Rear side marker lights, wiring

[tdivan82]

The US market vanagons got a rectangular marker light on each side, near the rear. Euro vehicles did not. Mine is an import from Europe, without the markers. I'd like to add them.

Does anyone have a photo showing where the lights get wired to? I found a pic of the little harness for the markers, but cannot find where the wires end is supposed to attach to. Seems like it might connect straight to the tail light??

https://vancafe.com/side-marker-wire-harness-with-bulb-holder/

Any leads are appreciated, and a photo is worth 1000 words!

Thanks in advance!
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- George
'82 Westy 1z TDI, DK w/ .775 straight cut 4th, 1.143 3rd
In the engine: Total Quartz Energy 9000 5w40
In the gearbox: Swepco 202

[4Gears4Tires]

I would not drill holes in the body to add them. I would find some lights to mount to the bumper.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/174380049722?itmmeta=01HW...BM7O3HzeFj

and then I'd add something like this inside the van at the top of the rear window.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/335074993057?itmmeta=01HW...R57xvs3hYw
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[jimf909]

I agree on not drilling to add side markers. As for wiring, the side marker light is typically always on with the parking lights but the wiring mod below makes it flash with the turn signals:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=623823
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=598035&highlight=side+markers

[elizer]

agree with the agrees. If you have a metal bumper you can use these on the end caps. These might be what Jim's quote might be referring to.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/vehicle-lights/led-accent-lighting/led-wired-bolts


https://www.superbrightleds.com/vehicle-lights/tru...+color-Red
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91 syncro westy fas tdi

[crazyvwvanman]

Some Mercedes models used essentially the same side marker lights
If having them be LED appeals to you.
Same mounting hole requirements.
Can replace exisiting VW ones without changing the VW holes.

Aftermarket $20-30 for a pair, shipped.

Mark

[tdivan82]

I appreciate all the responses, however, where that factory marker bulb pigtail gets wired to is the question at hand.

As for drilling holes, they are already present. This van has some... history. It began life as a US market air cooled, went to europe and became diesel powered, and then later returned to the US, but with all euro electric and lighting.

Long story short, the holes are already present in the body (covered by an adhesive strip). Installing either the factory original markers or some aftermarket LED ones should be plug-n-play.... except that there's nowhere to plug them into.
_________________
- George
'82 Westy 1z TDI, DK w/ .775 straight cut 4th, 1.143 3rd
In the engine: Total Quartz Energy 9000 5w40
In the gearbox: Swepco 202

[zerotofifty]

Id not hesitate to drill holes to add these lights had there been no holes present. I am clueless why some advise otherwise.
As for wiring, the tail lamp circuit is a very good place to get the power from. that way these marker lamps will illuminate when the tail lamps are on, just as the factory did it.
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Give peace a chance. No American war with Russia!

[kamzcab86]

[tdivan82]

Wired straight to the tail lights, easy then. Thank you Kamz!
_________________
- George
'82 Westy 1z TDI, DK w/ .775 straight cut 4th, 1.143 3rd
In the engine: Total Quartz Energy 9000 5w40
In the gearbox: Swepco 202

[jimf909]

The wiring and an alternative are mentioned in the danfromsyr post above. Mentioning it so you don't miss the alternative.
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- Jim