This is a brief DIY on how to install JDM side markers on 95-99 subaru legacy's. There are two ways to wire these. One is to have the signals off all the time and flash in unison with the turn signals when they are activated. The other, and the one described here is to have them off when the the parking/headlights are off, in which case they light up in unison with the turn signals, and when the headlights/parking lights are on, the signals are also lit, and when the turn signals are activated the side markers will turn off and on in an alternating sequence with the rest of the turn signals.
Tools needed:
10mm socket
8mm socket
Floor jack/ jackstands
Wire snips/strippers/crimpers
Additional supplies:
8ft of black 18awg wire (red if you would like to color coordinate to for alternating signals)
4ft of green 18awg wire
4ft of white 18awg wire
4 no strip connectors
4 butt crimping butt joints (or sauder)
***note: I did not disconnect my battery, and while most will say this is the first thing to do when installing electronics, I didn't feel it was necessary because my lights and ignition were both in the off position. I had no problems, but to alleviate personal responsibility, you should disconnect the negative cable of the battery.
Alright, first thing's first, you're going to want to prep the wires for installation. The passenger side signal will have a white wire for a positive lead and the driver side will have a green. Attach the corresponding wires to the signals (I used butt joints, but you could also sauder for a stronger connection). The black ground wires will be remaining on the signals now. Attach 4ft of your black (or red) wire.
Now jack the car up (either one side at a time or the entire car at once). Pull the wheel off and pull the fender liner out to where it is pictured. There will be 3 -10mm bolts, and one 8mm bolt holding the fender liner in. There will also be some metal clips. Once all the bolts are removed pull the fender liner towards the car and down and it'll pop off easily.
Next remove the grill (there are 4 clips on top and two on the bottom, hopefully someone can chime in on how to pop the lower clips without snapping them, mine have been snapped for months now). The top clips are easy enough, use the end of your car keys to push the middle tab down and pull the grill outward to the front of the car. Next remove your headlights, there are three bolts on 95/96 model years. For 97 and up you should be able to just remove the corner lamp with the turn signal socket in. Make sure you unplug the headlight harness and twist the turn signal socket out as well. For 95-96 headlights, when the three bolts are removed you're not done, there is a ribbed push bolt near the edge of the headlamp, some older pictures showing removal of this part are included.
Grab here and pull to the front of the car- Here's the bolt you are pulling out
Time to pop out your trim triangle. Push on the end closest to the front of the car, a small plastic lip holds this side in. On the back most end is a small white clip. Squeeze from the top and bottom on the small wings to pop this part out.
Unscrew the bulb holder of the turn signal and replace the bulb (if you wish). Loop this through the hold in the fender and let it droop. Fish the wiring up above where the fender liner is. Remember that the fender liner will push on the wiring, so leave some slack in the wire.
Now you can splice the wiring into the turn signal wiring. Match white to white and green to green. If you want alternating signals, ground to the red wire (this goes for both sides). If you want signals that fire at the same time as the other signals, ground to the black wires. Plug the bulb into the side marker, attach the marker and test. Take keys out and repeat on other side.
***note, in this image is a green wire spliced into the red with a blue splice. This is a line running to my foglight relay.
Now just bolt everything back together and enjoy your JDM awesomeness. Don't forget to plug in your headlight sockets, or else it'll be a real dark ride home.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Plays_with_Toys
