I just put in my clear sidemarkers and realized that they don't turn on with the parking lights (or head lights). They blink with the turn signal, so they are working.

I'd like to have my side markers light when my running lights and headlights are on. Has anyone noticed this and or know what it would take to wire these to turn on with the running light and still blink with the turn signal? Am I a blockhead and missing something?

 

You can do this, but it would require a couple relays per light. One relay would be needed to change from "daytime" mode to "night" mode when the head lights are on. If in "night" mode, a second relay would be used to invert the normal function of the light from normally off to normally on. They would blink inversly from the other blinkers.

Basically, it can be done, but I don't think the result would be quite what you want. I think it would be weird having the side markers blink opposite of the others.

 

I was afraid it would be something like that. I mean something convoluted and imperfect, not about relays. I'm no genious. Hmmmm. I'll have to pull out ye ol' manual and come up with something drastic. Such a silly desire.

thanks gernby.

Anyone else with mad science ideas? DJ Qube? Modifry?

 

I think you can purchase a prefabricated relay unit. I see this from time to time on slammed civics and integras. You might do some digging on honda-tech.com

 

If all you want to do is have them come on when the running lights are on (ie, when you turn your headlight switch to the first or second click), you can wire them up in parallel with the running lights. I don't think you'll need any relays as the side lights aren't that high a wattage. Find the power wire that goes to each running light and tap into it. Run that wire to the side light on the same side of the car. Find it's hot wire and cut it. Take the cut wire that runs into the side light and splice it into the wire you just tapped from the running light. If it works, repeat for the other side.
ps. I still don't know why you'd want to do this anyway, but.............

 

I do not recommend doing this here in SoCali. It is illegal to have the sidemarkers on with your parking lights and headlights. They can only illuminate with your turn signals per the California vehicle code.

Plus it defeats the purpose of the sidemarkers. They are there so people see it when you have your blinkers on. If they are always on, they won't be as noticeable even when they do flash with the turn signals, since it is at the same brightness/intensity as they are when constantly lit.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DouglaS2000
[B]I do not recommend doing this here in SoCali.

 

You could always get a dual-filament setup, connect it with the existing turn indicator and patch into the marker light circuit.

 

Thanks people!

DouglaS2000 - That's good to know, but I'm not sure. My BMW has sidemarkers that light with the running lights, then blink with the turn signal (they actually seem to get brighter, then go back to the running light brightness, much like a brake light would on a Chevrolet). It's one light that does both, as are the front corners. On the Honda I noticed the running lights and blinkers are two separate lights, no light on the car does both. And after doing all my research, I've realized two things: first, it looks like the wiring would have to be fundamentally changed since the blinkers and parking lights are seperate, and two, (to answer xviper) I think I was just used to it from driving a european car and expected it to be the same. I found that the s2000 sidemarkers are representative of how the sidemarker generally works in Japan. I think I'll just leave well enough alone, at first I just thought it was *slightly* different, but I think the way the Honda is wired it's not worth it. They still look sweet. Oh well..... thanks for the input!

 

To correct my post and in response to your post. What I meant was that sidemarkers mounted behind the front wheel cannot be on continuously with the running lights. They can only illuminate with the turn signals.

The sidemarkers that are in front of the wheel or sidemarkers that are part of the combo turn signal/running lights are allowed to be lit continuously.