Stupid Design!

[Divemaster191307]

So I would have liked to separate the turn signal light from the brake light in the tailight assembly. The idea was to get orange LEDs for the turn signals and red LEDs for the brake lights. Well, if I read the electrical diagram correctly, both the turn signals and the brake lights run on the same pair of wires (VIO/ORG for the rigth, BRY/BRN for the left). And it all comes from the SJB. The only way I can think of to achieve this would be to trigger a relay using the signal that goes to the High Mounted Stoplamp. What a pain!!!

Anybody knows of a way to separate those 2 signals on a 2007 Explorer? Can the SJB be reprogrammed to get it to do what I want?

 

[joachimf]

@Divemaster191307,

yea, I have done this conversion some times, replacing the tail lights with Aussi/Japan/Europe tail lamps, of course with orange turn signal indicators.

Forget about reprogramming the SJB. I have triggered the rear indicators from the front indicators with relays. Signal for the brake lamps can be taken from the 3rd stop lamp. Have soldered in resistors to show enough resistance for the SJB.

If you need details, let me know.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=298102

 

[Divemaster191307]

yea, I have done this conversion some times, replacing the tail lights with Aussi/Japan/Europe tail lamps, of course with orange turn signal indicators.

I like those tailight assemblies, and that's in essence what I am trying to achieve, but I really wanted to modify these (since they already have LEDs on the top portion):

I was thinking of using a set of Orange / White switchback LEDs in the Backup socket, leaving the top portion for Running an Brake lights.

Forget about reprogramming the SJB. I have triggered the rear indicators from the front indicators with relays. Signal for the brake lamps can be taken from the 3rd stop lamp. Have soldered in resistors to show enough resistance for the SJB.

I didn't think about tapping off the front signals... I already run LEDs (switchbacks) on the front turn signal, so relays may not even be necessary. That give me some ideas. Thanks!

 

[joachimf]

@Divemaster191307,

my pleasure.

Btw, are there LED units orange/white that would fit?

 

[Divemaster191307]

Btw, are there LED units orange/white that would fit?

There are switchback LEDs that fit the "backup light" hole. This particular assembly didn't come with a socket, so I ordered a socket with pigtail, and I'll splice that into the harness (I don't want to cut anything, just in case I want to go back to stock). I tested the Amber/White in that little reflector and it looks really good. Hopefully the Red/White will work just as well.

Autolumination has a slew of switchback LEDs, mostly Amber/White. I use them in the headlight assembly and they work great (other than the LOM issue). The White matches the HID in the fog light assembly too Those guys also have sockets and all kinds of little goodies to make everything work.

For now, I'm putting a 48-LED Red/White switchback in the backup hole, and driving that with the Running and Backup signals. The only problem with this approach is that I won't have Backup lights if the Running lights are on... I'll probably end up putting some driving lights under the bumper, driving them through a relay anyway.
I'm also removing the Running light signal from the top section and connecting both Running and Turn wires from the assembly to the wiring harness. I think that will give me a clearer and brighter separation, until I have time to mod with the front turn signal.