My MX 5 has been fitted at some time with the clear side marker lights, and I was given a box (ex MX5Parts) with the old amber side markers, and also two pairs of bulb holders with short wiring tails on them, fitted with amber bulbs. Now, I am assuming that these are the fittings to illuminate the side markers. I would like to do this, but, having grovelled under the car, I can not find an easy way to access the sidelight wiring to connect up.
Can anyone give me a clue? I also think that the wiring tails supplied are not going to be anywhere near long enough, so I will need to extend these before I fit the bulb holders to the car. I hate those scotchlock connectors, the things rust, so I’ll be soldering the extensions on. Am I going to have to cut into the wiring to the sidelights, or should I put long enough extensions on to actually reach the cars sidelight/rearlight bulbholders, and join in there?
Has anyone on the forum done this (Someone must have) Any tips much appreciated.
G’day Alec, I seem to remember that when I did mine I cut the wire to the indicator stripped it back and t’d the wire from the repeater, and like you I soldered the joint, then used some heat shrink to waterproof the joint. I had plenty of wire to do this. NOTE, I repeated the flashers, not the side lights.
I used the holder and tails from MX5parts and yes they were far too short so I solderd and heat shrunk extensions on.
For connecting to the existing wires, I cut the loom and put a spade connector block in, with 2 outputs, one to origional light and one to side markers. Then heat shrunk and insulating tape over the whole lot. Did it this way rather than solder, just in case I chance my mind later on or want to do other wiring changes, I like things being reversible. To run the cable neatly, i used a couple of self adhesive cable ties mount thingies stuck onto the inside of the bumper/bodywork.
I wired mine to the sidelights and they have been fine for over 2years. In common with everyone else I also soldered and heat shrunk all joints, including extended the wires to the bulb holders.
I connected the rears inside the boot, using rubber grommets already present in the boot floor. The fronts were soldered to the wires to the sidelights in the front bumper. Not reversible without resorting to the soldering iron but that does not concern me too much.
I was a little concerned that I should have increased the existing fuse size but have had no problems at all.
Done a search and this is right on track. Just one question.
Got everything ready but not confident with the splicing. Does it matter which way round the wires are connected? I know it doesn’t matter with AC lighting but really numpty with car wiring.
