Side turn signals. Has anyone done this...???

[Focus_Sh1ft]

I've done this on my sedan. With the aid of CTScott, this was cake.

One wire from the marker was designated to ground, the other split into two other wires. One went to the parking lamp wire, the other to the one that controls the turn signal. I can't remember the exact wires, I'd have to look. You're gonna need diodes (pointing toward the marker) so that the two wires don't feed each other. Also, a resistor is needed in the wire that connects to the parking lamps, otherwise when the blinkers are triggered there will be no effect (while the parking lamps are on).

I'm surprised so few people have done this, as the illuminated markers, fogs, and HIDs look sooooo slick at night

[Meteorite_Marty]

Originally Posted by Focus_Sh1ft

I've done this on my sedan. With the aid of CTScott, this was cake.

One wire from the marker was designated to ground, the other split into two other wires. One went to the parking lamp wire, the other to the one that controls the turn signal. I can't remember the exact wires, I'd have to look. You're gonna need diodes (pointing toward the marker) so that the two wires don't feed each other. Also, a resistor is needed in the wire that connects to the parking lamps, otherwise when the blinkers are triggered there will be no effect (while the parking lamps are on).

I'm surprised so few people have done this, as the illuminated markers, fogs, and HIDs look sooooo slick at night

This is exactly what I meant..... can you give more details/diagrams? Would this be simple for an auto electronics place to do, or even a handy person to do on their own.

[Focus_Sh1ft]

Originally Posted by Meteorite_Marty

This is exactly what I meant..... can you give more details/diagrams? Would this be simple for an auto electronics place to do, or even a handy person to do on their own.

In all honesty, I have very little electronics experience and pulled this off no problem. Radioshack has everything you need. I can get pictures when it's not raining, but I dunno how much they'll help considering you have a hatchback.

If I had to take a stab at it, I'd say you just need to find the negative wire in the harness connecting to the back of the marker, then do what's in the diagram. I tapped into the appropriate wires right behind the headlights. Again, I'll look and get back to you.

As for the resistors and diodes, the cheapest diodes will do. Resistors are iffy, as I never actually did this part (but know it's necessary). Play around with different values until you find one that is bright enough to satisfy you.

[Meteorite_Marty]

Thank you.

Did you confirm this works?

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by Meteorite_Marty

Thank you.

Did you confirm this works?

I wouldn't suggest doing this unless you change the side markers to LEDs.

With the stock incandescent bulbs you would need to use a 30 ohm, 1 watt resistor, and the resistor would get very warm when the lights are on.

[Focus_Sh1ft]

Originally Posted by CTScott

I wouldn't suggest doing this unless you change the side markers to LEDs.

With the stock incandescent bulbs you would need to use a 30 ohm, 1 watt resistor, and the resistor would get very warm when the lights are on.

I didn't even realize the stock ones didn't use LEDs. Like I said, I have very little electronics experience

[Meteorite_Marty]

Originally Posted by CTScott

I wouldn't suggest doing this unless you change the side markers to LEDs.

With the stock incandescent bulbs you would need to use a 30 ohm, 1 watt resistor, and the resistor would get very warm when the lights are on.

Why would they get hot? Its the same bulb as the parking lights. Again, just assuming.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by Meteorite_Marty

Why would they get hot? Its the same bulb as the parking lights. Again, just assuming.

The resistor acts as a dimmer so that you can distinguish between running light mode and flasher mode.

The resistors would get hot because of the current required to drive the 5W bulbs. The aftermarket LED side markers draw less than 100mW (1/50 of what the bulbs draw), so dimming them doesn't require sinking the power that dimming the bulbs requires.