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

 

[borland]

Just completed changing out ..........If you dont like working with small breakable objects hanging from your deck lid, dont do it this way. Make the converter cable .

Making the 3-to-4 pin adapters for the inner lamps makes sense when you consider that Tesla may someday use an over-the-air update that defeats the functionality of these brake/turn signal adapters. In such case, you'd need to revert back to the old Model 3 lamps.

 

[3sr+buyer]

It is strange that Tesla hasn't just unified all Model 3 and Y taillights to what is currently the Model Y taillights, since that would mean fewer different parts to deal with. Or is one less wire on each side in the Model 3 in the US enough of a cost savings against having different taillights to manage in the supply chain?

 

[SteelClouds]

Reverting back with the connectors takes a few minutes. They are far easier to work with vs the OEM connection but your point is well taken

 

[SteelClouds]

Glad everything worked out for you. Enjoy!!

Thanks for the easy transaction for buying the taillights. It made the project much easier than dealing with ebay and shipping.

 

[E90alex]

It is strange that Tesla hasn't just unified all Model 3 and Y taillights to what is currently the Model Y taillights, since that would mean fewer different parts to deal with. Or is one less wire on each side in the Model 3 in the US enough of a cost savings against having different taillights to manage in the supply chain?

The current US Model 3 already has 4 pin tail light harness for the outer lamps with one pin (brake lamp) not used. Earlier versions only had a 3 pin harness for outer lamps.

 

[patriot0331]

The current US Model 3 already has 4 pin tail light harness for the outer lamps with one pin (brake lamp) not used. Earlier versions only had a 3 pin harness for outer lamps.

That is incorrect. The 3 pin to 4 pin harnesses that were changed on later years were for the inner taillights. All model 3s have 4 pin wiring harnesses for the out tail lights, but only 3 of the pins are utilized in the US for the running, brake/turn signal (controlled by programming) and ground. The fourth pin is used for brake outside of the US and the brake/signal pin becomes just utilized for the turn signal, again that is controlled by programming.

 

[streamshadow]

Hi guys. I'm looking for a such solution on my M3.
How I can order adapters for the newer Model 3 2021/07?

 

[Fire0897]

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

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

 

[SteelClouds]

Get the 3 to 4 pin adapter off Amazon. That handles the outer lights. You need to make a converter for inners. Or remove and swap pins to a new connector

 

[streamshadow]

Get the 3 to 4 pin adapter off Amazon. That handles the outer lights. You need to make a converter for inners. Or remove and swap pins to a new connector

So I can order adapters on Amazon for older M3/MY and replace connectors on them? Blinking logic is the same?

 

[3sr+buyer]

The current US Model 3 already has 4 pin tail light harness for the outer lamps with one pin (brake lamp) not used. Earlier versions only had a 3 pin harness for outer lamps.

When did the change to the 4-pin harness occur, and is the difference then only in the taillight assembly and software that controls the taillights?

 

[E90alex]

When did the change to the 4-pin harness occur, and is the difference then only in the taillight assembly and software that controls the taillights?

Not sure exactly when the change was made but probably around the time they started European deliveries so they could standardize the wiring harnesses in production. But yes the only difference in cars that have the 4 pin outer tail light harness is the tail light assembly and software programming.

The extra pin is a dedicated brake lamp circuit that just doesn’t have anything connected to it on the tail light assembly. North American cars are programmed to use the turn signal also as brake lamp. So you could connect a European or Model Y tail light without a harness but when you hit the brakes both the outer red “C” and the amber “—“ will light up.

 

[SteelClouds]

So you could connect a European or Model Y tail light without a harness but when you hit the brakes both the outer red “C” and the amber “—“ will light up

Correct. The adapter harness “fixes” that so the blinker blinks by itself. The red tail lights do not blink with the amber indicator. I swapped the inner too because the newer lights are something like 18 watts vs 4 and are significantly brighter. If you don’t swap the inners work but seem dim to the new outside lights. That may or may not bug you. It bugged me so I swapped both.

 

[fdawg100]

@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’m a little late here but I’m looking to get these but they’re out of stock. Is there any way I can contact you outside of this forum (can’t PM here)

 

[Wtmod3]

Depends how deep you want to DIY, I've posted a solution that doesn't rely on guesswork-logic like the dongle solution. WTB Model 3 Euro tail lights

Where i can buy the adapters???

 

[streamshadow]

I bought Nomisal's adapter from Teslogic on Amazon and installed it with Alpharex taillights.
Unfortunately, one of the adapters blinks too fast, another one works as expected.
Is there a way to fix it? Or do I need a replacement?

 

[SteelClouds]

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

 

[streamshadow]

I saw some people from this thread also experiencing hyper flash. Weird that only one of adapters has hyperflash.

 

[thebestiam1]

To this day, i'm still experiencing the hyperflash on the left side of the Model Y taillights on my Model 3. This only happens when the headlights are on though. They both perform perfectly when headlights are off.

 

[streamshadow]

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