Daniel Stern marker flash mod

[85crownHPP]

thats right - making our marker bulbs flash alternatly with the blinkers is as easy a 1-2-3.

1)snip the marker lights ground wires (black)
2)crimp them together along with another 5" length of wire
3)splice this into the green signal wire for the signal bulb.

DONE!!!!

In effect, this makes the two marker bulbs blink off when the bulb flashes while the marker lights are on. If the marker lights are off, the markers flash on with the signal.

It seems to be too easy, and defy what I know about electronics, but the company tech assures me its sound electronics and it sure does work.

Heres a link to their tech page on the mod, and a diagram from the page.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/markerflash/markerflash.html

[gadget73]

This is how GM does thier alternating front/side blinkers too.

[85crownHPP]

really? and to think I was considering doing this using SPTD relays to controll the blinking.

Id have NEVER guessed it could be done this way.
I plan to do the same to the rear sidemarker as well

[marquisman]

holy shit, you sir have answered my long lost question

[85crownHPP]

zounds!

now I am torn.

I just relalized that using LED bulbs will complicate things, since LEDs are diodes.

The 194 LED bulbs, if installed, will still blink off with the signal (when the parking lights are on) but they wont light up with the signal when the markers are off.

Also, If I use a 1157 LED signal bulb, this mod might not work at all, since the key to the mod is grounding the marker bulbs through the signal filament. As you could geuss, an LED doesnt have a filamnet, and Im pretty sure they wont work the same way.

I have already bought the amber 194 bulbs, so if they are bright enough to use, I can probably deal with having only have the effect (its the main effect anyway).
I guess what I will do is whenever I order red 1157 bulbs for the tail lights, I will test the mods function with that bulb in the signal socket. Who knows, maybe it will still work, but Im thinking it wont.

[Blaze86Vic]

All 4 of my brake light bulbs are LEDs, and it acts just as it did before. I'm not sure what you hope to prove by testing the rear lights, but if that is what you were going to do, then there is your answer.

[85crownHPP]

You must have skimmed over this paragraph:

Also, If I use a 1157 LED signal bulb, this mod might not work at all, since the key to the mod is grounding the marker bulbs through the signal filament. As you could geuss, an LED doesnt have a filamnet, and Im pretty sure they wont work the same way.

Your rear bulbs behave the same becuase you havent modified the blinker/marker bulb wiring

What I need to eperement with is that type of bulb (any 1157 LED bulb of that style) to see if it will behave the same as an incandescent bulb with this wiring modification.

[gadget73]

I'm thinking it probably won't because of the low current drain and the one-way flow thing.

[85crownHPP]

I have discovered that the 'flux' style Gen2 LED 194 bulbs I got will still work with reversed polarity, meaning the marker bulbs at least will still behave like the incandescent ones with this wiring modification.
This really suprized me - I wonder if the manufacturer did this just for the marker flash style application, since some cars have the markers wired like this from the factory.

Lets keep out fingers crossed for a miralce with the 1157 bulbs!!!!

[85crownHPP]

overdue update: this modification does work with the 1157 LED replacement bulbs I installed in the front. I did need to buy an electric flasher.
Wanna hear something funny? the marker lights still worked with the signal bulbs out, not installed in the sockets. no bulb. markers still blinky :confused:
i think Ill just accept it!

Also - I did this to the rear side markers as well, and didnt think that it would also make them blink off when i step on the brakes (at night, when they are on). d'oh! It might be safe elsewhere, but Im pretty sure VA state vehicle inspectors wont go for a light going out when you step on the brakes.
I can hear it now - "you got a bad ground son" then id have to explain things.. "its not bad, its modified!"

[1987LTDmasta]

i think imma go LED on my '87

[85crownHPP]

:bump: for 1990ltd and video

You can see how they all flash with the markers off at about 42 seconds

[1990LTD]

thhanks man!


- snip both black ground wires on 2 of the outermost lights, butt splice them together
- bare a centimeter or so of wire on the one i just made
- bare the same amount on the signal wire (green on d/s...don't know about p/s) for the innermost light
- connect them with another length of wire

I just keep re-checking to make sure I have everything because it sounds too simple to be as cool as it is

[87gtVIC]

You have the procedure mapped out correctly.

[1990LTD]

I left out the part where one of the bulb sockets gets broken because I'm s-m-r-t. It was old and brittle but probably would've stayed intact if I took my time.