US turn signals

C

cj10jeeper

Lifer
 Lichfield, England
I'm in midst of a little conversion project and have been using some US sourced lights. I notice that the outer edge of the indicator (turn signal) has another bulb, making in effect 3 turn bulbs.

Is this a standard feature of US models as in the UK we don't get that just a reflector and 2 turn bulbs, the outer segment being blank

Here's a poor quality photo of a stripped down UK (top) and US lower) unit with their amber/clear lenses off:

turnsignal.jpg
 
DrakeZZ said:
We don't use the signals in the US, or at least it seems to me that is true of most......
Click to expand...

We have 2 classes of "signalers" in the Kansas City Metro:

1). Never uses them.

2). Has had one of them on since '89.
 
All very amusing and not much different to the UK where we have a variation of switching on the indicator so late then braking/turning so as to give you no reaction time, however does not answer the question I asked??

'Is this a standard feature of US models as in the UK we don't get that just a reflector and 2 turn bulbs, the outer segment being blank'
 
The US spec one with the "3rd light" that is actually a parking light / sidemarker it does NOT blink. It illuminates with the bottom row of blinkers whenever you have you parking or headlights on. If you were hoping it would blink you might be out of luck. You could however when you add the 3rd socket since yours doesn't have it you can wire it with the blinkers and it would blink together. Looks like more and more people are taking the cutting wheel to their lights.
 
BimmerZealot said:
The US spec one with the "3rd light" that is actually a parking light / sidemarker it does NOT blink. It illuminates with the bottom row of blinkers whenever you have you parking or headlights on. If you were hoping it would blink you might be out of luck. You could however when you add the 3rd socket since yours doesn't have it you can wire it with the blinkers and it would blink together. Looks like more and more people are taking the cutting wheel to their lights.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bimmerzealot that helps to know how it shoudl work as standard

In this case I've decided to wire it into the repeaters by a simple loop to create a complete line of indicators.

I think my post on chopping up lights and fitting AE has triggered a few people to try, judging by the requests and questions I get from various sources
 
Big mistake. :D I have mentally installed about 30 satnav systems as well so far, plus the odd request for doing a "paid" job. :)

There is a price to pay for doing the impossible :wink:
 
phil, how did you split the sealed light unit when you converted, i am wondering if to achivec the clear light look it would work if the orange reflector was removed and silver indicator bulbs were used... :?
 
plowy said:
phil, how did you split the sealed light unit when you converted, i am wondering if to achivec the clear light look it would work if the orange reflector was removed and silver indicator bulbs were used... :?
Click to expand...

You can't split them - it has to be done with sacrificial light units building one from two

In terms of removing the amber that would not work as once apart you find that the inner amber/clear piece is screwed to the base of the black/silver reflector and to the casing. Removing it affects the internal integrity of the light.

Not like some Bimmers that you can just melt the light in the oven or with an airgun, dremmel bits out and stick it back together. :thumbsdown:
 
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