The solution to perfect turn signals on a Trans Am! (Video/pics)
05-22-2012, 03:43 PM
#1
The solution to perfect turn signals on a Trans Am! (Video/pics) .
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Switchbacks weren't good enough for me. They do not perform like I wanted them to do. I wanted WHITE running lights and an amber turn signal. I achieved my goal with one small compromise.
Custom DRL's (Daytime Running Lights)
*When the headlight switch is in the middle AKA parking lights, you can choose to have the fog lights on or not. Same when the headlights are on obviously.
*I think you are suppose to have an amber front signal legally. I wanted the white DRL's. I don't mind the white turn signal in the day and nobody else cares either...besides cops. My cheat is that I'll throw my parking lights w/o the fogs lights on so I DO have an amber front signal ONLY IF I'm using my front blinker and there is a cop in front of me. Deceptive I know, also smart!
I only have to do this during the day. Night works legally.
Sequential taillights
So lets begin with the front:
First you'll need to buy the AutoTrix front blinker kit and wire that up. http://autotrix.net/Product-Front-Blinker-Kit_3.aspx
What we're going to do is splice in a socket into the side marker light that now blinks. This new socket will be fitted into the larger running light/original turn signal housing.
2 GM sockets from Dorman # 85881. Autozone carries them for $7. *You may have to ask for it in the back*
You'll also want to get 2 amber 3157 LED lights. Not switchbacks! Pictured is a SMD styled light.
*Not pictured, but you also need 2 white 3157 LED lights
I made a template using the original hole of what to cut out with my Dremel on the top side. Be sure to place the hole about where I put mine so the 2 bulbs don't interfere with each other. ****Also take note of how the socket twists in. I wanted it to face a certain way when installed so I made sure to cut the notches out that way***
Traced it
Cut!
The plastic is thick so the new socket wouldn't twist into place. You'll need to grab a different sanding stone and notch it like so.
Here you can see the bit I used and how the socket twists in facing back.
All wired up! The new socket has 3 wires...all black. It says A, B, G. Cut off B, the middle one. The side marker has 2 wires, black and brown. The brown one goes to A and the black one to G. Simple as that. BTW, most LED lights are polarized so if it doesn't work, put it in the other way
Here's the important part. Take the new socket with the amber light and put that on the bottom in the original DRL location. The reason is it is further back behind the new hole. Now take the white DRL socket and put that on top.
You're done, enjoy!
Now for the rear lights:
Sequential Turn Signal kit # STS-3TA
http://www.webelectricproducts.com/products.htm
*Note - This kit will not work with LED lamps, only standard incandescent lamps.
"This kit is specifically designed to convert the outer tail light bulb to brake/turn/tail light operation without modifying your tail light housing or replacing sockets."
Do pretty much what they say, BUT the outside bulb is just a regular 194 bulb.
Here's my beef with that. It doesn't have a second filament to light up for starters and it's not very bright. I think I modified the wiring(I did this a while ago), but more importantly I modified the tail light housing to fit that Dorman # 85881 socket and a 3157 bulb. Now it's much brighter and lights up fully, not just the stupid square like factory.
Sticky material? I think YES!
.
.
Switchbacks weren't good enough for me. They do not perform like I wanted them to do. I wanted WHITE running lights and an amber turn signal. I achieved my goal with one small compromise.
Custom DRL's (Daytime Running Lights)
*When the headlight switch is in the middle AKA parking lights, you can choose to have the fog lights on or not. Same when the headlights are on obviously.
*I think you are suppose to have an amber front signal legally. I wanted the white DRL's. I don't mind the white turn signal in the day and nobody else cares either...besides cops. My cheat is that I'll throw my parking lights w/o the fogs lights on so I DO have an amber front signal ONLY IF I'm using my front blinker and there is a cop in front of me. Deceptive I know, also smart!
