My New Turn Signals Options

[Coomer]

If you look at my driver's side high-beam assembly above in the first two photos, you can see that it's lit up amber. The 1157 amber bulbs in the bottom of the assemblies now act as my turn signals.

They're plenty bright(brighter than the OEM or my custom clear turn signals), but from the side, people won't be able to see that I'm turning, seeing as how the high-beams go a few inches into the bumper. So I may have the turn signals either off all of the time except when my blinkers blink, or on all the time(when the parking lights are on), but turn off when my blinkers blink, so I get an alternating effect. I'm not too sure yet.

Also, my car has illumination on unlock/lock, so my parking lights turn on for 30 seconds or until the car starts when I unlock the car, or 10 seconds when I lock the car. Now I like having my turn signal lights illuminate when I do this, but I don't want to have them on when the headlights are on, except when they're at full power when blinking with the turn signals.

So to remedy this problem, the wire that gives a constant +12 volts to the lights when the parking lights are on is cut. Both ends that go directly to the light have wires extending them, and both wires will converge at terminal 87a of a SPDT automotive relay. Terminal 30 will be hooked up to the other cut side of the driver's side harness, while the passenger side harness has this wire taped off and tucked away in the harness. Terminal 85 goes to ground, and terminal 86 will be hooked up to the fused side of the EFI circuit. With this setup, when the ignition is off(most of the time when I lock or unlock the car, the ignition is off), the parking light wires will act as if they're connected and will illuminate. When the car is on however, the parking lights will not illuminate, solving my problem perfectly.

If any of you are interested in doing this, here is what basically needs to be done. If you guys want, I could write up a more detailed how-to article. Just let me know.

1. Take off your front bumper, aluminum reinforcement bar. Take out the turn signal bulbs and disconnect the sockets from the harnesses.

2. With the headlights still on the car, figure out exactly where you can drill a hole large enough for the turn signal to fit in. Mark these holes with a sharpie or something.

3. Take off the headlights and cut out the holes. Once the holes are cut to size, clean the dust out of the headlights. I used an air compressor with an air blowing tip(not sure what it's technically called) and shot tons of air inside the headlight's holes and around the holes for a few minutes to clear all of the dust out of there.

4. Extend the turn signal harnesses. I highly recommend soldering the connections, and wrapping the wires in split wire loom...I've got the loom, but ran out of electrical tape, so this isn't done in my photo above.

5. Mount the headlights in the holes(I didn't do this yet either...I'm waiting on my LED bulbs to come in, and then I'll fasten them in with silicone.), plug in the harnesses, put everything back together, and enjoy!

[doGGy]

Nice solution Coom

[Batman722]

Coomer, you already have trouble with cops pulling you over all the time, why give them another reason ?

other than that, nice job

[vangSTa_celica]

Awesome job Coomer!

[Tony-94]

Pretty neat.
I once did something similar (on a different car) - modifed the foglights to be used as turn signals.
As for the side visibility problem you could always fit euro style side repeaters or modify the standard ones.

[Coomer]

Thanks for the comments.

And Tony, yeah, I discussed modifying them to blink with a relay in my post above. The thing is, if I keep the car and decide to paint it, I plan to shave the sidemarkers completely...so I'm not sure what to do yet.

[chucho]

is it legal though?? I wanted to do that but thought i wouldnt be able to get a brake tag

[Fingaz]

i wouldnt see why it would be illegal. but as we all know cops would think of some crap to fine you for a mod like that

looks really good tho coomer

This post has been edited by Fingaz: Aug 26, 2004 - 10:39 PM

[Coomer]

It probably is, but hey, what's one more thing added to the list of 7 or 8 already illegal things on the car?

[fastgt]

great coom all you need now is that shark fin thing


haha im jk
nice tho...great job....btw keep the car

[Coomer]

[fastgt]

speaking of under the hood....i wonder if anyone has ever tried to make plastic coverings for the engine bay...similar to the 7th gens....hmm coom u got any ideas...if u do pm me..

[KAMiX]

That is .... weird.

Can you possibly get a short avi or animated gif with your digicam?

[macavely]

Coomer so people can see you from the side.. hook up the turns to you side markers also..nice work.. i might try this.. if i can find a place to work..

[celicarocker]

i dont see why having your turn signals in the headlight would be illegal. kinda reminds me of the new dodge neons...

[Coomer]