DIY: Side-marker "Clear Corner Lights" Installation
Respect the Yellow Line!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 140
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From: Charlotte, NC
Originally posted by msrecant
The reflector that people are removing from the clear side marker does not reflect light coming into the marker back out. The purpose is to only reflect the light from the bulb to the rear of the side marker, keeping the front third unlit (why this is done I do not know, I suspect some arcane Japanese automotive regulation).
With or without the internal reflector, the side marker is still designed to reflect exterior light back out.
The reflector that people are removing from the clear side marker does not reflect light coming into the marker back out. The purpose is to only reflect the light from the bulb to the rear of the side marker, keeping the front third unlit (why this is done I do not know, I suspect some arcane Japanese automotive regulation).
With or without the internal reflector, the side marker is still designed to reflect exterior light back out.
Respect the Yellow Line!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 140
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From: Charlotte, NC
Took msrecants advice pulled the markers off, the reflectors came out very easily and I put in the Bright whites and wow I am very impressed. Ill have to post a pic of em at night. Thanks msrecant this has been a very rewarding mod and you made it easy.
Adding Picture as promised.
Adding Picture as promised.
Last edited by Silver04RX8; Jul 1, 2004 at 04:19 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 87
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From: South Jersey
man im really upset, i took one reflector off fine but the second one was a bitch! the reflectors are metal! the 2nd reflector, i literally jammed a flat head screwdriver underneath the reflector and slammed it down with a hammer. it finally came off but when i was shaking the reflector out, an outter plastic piece broke off cos of the hammer. there goes 70bucks.
WWFSMD?
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 597
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From: Massachusetts, USA
That sucks but in the grand scheme of things $70 isn't enough to get too upset over. Consider the cost and inconvenience of an accident... even something trivial like curbing a wheel is a lot more of a pain than just ordering a couple more markers (maybe you can get just one?)
I don't see what the big deal is about the reflectors anyway... I left mine in.
I don't see what the big deal is about the reflectors anyway... I left mine in.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13
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From: seattle, wa
I did the change out last week- Thanks for the instructions- I took the metal reflectors out as well. Easy to take out with needle nose, just be careful not to scratch the lense.
It took more time to take the reflectors out than to install the lenses. approx 20 minutes for the whole job..
Thanks for the photo's..
It took more time to take the reflectors out than to install the lenses. approx 20 minutes for the whole job..
Thanks for the photo's..
I miss my 'Bu
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,243
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From: GA
Just got mine installed. I fiddled with the harness for a while and finally decided to use the one in the car already. Really easy to do - total time less than 8 minutes. I am keeping the reflectors. I have tthe oil cooler grilles on order so I may decide to pop the reflector out when I do that. Looks like a job for next Saturday.
Originally Posted by Nabil
...I have tthe oil cooler grilles on order so I may decide to pop the reflector out when I do that. Looks like a job for next Saturday.
I like cheese!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 957
Likes: 3
From: Little Rock, AR (was vegas)
Originally Posted by slllygrl10
is it illegal to have white bulb for the corner lights? If it is can I switch the turning lights from the back to the front turning lights?
EX-Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,286
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From: Jacksonville FL
It was easy to remove the reflectors but it will get scratched no matter what but it wont be visible from the outside so that should be fine
Originally Posted by msrecant
It is not hard to remove the reflectors and I believe it substantially improves the look of the marker at night (see installation photos). Unfortunately, due to the small size, it is hard to take pictures of the reflector.
Below is a rough diagram of the right-side side marker, looking down from the top. The reflector is located inside the side marker at the top of the opening where the bulb-assembly plugs in, and is angled to reflect the bulb's light towards the back of the side marker.
To remove the reflector:
1. The reflector is a single piece of soft metal, about 3/8 inch wide, roughly in the shape of a reverse "L". It is held in place by the flat bottom-portion of the reflector sliding in between two plastic slots rising from the back of the side marker housing. The bottom portion of the reflector has a tooth-edge to secure it between the two plastic slots. Note that the reflector is made of a soft metal that is easily deformed.
