by Brad (VQ)
vq@6mt.net
Description
I was amazed when I got this car that the side markers did not flash
at all with the turn signals. Until I saw a DIY online, I thought there
was no hope! Thanks to Chris Krikorian, I had the info, pictures and
tools neccessary for the install.
The Install Guide below causes the sidemarker to flash
with the turn signals AND turn on regularly with the parking/headlights.
Below are 2 videos of how the sidemarkers act after the install. Please
view these first to verify that this install is for you.
AVI Videos (~1.5 MB each)
After Side
Marker MOD (lights on)
After Side
Marker MOD (lights off)
Cost
About $2.00 in parts from Radio Shack, if you don't already have them.
You'll need the following wire taps and connectors (unless you want
to solder, then skip this purchase and go to town with your soldering
iron!).
Tools Required
- 10mm socket wrench
- Flat head screwdriver
- Philips screwdriver
- Wire Strippers
- Wire Crimp
- Wire taps
- 12" of 18 guage wire (black preferred)
- Tire Iron / Lug Nut Remover
- Jack
Installation
Step 1: Prep
First, I set up the laptop with wireless connection
out by the car and pulled up Chris' DIY. For those of you with printers
or REALLY good memories, you can skip this step!
Step 2: Remove Wheel
Loosen all 5 lug nuts before jacking up the car.
Once loose, you can carefully lift the car with the jack. Once the wheel
has cleared the ground (no longer touches), set the jack and fully remove
the lug nuts. CAREFULLY pull the wheel off of the axle
so you do not hit the Brembos (if equipped).
Step 3: Loosen Wheel Well Lining
Our next step is to loosen the well lining so we
can reach behind and mess with the wires. You do not need to remove
the entire wheel well lining, or even the front piece. One look at the
shear number of screws underneath the front fender will tell you why!!!
Simply, and CAREFULLY, pop out all of the plastic clips holding the
lining in place. You will need to use these to secure the lining when
complete. To remove, insert a flat head screwdriver under the head of
the plastic clip, and pop out, then remove the clip.
Step 4: Find the Wires
Here is the back of the side marker. There are
two wires that come out of it and travel up to the main lighting wire
harness. They are red and black, and are about 50% covered in electrical
tape!
On the main lighting wire harness
(look just behind the headlights, and you'll see a bunch of colored
wires) find the purple wire with a white stripe. This
is the wire you need to tap into. On the other side (drivers' side)
that wire is green with a white stripe.
Step 5: Create Wire Extension
This will make life MUCH easier. Take about
6 inches of black 18 guage wire and strip 1/4" off one end. Crimp
wire connector to that end (you do not need to strip other end).
Step 6: Make the Connections
Now it's time to put it all together. Cut
the black wire that runs from the main light wire harness to the side
marker light. Grab the portion of black wire that goes to the side marker
light. Strip 1/4" of the wire jacket and crimp on the wire extension.
The below image will help explain this in more detail.
Now, the next picture is where I got confused! By accident,
I originally tapped into the white wire. I discovered later (after it
didn't work) that I really wanted the purple wire! So
the below picture is NOT CORRECT, but is the only shot I have
of me attaching the wire tap. For those of you that have not used a
wire tap, it works like this. One side is open, so you can slide it
around a wire, this would be the wire you want to tap (purple on passenger
side, green on drivers' side). The other side has a hole that you can
slide a wire into, this would be our black wire extension. On the top
of the wire tap, you will see a metal slider with 2 small grooves in
it. Once all wires are in place, use pliers to squeeze the metal slider
down. Then you can swing the plastic cover on the wire tap closed.
Here we are tapped into the purple wire. As you can
see, there isn't much wire there to work with, so be careful, you'll
eventually get it on there!
Close-up (nice focus, eh?!?!).
Step 7: Drivers' Side
Here you can see the green wire (I've pulled
it down and away from the rest). Other then this small difference, the
install is the same on this side.
Step 8: Wrap it Up
Put the screws and clips back in and secure
the lining on both sides. Then remount the wheels and you're all set!
Enjoy your cool new safety feature! And as you can see below, your side
markers will still function in their normal fashion.
Have an install guide you'd like to share or even unformatted pictures?
Send it to editor@6mt.net.
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