Front turn signal mod

[Jon124]

Hi guys, I just wanted to mention an easy modification I did to the front turn signals on my 81 Spider. This is to make the front side markers blink with the turn signals, note this will not work if you have LED bulbs.
Step 1 - find the ground for each front side marker and disconnect. This can be done by turning on the parking lights and then one at a time disconnecting wires from the ground pods in each front fender until the side marker goes out.
Step 2 - find the fron turn signal wires. On my car this was a light blue wire right beside the ground pod on each front corner. Other years may be different colors.
Step 3 - splice the side marker ground into the turn signal wire, this does not get connected back to ground. The wires on mine were close enough to reach without adding any extra wire.

That's all, test and you should see the following results:
- with the park lights on the side markers will be on as normal, when signaling the front signal and side marker will flash alternately.
- with the park lights off and signaling the front signal and side marker light will flash in time.

[Nanonevol]

Thanks right on time I was just considering doing this

[TStark]

Well explained

In my experience it will work with LED side marker replacements when still using regular incandescent turn signal lamps.
Can save an couple amps that way.

[RRoller123]

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/home.html

It is very much worthwhile to spend some time on Daniel Stern's site. He is quite the automotive lighting expert.

The "TECH" header will provide wiring instructions as discussed below here,

plus, he sells a small little unit that lets the front side markers flash IN UNISON with the turn signals. I installed it and have only positive things to say. Has worked flawlessly for years now.

He also provides exact cross reference part numbers to HONDA automotive bulbs, that will significantly raise the luminosity of all the marker lights. I ordered them from my local Honda dealer and put them in (they are not cheap, holy moly) but they increase the brightness of all the marker lights significantly. Very noticeable, even in daylight. Both the wiring and the bulbs are significant safety upgrades, imho, and worth the money.

Pete

[Jon124]

@ Tsark, an LED sidemarker may flash in some cases but it wouldn't work with both park lights on and off because this circuit relies on current flowing both directions based on whether the park lights are on. The side markers are 194 bulbs and take only .25A anyway so it's not a big current draw.

@RRoller I checked out that site and didn't see any Honda part numbers. Honda may have used brighter bulbs, but remember you won't get a significantly brighter incandescent bulb without largely increasing the current draw. This can stress the wiring, and possibly melt the lamp lenses and connectors that were designed for a lower wattage.

[RRoller123]

I conversed directly with Daniel Stern way back when I was doing this work on my car, and he gave me the part numbers.
The bulbs are absolutely much brighter! 40% is a good estimate from my visual observation. It also makes a big difference just cleaning out the inside of the housings, and maybe spraying with some "chrome" enamel paint if all faded or chipped in spots.

Here below is DS's exact email on the bulb topic:

"The brake lights and turn signals can be made 40% to 50%
brighter, but I can't sell you those bulbs. You can get the
required bulbs (which have nice nickel-plate bases that will
not corrode and seize in the sockets) from your local Honda
dealer.

Part number for the single-filament variety
(replacing 1141, 1156, 1073, 7508, or P21W) is


34903-SF1-A01

. Part number for the dual-filament variety
(replacing 1016, 1034, 1157, 2057, 2357, 7528, or P21/5W in
brake/tail or park/turn lights) is

34906-SL0-A01.

Don't try
to buy these bulbs in the aftermarket, and don't let the
dealer sell you anything but a genuine Stanley-made Honda
bulb; everything but the genuine Honda product is junk.
These are ultra-premium bulbs with very long lifespan,
corrosion proof nickel plate base, etc."

[baltobernie]

I've purchased items from Stern, and I agree that he is super-knowledgeable about automotive lighting. If only the knuckleheads writing the SAE specifications would heed his recommendations regarding headlamp aiming in the USA

These is a US source for specialty automotive bulbs. Here is their listing for the Honda-style 1157 bulb: http://store.candlepower.com/p3496.html These are 43 candlepower on the brake filament, vs. 32 CP of the standard bulb. The company has many other lamp products, too.

[LarryM]

I am about t order the Honda bulbs but the car is in storage. Cam anyone tell the quantity of each bulb needed. I have a 1981 FI Spider. Thanks