Side Marker DIY Mod dilemma... [Fixed!]

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 6:42 pm

I'm hoping someone will know precisely what I did wrong [whether it's something technical or pretty simple], but I was bored today so I decided to do the side marker mod.. the one where you can get the side markers to blink with the turn signal. Anyway, so I wired everything up just as the How-To described [spliced into the right wire going into the turn signal and spliced into the black wire off the side marker bulb]. The thing is... all my shit turns on [side markers & turn signal], but for some odd reason none of my turn signal features work. I can't get them to blink nor do my hazards come on. And I'm assuming the whole wiring is linked somehow because my other turn signal/side marker doesn't blink either [the one that I didn't even touch].

So yea... they power up, but they won't blink at all... anyone know what's the dealio?

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:00 pm

When does it turn on? Are they both on all of the time, or only when your parking lights are on? Just to make sure you are doing it correctly, for each bulb, you only need to cut off one wire and use the turn signal circuit instead of the existing parking light circuit.

I think using the word "splice" is a little misleading. You splice the connection near the headlight, essentially making a "T". The other connection at the bulb you don't splice though. You cut off the existing wire, then replace it with your new one.

I think what is going on here is that you spliced into the parking light circuit at the sidemarker, so when your lights are on, your turn signals are being driven by the parking light circuit.

Its a little hard to explain, but hopefully that makes sense.

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:13 pm

I can kinda understand what you're talking about. The thing I didn't do that I should probably look for tomorrow is use quick connectors.. I instead used butt connectors. I'm probably gonna get an earful from someone who knows a lot about wiring lol, but yea... here's a gyst of what I did.

Like I said, I only tried the driver's side. When it didn't work as it was supposed to, it was too dark to try and fix it.. I was just glad my lights turned on at all. Anyway, I cut the green/orange wire and spliced the ends. Used a 14g wire and a butt connector to "tap" into it that way [maybe that's where I fucked up?]. The side marker had two wires, a yellow/black and a solid black. I seen in the picture on the How-To that the wire was tapped into the solid black so I did the same for the side marker as I did for the turn signal... *pause* alright, I think I just had some crazy revelation... I see what you're saying right now and I'm going to go see if that's the problem lmao. Wow..

I feel really dumb right now. I'll reply here in about 15 minutes if I fixed it or not lol.

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:29 pm

Alright so since I haven't done the passenger side yet [it was too cold/dark when i finished the driver's side], I believe it's in the parking light circuit like you said somehow [that is possible when considering that I haven't touched any of the wires on the passenger side, right?].

If that is the problem, I will thank you ahead of time ZeroChad lol. If not, then I guess I'll just try and figure out where I fucked up

Thanks.

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:25 pm

Alright, I obviously failed somewhere lol. I did exactly what the How-To explained, and what ZeroChad explained as far as replacing the black wire from the side marker with the new wire. Everything is still acting like before: turn signals won't blink, hazards won't work, but the lights turn on when they're supposed to.

Anyone have any ideas?

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:23 pm

Your welcome. Since I'm a year from my Elect Eng. degree I'll be the guy to

for not soldering!

I'll admit I do have a few of those connectors on my car, but I plan soldering the connections when it gets warm again. Its too freaking cold right now.

As for them not working, you overloaded the circuit. You blew one of your fuses. I think its in the box under the hood if I remember right. I did the same thing and blew mine when I installed my LED bulbs. Just make sure you undo that splice connection by the sidemarker or you'll blow it again.

Sorry I didn't get back to ya sooner.

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:32 pm

Haha, thanks. No worries on gettin back to me now.

Kind of relieved that you sound pretty confident that I blew a fuse.. I hate blown fuses >.< I was ultimately worried that my shit would catch on fire like that one guy who replied to the How-To of this.

I should solder my connections, but I'm not experienced in that area.. I got a buddy who is, but he's never really had time to help with something like that. He did solder my side mirror connections though.

Thanks again man, and congrats on only having a year left till the degree! I wish I had stayed in school... yep. Stay in school kids! Military is a bad choice, mmkay!!

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:07 pm

Alright ZeroChad, you win. It was a fuse lmao. Everything works, but I do have one question... why is it that you have to have the car on or at ACC to use your blinkers/hazards now? Was that a fault on my part?

Anyway, I have to pretty up the wires today cause... I kinda did a half-assed job... =/ Don't hate!

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:33 pm

2005.Neon.SXT wrote:Alright ZeroChad, you win. It was a fuse lmao. Everything works, but I do have one question... why is it that you have to have the car on or at ACC to use your blinkers/hazards now? Was that a fault on my part?

Anyway, I have to pretty up the wires today cause... I kinda did a half-assed job... =/ Don't hate!

Awesome! Glad you fixed it. I'm not sure about the ACC thing. I've always had to use a key for the blinkers, but my hazards will come on w/o it.