This mod was sort of "buried" in my HID headlight install thread, so I thought I would post it again here in a separate thread for those that may have missed it.
Say bye-bye to the old dim single 194 bulbs.
Say hello to a more "modern" look
Front turn signal markers:
Rear marker lights:
LED Daytime running lights and accent lights:
Kits to do these modifications for your Fiero are now available from TLG-Auto
In your pictures the front side markers look amber but the link says they are white. (I thought front side markers have to be amber).
As JimmyS so aptly stated; The front marker / signals use white LEDs behind the amber lenses. You *could* use yellow LEDs behind the front lenses, but they are a lot dimmer than the white. The rear markers use red LEDs behind the lenses, (white LEDs behind the red lenses make them look too "orange")
Randye - there's no actual 'click to buy' on the site, but there is a 'notify me' button, which I clicked but I'm not sure if anything actually happened (I'm at work so who knows what dastardly things happen, it might be partially blocked or something)
Anyway, I figured I'd post here that I would like a set of the side marker kits, front and rear. Let me know if I need to do something else (like pay for them, which I'm sure would be appreciated )
Nice car by the way.
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03:55 PM
PFF
System Bot
zmcdonal Member
Posts: 1681 From: NW, Indiana Registered: Oct 2005
What kind of modification is needed to install these? They definitely look cool! I'm guessing that some cutting on the light housings is required. Any chance you could have some how-to instructions? I would really appreciate it. Thank you, sweet looking car btw!!
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06:47 PM
Jakesdads86gt Member
Posts: 102 From: Fowlerville, MI Registered: Jul 2004
Follow the second link above. There is a detailed video of the whole process on TLG's site (find the kit first, on the 2nd page)
Very cool thanks! I was on my phone and apparently too lazy to scoll to page 2. I thought the accent kit was it. Very nice video. I think this will be going on my list of things to do sometime!!
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07:20 PM
kooljess Member
Posts: 1135 From: FIEROS WEST USA Registered: Jul 2004
darnit I had something really similar to this planned... but not as a market piece so I guess I'm just late in the game. Good idea BTW thought I had it first... Just watched the video in it it's mentioned to be carefull not to break the post.... In my trials so far.. BE CAREFUL NOT TO PRY AGAINST THE SIDE IT'LL BREAK TOO!
what plug connector did they used for the turn signals that plug into the fiero connector?
thanks...
The wiring from the LED strip in the kit that plugs into the stock Fiero connector is the same as the original bulb. There is no modification needed on the wiring.
In your pictures the front side markers look amber but the link says they are white. (I thought front side markers have to be amber).
Right now the front marker kit uses white LEDs instead of amber, but we are experimenting with using amber LEDs to see how it looks. It will likely work fine, but an install needs to be done first. In person, and at night they still look the right color.
[This message has been edited by Oslo (edited 03-16-2010).]
Randye - there's no actual 'click to buy' on the site, but there is a 'notify me' button, which I clicked but I'm not sure if anything actually happened (I'm at work so who knows what dastardly things happen, it might be partially blocked or something)
Anyway, I figured I'd post here that I would like a set of the side marker kits, front and rear. Let me know if I need to do something else (like pay for them, which I'm sure would be appreciated )
Nice car by the way.
If you are on an actual computer, not your phone, you should be able to click the "Notify Me" button, and it will bring you to a prompt to input your email address. Right now we are waiting on a new stock of wire connector plugs to finish the LED strips. At that time the site will be updated with a new available quantity and you should receive an email telling you that they are back in stock. No pre-orders are being taken.
If you still have problems after trying the notification function again, PM me.
------------------ Top Line Group Automotive -Aftermarket accessories for the Fiero www.TLG-auto.com
What kind of modification is needed to install these? They definitely look cool! I'm guessing that some cutting on the light housings is required. Any chance you could have some how-to instructions? I would really appreciate it. Thank you, sweet looking car btw!!
I've been waiting for this for quite some time---glad to see everything worked out with the notchies.
I think this will look great on my Formula!
Randy says that the fastback side marker lights are super-easy to do this mod to, but the notchback side marker light version couldn't be done without adding heat. After cutting away at the sides and heating it up the install became fairly straight forward.