2. Entering through the bulb-assembly hole, place a small flat-blade screwdriver between the back of the side marker and the bottom of the reflector. Gently rotate the screwdriver side to side to loosen the reflector. Repeat using progressively larger flat-blade screw drivers until the base of the reflector has been deformed enough that the reflector falls free from the back of the side marker.
3. The reflector is now free within the side marker but it is too wide to simply come out the bulb-assembly hole. Shake the side marker until the reflector rests against the bulb-assembly hole. Reach in the hole with a pair of needle-nose pliers and attempt to bend each side of the reflector towards the center of the reflector. Eventually the reflector will become narrow enough to slip through the bulb-assembly hole.
Be gentle to avoid scratching or cracking the interrior of the side marker. If you are familiar with doing it, the process takes about 3-5 minutes.
Below is a rough diagram of the right-side side marker, looking down from the top. The reflector is located inside the side marker at the top of the opening where the bulb-assembly plugs in, and is angled to reflect the bulb's light towards the back of the side marker.
To remove the reflector:
1. The reflector is a single piece of soft metal, about 3/8 inch wide, roughly in the shape of a reverse "L". It is held in place by the flat bottom-portion of the reflector sliding in between two plastic slots rising from the back of the side marker housing. The bottom portion of the reflector has a tooth-edge to secure it between the two plastic slots. Note that the reflector is made of a soft metal that is easily deformed.
2. Entering through the bulb-assembly hole, place a small flat-blade screwdriver between the back of the side marker and the bottom of the reflector. Gently rotate the screwdriver side to side to loosen the reflector. Repeat using progressively larger flat-blade screw drivers until the base of the reflector has been deformed enough that the reflector falls free from the back of the side marker.
3. The reflector is now free within the side marker but it is too wide to simply come out the bulb-assembly hole. Shake the side marker until the reflector rests against the bulb-assembly hole. Reach in the hole with a pair of needle-nose pliers and attempt to bend each side of the reflector towards the center of the reflector. Eventually the reflector will become narrow enough to slip through the bulb-assembly hole.
Be gentle to avoid scratching or cracking the interrior of the side marker. If you are familiar with doing it, the process takes about 3-5 minutes.
Mr. Skinny
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 297
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From: Clearwater FL
Originally Posted by frogzapper
Thanks, Mike -- they were rather expensive -- $29.95 for the pair, but I thought, what the hey, as long as I'm doing this, I'll try these! I'm kind of curious to see how they look compared to the regular amber bulbs when illuminated. I was kind of expecting them to give off more of an amber glow than they do when lit -- I guess I'll have to take a look at them at night and see how they look. Or maybe if I'm not feeling too lazy I'll have to try putting in the regular amber bulbs for comparison. Has anyone had any problems with law enforcement when using the clear marker/amber bulb combo?
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
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few questions
-so the clear sidemarkers don't come with bubls
-what size bulb is it, what color do you buy
-is it necessary to remove the reflector, does it look decent with the reflector
-can you put the bulb in the stock one to the clear sidemarkers
thanks alot for any info
-so the clear sidemarkers don't come with bubls
-what size bulb is it, what color do you buy
-is it necessary to remove the reflector, does it look decent with the reflector
-can you put the bulb in the stock one to the clear sidemarkers
thanks alot for any info
Thread Starter
Hubble has been saved!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,221
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From: Richmond, VA
Originally Posted by veilsidev1
few questions
-so the clear sidemarkers don't come with bubls
-what size bulb is it, what color do you buy
-is it necessary to remove the reflector, does it look decent with the reflector
-can you put the bulb in the stock one to the clear sidemarkers
thanks alot for any info
-so the clear sidemarkers don't come with bubls
-what size bulb is it, what color do you buy
-is it necessary to remove the reflector, does it look decent with the reflector
-can you put the bulb in the stock one to the clear sidemarkers
thanks alot for any info
- Sidemarkers usually do not come with bulbs. They may come with a bulb-socket which is not needed. The existing socket can be used.
