both amber and white led's that would be in total sync. I'm in the process of making a few sets for some forum members and another azine member just posted a video of his approach to making them as well.

 

I'd say this is probably the best thread for blinking sidemarkers. I followed the schematic drawing and hooked mines up =D

 

http://s436.photobucket.com/albums/q...t=MOV01063.flv

 

Thanks man!

Share the details! How hard was this mod in your opinion and how long did it take you? Any hiccups?

 

This mod isn't hard because I've had previous experience hooking up relays and soldering/crimping, tapping wires.
I didn't remove the tire to access under the fenders, so it was a bit tight with my hands trying to reach for the front corner signal light wire. The sun had already set and I had to go find a flashlight to finish up. I used two 30 watt relays, as seen in the picture below. The black taped up part are the two diodes.
I didn't have any problems. I just soldered up the wires and tested it. It worked with no issues.

Sidenote: I own a 04 Base and my sis picked up a 08 Base. One thing I notice while inside the 08 model, the blinkers are a lot louder than 04 models. I was changing lanes and my buddy was like "You didn't use your signals?" I said.."Yes I did, you just couldn't hear it!"...

I was thinking of making a kit to aid people who don't want to deal w/ cutting and soldering.
Overall inexpensive and safety mod =D

 

I am going to give this a run. Can you tell me what gauge wire I should use. Thanks

 

I used solid core 22 gauge.

 

gerz how much was all the "parts" from radio shack, i might try this mod when i get back to ny if i have the time, but if i dont how much would you charge to do the setup?

 

It cost me about $35 for all the miscellaneous parts. I could make you set (or anyone for that matter) for parts cost + $35 labor + 5 shipping.