I should also mention one more thing. The pictures of Randye's orange Fiero have a lot more color in the amber than my silver Fiero has, this is because my marker lights are pretty old and original, while Randy's are aftermarket reproductions from the Fiero Store, also, the different lighting and different cameras used to take the pictures will have something to do with the different shades of color that shows up. I think it turned out spectacular on the old original lenses:
[This message has been edited by Oslo (edited 03-16-2010).]
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10:32 PM
jim94 Member
Posts: 1227 From: jacksonville, fl. usa Registered: Jan 2010
Was there a reason you do not run the wire out the existing socket hole instead of cutting a notch and bringing it ot at the end. It seems like it would protect the wires better if they were under the back and passing through the socket instead of being between the fender and the light fixture. I think I may use a small dremel wheel to cut the back. I get nervous around razor knives Looks great! I will definitely plan to do this.
Was there a reason you do not run the wire out the existing socket hole instead of cutting a notch and bringing it ot at the end. It seems like it would protect the wires better if they were under the back and passing through the socket instead of being between the fender and the light fixture. I think I may use a small dremel wheel to cut the back. I get nervous around razor knives Looks great! I will definitely plan to do this.
Just to be very clear about what needs to be done to make this modification. You do not need to cut the plastic. You simply need to release the glued joint between the outer molding piece and the backing plate. The goal is to remove this part in one piece: These are generally glued to the outer molding on the long edges of the part (green arrows)
The wires for the LEDs are run out the end and behind the backing plate because the new LED strip covers the hole on the front of the plate, (green circle)
There is plenty of room to run the small wires for the LED strip behind the reassembled molding piece and they are well protected there.
TLG-Auto has also added a 194 style plug to the wires, (I spliced and soldered mine to the OEM wires when I "invented" this modification). You won't need to cut or splice any wires to install your LEDs. Just plug them in.
NOTE: I found that polarity of the LED strip with the OEM marker wiring is important. You will need to test the LEDs once you have them installed into the molding. They should light up steady along with your parking lights and flash with your turn signals. (*rear markers do not flash) If they do not work on both steady state *and* flash, you may have to simply unplug them, turn the plug 180 degrees to reverse the contacts, and plug them back in and test again.
The new LED marker signals will *not* flash with your parking lights *off*. I don't find this to be a problem, as the old 194 bulbs were barely visible during the daylight anyway.
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08:14 AM
whodeanie Member
Posts: 3819 From: woodstock,Ga.,USA Registered: Jan 2008
I can say they look great, I am in the process of doing mine at the moment. it is a little harder for me to do them since I have to be carefull not to scratch my new paint.
Was there a reason you do not run the wire out the existing socket hole instead of cutting a notch and bringing it ot at the end. It seems like it would protect the wires better if they were under the back and passing through the socket instead of being between the fender and the light fixture. I think I may use a small dremel wheel to cut the back. I get nervous around razor knives Looks great! I will definitely plan to do this.
I agree with you that it would be better if the wiring would have come out of the hole in the middle of the backing plate, but it is just not possible with this setup. I think you will see when doing this project that it works very well the way it is done here though.
If you have a fastback and you want to do this modification, you may not even need to cut anything, you may not even need to use any heat at all.The marker lights on the two body styles are very different.
Originally posted by randye: NOTE: I found that polarity of the LED strip with the OEM marker wiring is important. You will need to test the LEDs once you have them installed into the molding. They should light up steady along with your parking lights and flash with your turn signals. (*rear markers do not flash) If they do not work on both steady state *and* flash, you may have to simply unplug them, turn the plug 180 degrees to reverse the contacts, and plug them back in and test again.
The new LED marker signals will *not* flash with your parking lights *off*.
If front marker doesn't flash with turn signal on and park light is On or Off... see cave, LED Marker light.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Originally posted by Oslo: The wiring from the LED strip in the kit that plugs into the stock Fiero connector is the same as the original bulb. There is no modification needed on the wiring.
"that plug" is it a 194 male connector or just a broken bulb with wires soldered to it? i already have LEDs just need a way to connect to the Fiero connector w/o cutting the wires.
quote
Originally posted by theogre: Nice job.