- The size/type is a 194NA amber bulb.
- No, the reflector does not have to be removed. It is your call call as to whether it looks decent. Check out the picture in post https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...98&postcount=4
- The stock bulb is a clear bulb which will make the side marker look white at night. You may or may not pass state inspection.
Registered
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 7,966
Likes: 4
From: Boulder County, Colorado
Originally Posted by msrecant
A few answers:
- Sidemarkers usually do not come with bulbs. They may come with a bulb-socket which is not needed. The existing socket can be used.
- The size/type is a 194NA amber bulb.
- No, the reflector does not have to be removed. It is your call call as to whether it looks decent. Check out the picture in post https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...98&postcount=4
- The stock bulb is a clear bulb which will make the side marker look white at night. You may or may not pass state inspection.
- Sidemarkers usually do not come with bulbs. They may come with a bulb-socket which is not needed. The existing socket can be used.
- The size/type is a 194NA amber bulb.
- No, the reflector does not have to be removed. It is your call call as to whether it looks decent. Check out the picture in post https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...98&postcount=4
- The stock bulb is a clear bulb which will make the side marker look white at night. You may or may not pass state inspection.
I've replaced both of these with "Hyper white" 194 bulbs, which match the HID headlights. Legal in the corner lights? Probably not - but it looks great. :D
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Riverside, CA
I just installed my clear sidemarkers that I got from Rotary Extreme. They are now shipping them with orange colored bulbs for free. I installed the orange bulbs, but I'm not sure I like it, so I might put the white back in.
I removed the reflector, which was probably the most difficult part of the installation! Like other said, once you have the first one done, the second is much easier.
Installation of the sidemarkers was a breeze, thanks to these instructions.
The clear sidemarkers look so much better on the Velocity Red paint. The orange really clashed quite badly.
Thanks for the great thread!
I removed the reflector, which was probably the most difficult part of the installation! Like other said, once you have the first one done, the second is much easier.
Installation of the sidemarkers was a breeze, thanks to these instructions.
The clear sidemarkers look so much better on the Velocity Red paint. The orange really clashed quite badly.
Thanks for the great thread!
Attracts tree branches
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,940
Likes: 3
go with bright white LEDs 
Originally Posted by Rob Tomlin
I just installed my clear sidemarkers that I got from Rotary Extreme. They are now shipping them with orange colored bulbs for free. I installed the orange bulbs, but I'm not sure I like it, so I might put the white back in.
I removed the reflector, which was probably the most difficult part of the installation! Like other said, once you have the first one done, the second is much easier.
Installation of the sidemarkers was a breeze, thanks to these instructions.
The clear sidemarkers look so much better on the Velocity Red paint. The orange really clashed quite badly.
Thanks for the great thread!
I removed the reflector, which was probably the most difficult part of the installation! Like other said, once you have the first one done, the second is much easier.
Installation of the sidemarkers was a breeze, thanks to these instructions.
The clear sidemarkers look so much better on the Velocity Red paint. The orange really clashed quite badly.
Thanks for the great thread!
God is like a shamrock...
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, OK
Could somebody recomend the brand of a good 194 Xenon bulb? I got my clear markers today, removed the reflectors, installed them (no prob :D ) with these "super white" bulbs I got from and auto parts store ( http://www.4apc.net ).
However, I found out after turning them on that they were not Xenon. The blue fooled me I guess
I see lots to choose from on ebay, but am now aprehensive! Can someone recomend Xenon bulb that is true? Also, what is LED ?
Thanks for all your help, and for all of great DIY posts in this thread that made changing the side-markers easy!
