Flashing side markers, go do it NOW!

[zachmac]

Most likely this has been posted before but if you've not done it you should go do it now; for safety sake. It makes that nice side marker in the picture above a side marker AND turn signal and it is VERY simple; 10 minutes max.

The instructions are found here: http://dsl.torque.net/images/Markerflash.pdf

Here is how simple it is on a Spider:

Go get two of those crimp on "add a wire to an existing wire" splices

Open your hood and locate the star like multi-ground wire posts toward the front of either fender. Figure out which of the connected ground wires is for the side marker. No rocket science here, just turn on the parking lights and unplug one wire at a time until the marker on that side goes out; that would be it's ground wire! Take a pair of wire cutters and cut off the connector.

Now locate right there as well the blue/black wire (harness side of connector) or light blue wire (turn signal side of connector) for your existing turn signal. Using one of the crimp on "add a wire" splices connect the ground wire for the marker to the blue turn signal wire. Tape it all up good and go repeat the process on the other side.



Your side makers will now function just like your turn signals: they will flash as turn signals with lights on or off and still act as a lit side marker when parking or head lamps are on. Go do it now!

[Ky2000]

How about a video?

[ga.spyder]

Nice easy tip.Thanks Jeff. One problem...with those extra bulbs pulling current,now my car stalls every time I put on the turn signals!!! Just kiddin'

[zachmac]

How about a video?

If you need a video then you probably need a video on how to watch a video! If you give a Moose a pancake...

[124JOE]

bump
as soon as i thaw out

[MrWampus]

Great post Jeff, thanks. I will do that for the Mistress, I think she will like it.

Any update on the sale of Luigi? Personally, I think it is a mistake to sell him and I think it would be a mistake to sell me his wheels if you don't sell him. To this day (25 years later), "Carmen" (my first spider) is still the only car I ever regretted selling.

[zachmac]

Luigi is sold (or at least I have a signed sales agreement) to a new owner from the great white North. I expect the transaction will complete this week and the transporter pick him up soon thereafter. I am sad to see him go but it is time as I have learned a lot and enjoyed owning and driving the car but it is time to discover something new.

That said I have been almost frenetic in fixing all those things I've been meaning to do over the years so the new owner has as nice and trouble free car as I can provide and as a result I am especially sad. I took the last drive yesterday (can't risk something bad now) and was mentally kicking myself for not having had the car in the condition it is in now for more of my tenure. Lesson learned: fix all that little stuff now and enjoy it all the more yourself.

[Zippy]

So you have beaten the virus "Fiatosis Spiderousis"? What are you going to do now? Do you honestly think you can stay away? Just remember the support group will be here, although we may contribute more to the illness than the cure.

[zachmac]

So you have beaten the virus "Fiatosis Spiderousis"? What are you going to do now? Do you honestly think you can stay away? Just remember the support group will be here, although we may contribute more to the illness than the cure.

I just spent the afternoon helping a friend sort out several of the issues his Spider has so I'll be lurking for some time. And you never know what orphan might find my doorstep. Basically I like to own a given model, get to know it pretty much inside out and then pass it on to a caring next owner while I go find the next unexplored car / model. I've now had two X1/9s and this Spider so maybe it is time to explore the Fiat sedans or an 850? Maybe a monster old school 500 Abarth?

[giuliot60]

Anyone know if this will also work (or tried) on the rear side marker lights?

It would seem like you could do it, or would it be overkill?

[supplyguy]

I need to know the rest of "If you give a moose a pancake......"

[giuliot60]

I need to know the rest of "If you give a moose a pancake......"

...they will eat it

Actually, I don't know the ending.

[azruss]

One major problem with this design. The side markers no long light with the headlight s and parking lights. they only light with the turn signal. The original purpose of these markers were for people to see you that are about to T-bone you.

[RRoller123]

I agree, huge safety upgrade. I did it with Daniel Stern's unit, but it can be done with just wiring too I think.

[giuliot60]

One major problem with this design. The side markers no long light with the headlight s and parking lights. they only light with the turn signal. The original purpose of these markers were for people to see you that are about to T-bone you.

From what I've read it appears that they will still act as parking lights.