Flashing side markers, go do it NOW!

[giuliot60]

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

So you used the kit RR?

[RRoller123]

Yes, it was ok. BUT! The standard instructions supplied were for its use as DRL So I wasted a few hours installing it only to have it not do what I wanted, which was have the side markers act as turn signals, blinking IN UNISON with the bumper turn signals. (There is a video showing them blinking in alternating fashion with the bumper TS, which I believe is the effect you get with the wiring approach. I didn't like that, so I coughed up the dough for the little DSL unit.) Once I had emailed DS and complained, he responded very quickly and provided me with the proper wiring instructions to have them work as regular turn signals. He was courteous and I have no problem nor ongoing complaint with him or his product. I mounted the unit with ty-wraps to the charcoal canister on the front left fender: (It looks like the ty-wraps are too tight, but are not, just snug enough to hold the unit in place.)

[giuliot60]

Good to know RR. But I think the alternating pattern is better than no blinking, so I'm OK with that especially since I'm trying to stay on a budget.

So what does the kit come with, if you don't mind me asking?

DRL?

Thanks

[fiat218]

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'

You prolly just low in blinker fluid, it possible that could stall the car, you may want to add some,or check it level

[SLOSpider]

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?

Yes it works with the rears. I did my rears and the front is next.

[SLOSpider]

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.

Not true they still work as markers

[giuliot60]

Good to have that confirmed.

Thanks SLO

[RRoller123]

Correct, they light all the time, but blink in unison with the front bumper turn signals (using DS's unit). If I remember correctly, Stern's unit came in a small box with the cylindrical part that you see in the photo, and good long lead wires, plus instructions. It may have had connectors too, but I soldered everything, so I don't rightly remember. (DRL = daytime running lights)

[supplyguy]

I'm struggling with how this works, too. I have a 71....I think I have separate bulbs up front for parking lights and turn signals. (car is away for top install so I can't go poke around.) Would think wiring into either one of those would make the side marker behave like one or the other, and not both?

[SLOSpider]

Takes a little reading...

When the parking lights are on and the turn signal off, it grounds
throught the turn signal filament and illuminates the marker lamp.
When the turn signal flashes, it interrupts the ground and the marker
will flash. When the running lights are off, the process is reversed,
with the ground being through the filaments of the running light
circuit, and the marker will flash in sync with the turn signal instead of
alternately.
It's usually very easy to make this change, since it only requires
rerouting one wire on each side of the car.

[zachmac]

So, here I was trying to remember how to wire the front side markers to flash and I thought, hey I bet I read it on the forum. I search and sure enough, I posted it about two years ago! You know you are getting old when you search a forum for information you posted!

BTW, does anyone know where I can get a replacement bulb socket for a side marker?

[spider2081]

The very first post here from Zachmac includes a link which explains the circuit operation with lights on and off. With lights off the markers flash with the turn signals. With lights on the side markers flash alternately with the turn signals. When the turn signal is lit the side marker is off. when the turn signal is off the side marker is on. (alternately)

Yes the mod can be applied to all 4 side markers. The rear a more challenging to find correct wires.

I installed led bulbs in the side markers when I made this mod. My thought was the little current they draw would have less effect on the flasher circuit. The led bulbs are a 4 led assembly and are fairly bright.

[phaetn]

Did this today. Very simple. It took longer to identify and isolate the wires (I had to degunk them) than it did to make the actual connections.

Works great!
Video here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1974_fiat ... ed-public/

Took a bit longer on the driver side than the passenger because there was a lot of electrical tape wrapping some of the wires together. After taking it all off, I saw some singed insulation on numerous wires for both the signal and marker lights. I have always seem some burn marks on the leads for the rad fan, but now that I have seen more on other wiring I suspect my car may have had an engine fire with a previous owner. It's the only way I can explain the singed wiring on totally separate circuits. It makes sense since it's right by the hard fuel line and the carb fuel inlet. Yikes! It's why I have a fire extinguisher in the car. The car must have been repainted since then (I know it has since I can see overspray in some spots).

Anyhow, all told it was probably less than half and hour to do this, which included careful review of the wiring diagram, messy unwrapping and rewrapping of wires, and putting everything away again.

On my '74 it was simply connecting the ground from the marker (black/violet) to the pulsed power (light blue) of the turn signal. Super simple as per the Daniel Stern Lighting pdf.

I only did the fronts as I feel those are more important for intersections or if someone is parallel to the car.

Cheers,
phaetn

[spider2081]

I only did the fronts as I feel those are more important for intersections or if someone is parallel to the car.

If you don't hook up the rear everyone but you will think the rear side signals are broken. LOL
The car looks good with the side lights flashing.

Also I installed mirrors on my 81 with turn arrows in them. To me the more visible our little cars are the better.