Author |
Message |
tdivan82 Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2023 Posts: 41 Location: Virginia
|
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2024 1:58 pm Post subject: Rear side marker lights, wiring |
|
|
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! _________________ - 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 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 3054 Location: MD
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7479 Location: WA/ID
|
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2024 2:56 pm Post subject: Re: Rear side marker lights, wiring |
|
|
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
danfromsyr wrote: |
I don't want to kick you or them too much, but I'm not keen to trailer lights added to the side of vans..
what I do on the stock units is replace the whole bulb& holder with a red 3/4in LED Jammie
they're pretty cheap on fleabay.
they stuff right into the housing using the supplied 3/4in grommet
they're 100% waterproof and will never fail again..
for extra effect I also hook the +12v to the proper tail/running light
but I hook the -Neg to the +Pos of the blinker (turn signal) circuit..
by doing this it'll illuminate normally as a side light
but when your turn signal is on it'll interupt the LEDs -neg path and then the side light will blink as well.
I find this makes the van much more visible.. just be sure to make good weatherproof electrical connections for longevity |
_________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
|
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
|
Back to top |
|
|
elizer Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2016 Posts: 1469 Location: Northern Virginia
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
crazyvwvanman Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008 Posts: 9940 Location: Orbiting San Diego
|
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2024 3:34 pm Post subject: Re: Rear side marker lights, wiring |
|
|
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 wrote: |
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! |
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
tdivan82 Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2023 Posts: 41 Location: Virginia
|
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2024 3:58 pm Post subject: Re: Rear side marker lights, wiring |
|
|
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 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
zerotofifty Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003 Posts: 1570
|
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2024 4:37 pm Post subject: Re: Rear side marker lights, wiring |
|
|
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. _________________ Give peace a chance. No American war with Russia! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7925 Location: Arizona
|
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2024 5:40 pm Post subject: Re: Rear side marker lights, wiring |
|
|
tdivan82 wrote: |
I appreciate all the responses, however, where that factory marker bulb pigtail gets wired to is the question at hand. |
_________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
tdivan82 Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2023 Posts: 41 Location: Virginia
|
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2024 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: Rear side marker lights, wiring |
|
|
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 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7479 Location: WA/ID
|
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2024 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: Rear side marker lights, wiring |
|
|
The wiring and an alternative are mentioned in the danfromsyr post above. Mentioning it so you don't miss the alternative. _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
|
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|