I only have to do this during the day. Night works legally.Sequential taillights
So lets begin with the front:
First you'll need to buy the AutoTrix front blinker kit and wire that up. http://autotrix.net/Product-Front-Blinker-Kit_3.aspx
What we're going to do is splice in a socket into the side marker light that now blinks. This new socket will be fitted into the larger running light/original turn signal housing.
2 GM sockets from Dorman # 85881. Autozone carries them for $7. *You may have to ask for it in the back*
You'll also want to get 2 amber 3157 LED lights. Not switchbacks! Pictured is a SMD styled light.
*Not pictured, but you also need 2 white 3157 LED lights
I made a template using the original hole of what to cut out with my Dremel on the top side. Be sure to place the hole about where I put mine so the 2 bulbs don't interfere with each other. ****Also take note of how the socket twists in. I wanted it to face a certain way when installed so I made sure to cut the notches out that way***
Traced it
Cut!
The plastic is thick so the new socket wouldn't twist into place. You'll need to grab a different sanding stone and notch it like so.
Here you can see the bit I used and how the socket twists in facing back.
All wired up! The new socket has 3 wires...all black. It says A, B, G. Cut off B, the middle one. The side marker has 2 wires, black and brown. The brown one goes to A and the black one to G. Simple as that. BTW, most LED lights are polarized so if it doesn't work, put it in the other way
Here's the important part. Take the new socket with the amber light and put that on the bottom in the original DRL location. The reason is it is further back behind the new hole. Now take the white DRL socket and put that on top.
You're done, enjoy!
Now for the rear lights:
Sequential Turn Signal kit # STS-3TA
http://www.webelectricproducts.com/products.htm
*Note - This kit will not work with LED lamps, only standard incandescent lamps.
"This kit is specifically designed to convert the outer tail light bulb to brake/turn/tail light operation without modifying your tail light housing or replacing sockets."
Do pretty much what they say, BUT the outside bulb is just a regular 194 bulb.
Here's my beef with that. It doesn't have a second filament to light up for starters and it's not very bright. I think I modified the wiring(I did this a while ago), but more importantly I modified the tail light housing to fit that Dorman # 85881 socket and a 3157 bulb. Now it's much brighter and lights up fully, not just the stupid square like factory.
Sticky material? I think YES!
Last edited by HotWhipT/A; 04-11-2013 at 02:05 AM.
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05-22-2012, 11:12 PM
#10
I did that install kit a long time ago. I wasn't doing a write up on how to install the kit. They give you instruction for that. That's all on you. It's not hard. Yes, the new socket is wired into the side amber light. You can clearly see it in my last picture.
05-23-2012, 09:48 PM
#11
Copy & Paste Moderator
Why did you have to add a new socket and bulb?
BTW, what is the song in the second video (the one with the sequential tail lights). Sounds like a remix of an older song (possible Van Halen).
BTW, what is the song in the second video (the one with the sequential tail lights). Sounds like a remix of an older song (possible Van Halen).
05-23-2012, 10:44 PM
#12
I needed a dedicated amber bulb that acts like I want it to. Switchbacks using the one original socket don't do what I want it to do.
Ideally I wanted white always and amber when I'm using the turn signal. Needless to say, I compromised a little bit. I get white blinking, amber with the parking lights(the middle which I never use), and white at night with an amber blinker. Close enough!
Music by Anno Domini Beats - Flying High
Ideally I wanted white always and amber when I'm using the turn signal. Needless to say, I compromised a little bit. I get white blinking, amber with the parking lights(the middle which I never use), and white at night with an amber blinker. Close enough!
Music by Anno Domini Beats - Flying High
WELCOME to the Club! 
05-24-2012, 11:29 AM
#18
That is the new video. Notice when the lights are on, that third light still blinks. It flashes quickly so it doesn't light up completely, but it's far better than what the kit was made to do. Using the brakes is fine as you can see. You could always get a slower relay to slow down the blinking so that it might light up more. I'll see if I can get some pics this weekend.
