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

 

[DocHolliday]

Question - I read somewhere that the 2023 Model 3 Performance has the amber turn signals in the US but the RWD does not. Has anyone else heard this? Or if you have one, can you confirm? If this is the case, would it be a simple swap of the tail light units? Thank you.

If you have a 2021 refresh or newer, it's a straight swap but without an update to the configuration your amber signals will light up with the brake lights.

 

[TXDZD]

If you have a 2021 refresh or newer, it's a straight swap but without an update to the configuration your amber signals will light up with the brake lights.

Thank you. How do I get my configuration updated? Can I ask Tesla Service to do this for me? Thanks again.

 

[bibena]

Thank you. How do I get my configuration updated? Can I ask Tesla Service to do this for me? Thanks again.

Yes, you can ask them.

 

[E90alex]

Yes, you can ask them.

You can ask. Whether they will do it or not is a different story (most likely will not).

 

[Kodz]

For those that got the their config set to Global, does the UI show the new braking configuration?

 

[terranx]

For those that got the their config set to Global, does the UI show the new braking configuration?

It does not. Even on cars that came with them from the factory.

 

[WhiteM3P-]

It does not. Even on cars that came with them from the factory.

Also, the 2020 and older are hard-coded by country code from what I understand. They can't be set to global for taillights.

 

[terranx]

Also, the 2020 and older are hard-coded by country code from what I understand. They can't be set to global for taillights.

Interesting. I guess one could set it to "EU_CN" on older cars instead to get similar behavior. Not sure if that would mess up the reverse and rear foglight configuration though.

 

[WhiteM3P-]

Interesting. I guess one could set it to "EU_CN" on older cars instead to get similar behavior. Not sure if that would mess up the reverse and rear foglight configuration though.

Mine is set to eu_cn with no change in behavior. It's almost as if that parameter on 2020 and older doesn't do anything.

 

[Recce93]

I asked the last time I was at the SC and they were not familIar but recommended I put in a mx request. Finally asked through the app to get the global setting set and their response was nope.

 

[akipal]

I asked the last time I was at the SC and they were not familIar but recommended I put in a mx request. Finally asked through the app to get the global setting set and their response was nope.

View attachment 969131

you have to through 3rd party

 

[Shmoe]

Mine is set to eu_cn with no change in behavior. It's almost as if that parameter on 2020 and older doesn't do anything.

If it matters, don't forget a 2020 is down one pin compared to later. 3 pins vs 4 which is why you need the teslogic dongle on 2020 and below.

 

[Recce93]

If it matters, don't forget a 2020 is down one pin compared to later. 3 pins vs 4 which is why you need the teslogic dongle on 2020 and below.

Thanks, tracking. I have a 23. I just need to confirm if I buy the cable and a day pass for the tool kit if I can do this myself

 

[E90alex]

Thanks, tracking. I have a 23. I just need to confirm if I buy the cable and a day pass for the tool kit if I can do this myself

Nope

 

[WhiteM3P-]

If it matters, don't forget a 2020 is down one pin compared to later. 3 pins vs 4 which is why you need the teslogic dongle on 2020 and below.

4 Pins on the 5 pin connector are present on all of them for the outter lights. You may be thinking the inner trunk lid lights 3pins vs 4pins

 

[Recce93]

4 Pins on the 5 pin connector are present on all of them for the outter lights. You may be thinking the inner trunk lid lights 3pins vs 4pins

My outers have 4 wires on the harness but the lights only have 3 pins

 

[WhiteM3P-]

My outers have 4 wires on the harness but the lights only have 3 pins

Oh, light side not harness side. You're right didn't think of that since I run the euro lights already. And adapters for now.

 

[djcrajiee]

Hello everyone, I just read through this thread to try and figure out this issue I’ve been having with my 23 US made model 3. My OEM tail lights were red with red turn signals and they both lit up when I pressed the brakes. I recently installed eagle eye tail lights from hansshow and my amber turn signals are lighting up with my brake lights.

From my understanding of reading through this thread, I can use the adapter from Nomisal and this will fix my blinker issue. Another method is to have the vehicle recoded for global. Is this correct or am I missing something? I saw a video on Reddit where someone installed the adapter from teslogic and was able to achieve the wanted results.

Also does anyone know where I can purchase this adapter? It seems to be out of stock on Amazon and teslogic website doesn’t have it anywhere. Thank you everyone!

 

[kodenco]

Hello everyone, I just read through this thread to try and figure out this issue I’ve been having with my 23 US made model 3. My OEM tail lights were red with red turn signals and they both lit up when I pressed the brakes. I recently installed eagle eye tail lights from hansshow and my amber turn signals are lighting up with my brake lights.

From my understanding of reading through this thread, I can use the adapter from Nomisal and this will fix my blinker issue. Another method is to have the vehicle recoded for global. Is this correct or am I missing something? I saw a video on Reddit where someone installed the adapter from teslogic and was able to achieve the wanted results.

Also does anyone know where I can purchase this adapter? It seems to be out of stock on Amazon and teslogic website doesn’t have it anywhere. Thank you everyone!

2023 should already be coded for global. Did you car come with the new model Y style taillights where the C part of the light acts as the brake?

EDIT: Nvm, just re-read. Yes, getting your car coded to global or buying the adaptors would work, adaptors have been sold out for quite a while though.

 

[bibena]

2023 should already be coded for global. Did you car come with the new model Y style taillights where the C part of the light acts as the brake?

EDIT: Nvm, just re-read. Yes, getting your car coded to global or buying the adaptors would work, adaptors have been sold out for quite a while though.

I was told the adapters will not work on newer build Model 3s.