Blackline LED Taillights on Halogen - Easier wiring method

[aznbo187]

After reading all the how-to's I did it slightly different on my install.

My goals were simple:

• No special plugs/electrical pins needed.
• Operates like factory, meaning no dynamic brightness, just on as ambient lighting.
• Can buy all the stuff locally.
• No painting/blacking out any bulbs

I have a 2012 (facelift/LCI) with Halogen lights from the factory. These instructions should apply to all facelift halogen 1'ers - not sure if pre-facelift was any different, though I think this method is pretty universal.

To get to this, I tapped into the license plate lights so they stay on whenever the license plate lights turn on and don't dim/get brighter. This is fairly standard to other DIY's, the main difference is where I tapped into for the other end.

You will need:

• Inline splices (autozone/pep boys/amazon) all carry this. You can also use t-taps or your preferred splice method.
• About 10ft of 16-22gauge wiring.
• 8mm socket for removing/installing tail lights
• Phillips screwdrivers
• Flathead or flat trim tool to remove pop mounts
• Pliers
• Zip ties

Locate the wiring loom for the license plate lights.
Remove the passenger side trunk panel and on the top corner you will see a loom of wires.

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Locate the Gray/Brown wire. There are two pairs of these with the same color. I tapped twice (one for each taillight) into the slightly thicker one (the other one didn't work, no idea why).

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Route the two wires - one will go to the passenger and one will go to the driver side tail light. Leave enough slack so you can run the wires in a hidden fashion. I removed the plastic center trim panel secured by two Phillips screws. Under that there is a smaller trim piece that holds the main power wires so I remove that with a torx driver and routed the driver side wire behind it. I used Velcro wiring tape instead of zip ties.

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On each tail light, you want to locate and remove the outside corner bulb. This is the 3-pin connector that others normally modify. I didn't want to find the right pin to use in that connector so I by-passed it and spliced directly into the wire on-board the tail light.

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Locate the red wire after removing the bulb and foam seal.

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I tapped into this wire with the inline splice.

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Re-applied the foam seal.

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And test to make sure it functions before reinstalling.

Next I plan on coding out the front turn signals and rear lights so they only turn on when engaged.

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[Christianrice_]

Hey man im wondering if you did this to make the led strips works, the problem im having right now is that i have the pre face lift and the led strip is not working and im trying to find a solution

[Christianrice_]

I think i found the problem the post lci tail lights dont have these two wires but im not sure what to do about it, anyone have any idea what happened [IMG][/IMG]

[munkie]

Originally Posted by Christianrice_

I think i found the problem the post lci tail lights dont have these two wires but im not sure what to do about it, anyone have any idea what happened [IMG][/IMG]

You need to buy the "blackline" LCI tails. The standard ones that came on the LCI cars have the "strips", but they do not light up.

I just got a set of the blacklines today and installed them, I just pulled the cable out from slot 2 and put it in slot 3 for now, trying to decide what my long term solution will be.