Custom bumper lights almost complete. Need help.

[frankcisco.p3d]

Hello all, my build is almost complete. I have had a mold made of the original amber side markers and replaced them with clear ones for a much cleaner appearance. (I really dislike amber)

While I had the bumper off and split the bumper lights apart I also decided to install a custom strip to replace the OEM bumper light strip.
The idea of this strip is for it to work as a DRL like the eyelid above at full brightness, dim down when lowbeams are on (again like the eyelid), and work as a turn signal. All the aesthetic work has been completed and the wiring has been merged to OEM headlight plug to be my 12v power source.

The only issue I’m having now is that when the headlight plug is connected, the power that gets drawn for the strip cuts out. When the plug is not connected the strip works as it should. I believe I need to trick LINbus into keeping a constant voltage even if there are irregularities. Can anyone chime in that may have some experience?

Here’s a picture of the clear side markers!

 

[hydro 481]

View attachment 475277 View attachment 475276 View attachment 475275 Hello all, my build is almost complete. I have had a mold made of the original amber side markers and replaced them with clear ones for a much cleaner appearance. (I really dislike amber)

While I had the bumper off and split the bumper lights apart I also decided to install a custom strip to replace the OEM bumper light strip.
The idea of this strip is for it to work as a DRL like the eyelid above at full brightness, dim down when lowbeams are on (again like the eyelid), and work as a turn signal. All the aesthetic work has been completed and the wiring has been merged to OEM headlight plug to be my 12v power source.

The only issue I’m having now is that when the headlight plug is connected, the power that gets drawn for the strip cuts out. When the plug is not connected the strip works as it should. I believe I need to trick LINbus into keeping a constant voltage even if there are irregularities. Can anyone chime in that may have some experience?

Here’s a picture of the clear side markers!

Good work! I hate amber too

 

[frankcisco.p3d]

Good work! I hate amber too

Thanks! Yeah front side pictures would bug me since it stands out noticeably on camera.

 

[XLR82XS]

PERFECT! Nicely done sir - I want.

 

[frankcisco.p3d]

PERFECT! Nicely done sir - I want.

Thank you sir! I have replied to your PM!

 

[Perscitus]

Looks great!!! I did something very similar about a year ago... but in my case I painted the amber amber over with semi gloss black paint.

 

[frankcisco.p3d]

Looks great!!! I did something very similar about a year ago... but in my case I painted the amber amber over with semi gloss black paint.

Nice! I’m doing that to my headlights this week!

 

[Perscitus]

Check this out: post 1,347
What Did You Do To Your Model 3 Today? - Tesla Owners Online

 

[frankcisco.p3d]

Check this out: post 1,347
What Did You Do To Your Model 3 Today? - Tesla Owners Online

Ive seen them. Caesar beat me to it. I was hoping to be the first to do something with the Model 3 headlights. My build will be a slight different however.

 

[frankcisco.p3d]

Here’s a side by side of the difference it makes when having the clears

 

[riversjc]

I have a question, it’s a bit off topic.

I have the SR+, and one of my biggest gripes is that they software disabled the OEM led strip you mention. My amber lights work fine however. I’m not very good with DIY stuff (especially with cars) but would it be possible to install custom LEDs that turn on whenever the amber lights turn on?

And btw your custom lights look much better!


Thanks!

 

[frankcisco.p3d]

I have a question, it’s a bit off topic.

I have the SR+, and one of my biggest gripes is that they software disabled the OEM led strip you mention. My amber lights work fine however. I’m not very good with DIY stuff (especially with cars) but would it be possible to install custom LEDs that turn on whenever the amber lights turn on?

And btw your custom lights look much better!


Thanks!

Hey, thanks! Yes if you wanted an LED strip installed to act as a parking light (like OEM) then it is possible. The amber light would be the circuit you would use to supply your 12v.

 

[XLR82XS]

Anyone know if the European models have the clear reflectors or something else non-amber?

 

[Perscitus]

Correct. They simply dont have the reflector at all.

The tricky bit is getting a hold of the fog assemblies from non US models that still meet your particular cars config (DRL bars, fogs) and at a cost effective price (OE is $300+). Most EU SCs wont sell without a VIN match.

 

[St☰v☰]

I have a question, it’s a bit off topic.

I have the SR+, and one of my biggest gripes is that they software disabled the OEM led strip you mention.

Which light is disabled?

 

[holmgang]

Anyone know if the European models have the clear reflectors or something else non-amber?

heres 1 of the many markets

 

[frankcisco.p3d]

Yeah all non-US markets simply don’t have a reflector at all. The clear reflectors are a pure one off replacement for US market vehicles.

 

[Idkorcare]

So here is a little bit of information that I figured out for the foglights by taking apart a cheap salvage one I purchased.

There are 3 wires that go into the assembly, one is ground and the other 2 take 12v to either turn on the foglight or the amber marker and led strip. On the amber wire if the voltage is lowered only 1 of the ambers 3 LEDS come on and the strip does not come on.

If they do not offer a way to turn on the fogs for SR+ soon I was going to hardwire them on at some point.

I want to know how you managed to get the foglight open without destroying it, I baked mine for awhile at 200 degrees but didnt really seem to do anything to the glue holding it together.

 

[A$APTRILL]

Can anyone confirm, if the fog lights are wired on sr+?

 

[Idkorcare]

Can anyone confirm, if the fog lights are wired on sr+?

on my 2020 SR+ the amber light comes on but thats it. As far as the actually wiring to the lights I havent check it yet but if you look at the parts catalog there is only 1 version of the fogs listed, id bet the wiring is still there as well