Tail Light Retrofit- AMBER turn signal

One thing I've always hated about my 3 was how they use the Brake light as the turn signal. I'm a big believer in a dedicated color(amber) for turn signal. Unfortunately a lot of manufactures are going away from that in favor for the brake/turn combo. Maybe it's cost savings.IDK, but I am out to change that.

I started looking into just purchasing the European model 3 Tail lights which have an amber turn signal factory(its required by law over seas to have a orange signal). The problem I ran into was the US spec cars are programmed to use the brake AS the turn signal. Which means than even if I got a European lamp, i would still need to find a way to change the computer system to flash a dedicated output for the turn signal.

So I purchased a set of stock tail lights and cut them apart. While inside I painted the chrome black which gave i a much cleaner look. Then I retrofitted a 3" Diode dynamics HD amber LED strip where the OEM reverse was. For the reverse, I retrofitted a 3" white LED strip right next to it(inner). The wiring was a bit tricky as I had to tap off the 3rd brake light for dedicated "BRAKE" then the front camera side markers for a dedicated "TURN" signal. Overall worked pretty well!

In the trunk, pass side there's a harness. Blue wire is 3rd brake light which is where I tapped off.

Running the turn wires through the trunk boot. fun stuff

here's a video showing the functions. They might look dim, but its out in direct sunlight. I assure you they are bright
Also you may notice they are hyperflashing because the car isn't seeing any load(i disconnected the stock brake/turn wire) I left them as is, but if it get annoying I will throw a resistor in there.

Also Decided to do blackout headlight, and AMBER DRL mod

 

[thebestiam1]

So the "updated" version doesn't fix the problem?
Mine hyperflashes also on the left side.

Not at all. Only fixed where it would hyperflash when headlights are off. Still waiting for an true fix.

 

[Sudz21]

@thebestiam1
Package with updated adapter versions for left side have been sent to prep center. And will be shipped to "lucky ones" with this problem from there. Should take about a week I think.

I would love to buy these. I see they aren’t available on Amazon. Anyway you can let me know how I might be able to get some of these for my 19 M3?

 

[Fpbenz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1590432102255935488

Wonder if they’ll offer a retro fit if one wanted to pay for it

Will retrofitting be required? Just took delivery of a 2023 SR

 

[Fpbenz]

Mine work perfectly with the OEM Y taillights. I have the same adapters. Something odd about the 3rd party tail lights?

Wait, so I can just look for OEM Y taillights and install them on my SR 3? Sorry for all the newb questions

 

[jjrandorin]

Wait, so I can just look for OEM Y taillights and install them on my SR 3? Sorry for all the newb questions

I think if it was that simple, there wouldnt be a thirteen page thread.

 

[WhiteM3P-]

Will retrofitting be required? Just took delivery of a 2023 SR

2023 have MY taillights from what I've seen. Though it's tesla so things can change on a whim...

 

[SteelClouds]

Wait, so I can just look for OEM Y taillights and install them on my SR 3? Sorry for all the newb questions

Kinda of sorta . The Y taillights with the amber turn indicator do fit just fine on the M3.. I have 2022 lights on my 2019 M3. But, there are differences in the wiring on both the inner and outer. If you look at the connectors, the older lights were 3 pin plugs.. the new ones are four. You can easily make an adapter but then the amber lights go on with the brake lights. To get them to work properly, you need an adapter OR to hardwire them. The inners are also 3 pin to 4 pin but those a simple adapter OR just pull the pins from the 3 pin and install them into a new 4 pin plug which is what I did. The short cable adapter is recommended if you dont like messing with small delicate things like pins. The parts are easily ordered and it takes just a few mins to make up each one. The inners are NOT required but they are brighter than the older lights.. something like 18 watts vs 4 or so.. I forget the exact numbers. The outside light adapter is the real trick for clean job of it. Some made their own and one was being sold on Amazon. You can find who in the threads. I dont see them sold any more so you may need to ping directly and find out when or if they will make more. I've been very happy with my adapters and they took 15 mins to install.

 

[kjww]

Wait, so I can just look for OEM Y taillights and install them on my SR 3? Sorry for all the newb questions

Absolutely yes, this is what I did to my 2019 model 3 SR+

 

[Fpbenz]

Absolutely yes, this is what I did to my 2019 model 3 SR+

Nice! Was it just plug in?

 

[kjww]

Nice! Was it just plug in?

Basically yes. I am betting the tail light connectors of your 2023 SR are 4-pin, is that right? If so, you don't need any adapters to make it work.

 

[E90alex]

Basically yes. I am betting the tail light connectors of your 2023 SR are 4-pin, is that right? If so, you don't need any adapters to make it work.

You do need adapters to make it work correctly otherwise the amber signal will come on with the brakes. If it was just simple plug and play and 100% works this whole thread wouldn’t exist.

 

[kjww]

You do need adapters to make it work correctly otherwise the amber signal will come on with the brakes. If it was just simple plug and play and 100% works this whole thread wouldn’t exist.

My bad, I was momentarily confusing with something else. Adapters are needed.

 

[Fpbenz]

Kinda of sorta . The Y taillights with the amber turn indicator do fit just fine on the M3.. I have 2022 lights on my 2019 M3. But, there are differences in the wiring on both the inner and outer. If you look at the connectors, the older lights were 3 pin plugs.. the new ones are four. You can easily make an adapter but then the amber lights go on with the brake lights. To get them to work properly, you need an adapter OR to hardwire them. The inners are also 3 pin to 4 pin but those a simple adapter OR just pull the pins from the 3 pin and install them into a new 4 pin plug which is what I did. The short cable adapter is recommended if you dont like messing with small delicate things like pins. The parts are easily ordered and it takes just a few mins to make up each one. The inners are NOT required but they are brighter than the older lights.. something like 18 watts vs 4 or so.. I forget the exact numbers. The outside light adapter is the real trick for clean job of it. Some made their own and one was being sold on Amazon. You can find who in the threads. I dont see them sold any more so you may need to ping directly and find out when or if they will make more. I've been very happy with my adapters and they took 15 mins to install.

This sounds like a lot

 

[SteelClouds]

sounds worse than it is..

 

[Fpbenz]

sounds worse than it is..

Yeah, I’ll probably still try it. Are you running the newer “brighter” MY tails?

 

[SteelClouds]

I am. Both inner and outer lights

 

[CaliCowboy]

@Nomisal do you still plan on selling some adapters? I think you've got some potential customers who joined the thread recently including myself

 

[Shmoe]

@Nomisal do you still plan on selling some adapters? I think you've got some potential customers who joined the thread recently including myself

Second that.

 

[Hangerr]

Very interested in this for my 2021 SR+

 

[borland]

Nomisal is a resident of Moscow, RU and has been absent here for several months. Might have been mobilized.