Tail Light Retrofit- AMBER turn signal

One thing I've always hated about my 3 was how they use the Brake light as the turn signal. I'm a big believer in a dedicated color(amber) for turn signal. Unfortunately a lot of manufactures are going away from that in favor for the brake/turn combo. Maybe it's cost savings.IDK, but I am out to change that.

I started looking into just purchasing the European model 3 Tail lights which have an amber turn signal factory(its required by law over seas to have a orange signal). The problem I ran into was the US spec cars are programmed to use the brake AS the turn signal. Which means than even if I got a European lamp, i would still need to find a way to change the computer system to flash a dedicated output for the turn signal.

So I purchased a set of stock tail lights and cut them apart. While inside I painted the chrome black which gave i a much cleaner look. Then I retrofitted a 3" Diode dynamics HD amber LED strip where the OEM reverse was. For the reverse, I retrofitted a 3" white LED strip right next to it(inner). The wiring was a bit tricky as I had to tap off the 3rd brake light for dedicated "BRAKE" then the front camera side markers for a dedicated "TURN" signal. Overall worked pretty well!

In the trunk, pass side there's a harness. Blue wire is 3rd brake light which is where I tapped off.

Running the turn wires through the trunk boot. fun stuff

here's a video showing the functions. They might look dim, but its out in direct sunlight. I assure you they are bright
Also you may notice they are hyperflashing because the car isn't seeing any load(i disconnected the stock brake/turn wire) I left them as is, but if it get annoying I will throw a resistor in there.

Also Decided to do blackout headlight, and AMBER DRL mod

 

[E90alex]

Do you got the spoiler on your phone app graphic? I add the spoiler but it only show on my car graphic

Yes but it’s bareeeeely noticeable. It’s barely noticeable in the car too TBH.

 

[Merchant Zhang]

Yes but it’s bareeeeely noticeable. It’s barely noticeable in the car too TBH. View attachment 1046652

I cannot see my the spoiler on my climate or control on my phone. I wondering how did you add the spoiler? Change the config id 55 into value 1? Ok my bad. It do successfully adding both on car and app. It is barely noticeable. Specially in grey car

 

[bibena]

Also never saw a pic posted before, but the running light on global outers are definitely brighter than the North American inners. The picture really exaggerates it, but it’s definitely apparent to me in person.

This has been discussed befiore, hence why some have changed the inners as well. So they better match the global outers.

 

[E90alex]

This has been discussed befiore, hence why some have changed the inners as well. So they better match the global outers.

Yes it had been discussed before but I don’t recall seeing a picture of the difference.

 

[Durzel]

This has been discussed befiore, hence why some have changed the inners as well. So they better match the global outers.

The global lights have a slightly higher wattage rating if memory serves.

 

[thebestiam1]

Was able to successfully change the tail light config with service shell in Tesla toolbox today. Also activated rear fogs and added the spoiler to the in car graphic. Still need to swap the inners and modify the wiring to get the rear fogs though.

I read somewhere about a trick to get a 1 hour subscription by registering a new account and selecting Europe as the location but it kept giving me an error when trying to pay with my US credit card. Maybe Tesla closed the loophole? So I ended up just having to pay for a 1 day subscription.

Also never saw a pic posted before, but the running light on global outers are definitely brighter than the North American inners. The picture really exaggerates it, but it’s definitely apparent to me in person.

Looks good! Does anyone know the parts needed for the rear fogs to work?

 

[terranx]

Looks good! Does anyone know the parts needed for the rear fogs to work?

You need the global inner tail lamps and the stuff mentioned here: Tail Light Retrofit- AMBER turn signal