If front marker doesn't flash with turn signal on and park light is On or Off... see cave, LED Marker light.
so after reading the cave, to have both the "park" and "turn" you need two led strips inside the marker housing or the bridge rectifier?
so after reading the cave, to have both the "park" and "turn" you need two led strips inside the marker housing or the bridge rectifier?
NO The 194 plug is not a broken 194 bulb. Yes, it's a male plug.
I think the "Ogre" is concerned about the LED markers not flashing when the parking lights are off. The TLG-Auto LED kit will stay on steady when the parking lights are ON *and* will flash with the turn signals. The LED front markers will NOT flash when the parking lights are off. I do not find this to be a big problem because the old 194 bulb is so dim that it's practically invisible in daylight.
If you must have the front marker flash when the parking lights are OFF, you DO NOT need 2 LED strips in each of the front markers! You can simply add a silicon bridge rectifier into the wiring on each side. (Radio Shack P/N 276-1152) The bridge rectifiers are less than $2 each if I recall correctly.
To do this you just need to wire the bridge rectifier in as shown in the Ogre's cave, (see "Lighting" - "LED Marker Light"), then plug in the TLG-Auto kit into the old socket.
The Ogre is being helpful.
[This message has been edited by randye (edited 03-17-2010).]
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11:48 AM
Tom Slick Member
Posts: 4342 From: Alvarado, TX Registered: May 2003
I think the "Ogre" is concerned about the LED markers not flashing when the parking lights are off. The Ogre is being helpful.
Yes and thank you.
quote
I do not find this to be a big problem because the old 194 bulb is so dim that it's practically invisible in daylight.
You should do it too.
Yes 194 is dim... No question. Front marker is even dimer because bulb never gets full voltage. (Long story...)
You new LED isn't dim, it look to be quite bright for reduce voltage, and you can make the car safe in daytime. Safer than GM for sure. It's so cheap and easy to do... Why not? Just think about it please.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Couldn't you solder the wire from the back at the two indicated arrows... instead of the ends ....that way you could pass the wire through the existing hole??
Couldn't you solder the wire from the back at the two indicated arrows... instead of the ends ....that way you could pass the wire through the existing hole??
I understand what you are suggesting, however in the photo you will note that the hole for the old 194 bulb is between the 2 small ribs at the center of the backing plate. (green circle) As you can see the LED strip is wide enough that it just fits between those ribs, covering the hole, and does not leave sufficient room for the wires. Trust me, there really is plenty of room to run the wires behind the molding assembly and into the hole in the fender beside the old bulb mount. The wires are completely hidden and very well protected.
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10:15 AM
kooljess Member
Posts: 1135 From: FIEROS WEST USA Registered: Jul 2004
They are out of stuck for the moment. For what I understand this item are assembled by TLG. Looking forward to having this in my Fiero. Hopefully sooner than later. I like this mod!!! Looks like Fieros West is having another MOD Party.....
Watching the install video, couldn't you run the wires through the middle hole, then just have them bend back at the end? The LED strip is a self adhesive backing, I would think that it could still stick to the backing with wires running under it. Did that make any sense?
Originally posted by 86fierofun: Watching the install video, couldn't you run the wires through the middle hole, then just have them bend back at the end? The LED strip is a self adhesive backing, I would think that it could still stick to the backing with wires running under it. Did that make any sense? See the dotted path:
Exactly what I said..... but also solder the wires in the back of the LED strip (Reverse side where the arrows are in my pic) then just run the wires through the hole.
Watching the install video, couldn't you run the wires through the middle hole, then just have them bend back at the end? The LED strip is a self adhesive backing, I would think that it could still stick to the backing with wires running under it. Did that make any sense?
See the dotted path:
When you get your kits from TLG-Auto you can try to run your wires any which way that suits your fancy. Personally I don't care if people duct tape them up over the fender and feed them through a hole drilled in the hood! I'm simply speaking from experience and having developed this modification. When you get your lights apart and install the LED strips you will see for yourself how precious little room there is between the backing plate and the lens.
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