I'm hoping a moderator will turn this into a sticky, or a tech article.

I have recieved tons of PMs on how I made a modification to my parking lights. As requested, here's a thread to read.

This parking light mod basically makes the 3rd gen parking lights function like a 4th gen's. When the parking lights are turned on, they will be super-bright, and when the blinker is activated, it will flash the light on and off.

PARTS NEEDED:
(2) SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) Relays
(2) 6 Ohm, 50 Watt Load Resistors. (I purchased mine from v-leds.com)
Approximately 20 feet of 16 or 14 AWG wire and 1/4" wire loom
Butt connectors and insulated female spade terminals
Inline fuse holder and a 20 amp fuse.

TOOLS NEEDED:
Wire strippers and Crimpers
Ground Test Light

DISCLAIMER:
It is important to read and understand all of the steps before doing this to your vehicle. Do not attempt this installation if you are unsure of anything, as this can cause damage to the vehicle's electrical system if installed improperly.
This wiring information is being provided free of charge on an "as is" basis, without any representation or warranty. It is your responsibility to verify any circuit before interfacing with it using a digital multimeter.
I assume no responsibility with regards to the accuracy or currency of this information. Proper installation in every case is and remains the responsibility of the installer. I assume no liability or responsibility resulting from improper installation, even in reliance upon this information.

Start by connecting one side of the inline fuse holder to the thick pink ignition wire coming out of the ignition switch. The ignition switch is mounted to the top of the steering column under the drivers side dash. Make sure the fuse is removed from the fuse holder. Connect the wire you have to the other side of the fuse holder, and run it under the hood, through a rubber grommet. Be sure there is no sharp metal that could eventually penetrate the insulation of the wire. Once thruough the firewall, loom the wire and run it down by your drivers side parking lamp.

There are 3 wires at the Parking Light bulb. Black is ground, Brown is Parking Lights. The 3rd wire is the Blinker output. It is a different color on each side.

--Cut the Parking light and blinker wires approximately 4 inches from the bulb socket.
--Cap off the brown parking light wire coming from the vehicle using a butt connector or crush cap.
--Connect the blinker output wire and 1 side of the load resistor to pin 85 on the relay.
--Connect the ignition output wire to pin 87A.
--Connect the parking light and blinker input wires to pin 30.
--Connect a wire to ground. attach this wire, and the other side of the load resistor to pin 86.

Your driver's side bulb is now wired up. Run a wire from one side of the car to the other and loom it. Tap this wire into the igniton output powering the drivers side. Repeat the steps above on the passenger side. Verify all connections are proper and secure. Insert 20A fuse into the inline fuse holder under the driver's side dash that you installed earlier.

Installation is now complete!

 

The schematic looks like the parking lights will come on with the key. Is this correct?

 

Yep, just like a late model 4th gen.

 

Excellent job! I'm going to do this to mine very soon.

 

very cool jimp2001 i will have to do this to my car this week. thanks for the help man.

 

No Problem

 

That's pretty cool. I'll definitely look into doing it when I have a chance. Just for reference, I don't believe Radio Shack sells SPDT relays, I think they just carry SPST (no 87A pin). Just thought I'd mention it in case anyone wants to do this mod.

 

<CENTER><B>Great info. I've been using my signal filaments as 'super markers' even before I ever saw them on any vehicle. They make a lot more sense than dorkishly bright DLR's.</B>



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<TD BGCOLOR=black WIDTH=60><B><H3><CENTER>REFUSE
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Certainly an interesting way of simplifying it. Alot less complex than 3 relays, too.

It looks like there are no 'low elements only' lit when the headlamps are on ? Just bright and off (with the signal on).

What happens to the side marker then ?
It seems like it won't alternate via the 'floating ground' like it did originally.
Do you ground the signal side of the wiring so it still works with the parking lamps ?

 

SPDT relays can be purchased at Best Buy for $15... usually there are plenty in stock and Best Buy locations tend to be easy to find The relays sold there are made by Bosch in case anyone is wondering.

 

Won't be there some problem with melting anything on the lights since the lamp will produce more heat than with just the parking lamp filament?

 

So how did it hold up in the meanwhile?

Very interrested in doing this mod during winter time.

 

Beautifully presented............great info............thanks.