However, I found out after turning them on that they were not Xenon. The blue fooled me I guess
I see lots to choose from on ebay, but am now aprehensive! Can someone recomend Xenon bulb that is true? Also, what is LED ?
Thanks for all your help, and for all of great DIY posts in this thread that made changing the side-markers easy!
Attracts tree branches
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,940
Likes: 3
well there are no xenon 194s...just headlights come that way, when it says xenon it is usually refering to the look (as in the bright white when a blue tint is applied) thus your better of getting LEDs, I'll find a pic for you...the are bright white and the nice thing is they run really cool and will never ever burn out
but you can get them in any color, right now I have LED (Light Emitting Diode)s in the reverse light bright whites, front bright white turn signals, rear amber turn signals (turn signals require a load equalizer, or they will triple blink) and white led clear corner lights and inner running lights...let me find a pic for you of my car, one sec
but you can get them in any color, right now I have LED (Light Emitting Diode)s in the reverse light bright whites, front bright white turn signals, rear amber turn signals (turn signals require a load equalizer, or they will triple blink) and white led clear corner lights and inner running lights...let me find a pic for you of my car, one sec
Originally Posted by dgerald
Could somebody recomend the brand of a good 194 Xenon bulb? I got my clear markers today, removed the reflectors, installed them (no prob :D ) with these "super white" bulbs I got from and auto parts store ( http://www.4apc.net ).
However, I found out after turning them on that they were not Xenon. The blue fooled me I guess
I see lots to choose from on ebay, but am now aprehensive! Can someone recomend Xenon bulb that is true? Also, what is LED ?
Thanks for all your help, and for all of great DIY posts in this thread that made changing the side-markers easy!
However, I found out after turning them on that they were not Xenon. The blue fooled me I guess
I see lots to choose from on ebay, but am now aprehensive! Can someone recomend Xenon bulb that is true? Also, what is LED ?
Thanks for all your help, and for all of great DIY posts in this thread that made changing the side-markers easy!
Attracts tree branches
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,940
Likes: 3
sorry I forgot to mention where I got them... http://autolumination.com/194.htm the 5 LED wedge bulb, choose your color
A Torque-Free Zone
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 859
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From: Virginia Beach
msrecant or loco4rx8, have you guys hit VA state inspection yet? I'm wondering if you had any problems with the clears. I perused the VA code and couldn't find specifics on side marker color, but the inspection rules state:
6. - INSPECT OTHER LIGHTS FOR:
Approved type, proper bulbs, condition of lenses, wiring and switch.
Aim of fog and driving lamps.
Illumination of all lamps, lens color, and condition of lens.
(NOTE: Every vehicle must have a rear lamp showing a red light to the rear, a white light illuminating the rear license plate; vehicles over 7 feet wide or extending 4 inches or more beyond the front fender extremes must be equipped with approved clearance lamps and reflex reflectors. Count load in measuring.)
Approved type, proper bulbs, condition of lenses, wiring and switch.
Aim of fog and driving lamps.
Illumination of all lamps, lens color, and condition of lens.
(NOTE: Every vehicle must have a rear lamp showing a red light to the rear, a white light illuminating the rear license plate; vehicles over 7 feet wide or extending 4 inches or more beyond the front fender extremes must be equipped with approved clearance lamps and reflex reflectors. Count load in measuring.)
Thread Starter
Hubble has been saved!
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Richmond, VA
Originally Posted by G-ReX
msrecant or loco4rx8, have you guys hit VA state inspection yet? I'm wondering if you had any problems with the clears. I perused the VA code and couldn't find specifics on side marker color, but the inspection rules state:
I have looked at the VA law and it does not explicitly say what the running light reflected color must be (I have amber bulbs). However there is a general statement about Federal regulations applying if no explicit State regulation is stated and I have not analyzed the Federal regs on this.
On a practical level, a long as it is not broken and it lights up and I don't think the inspecting mechanic even thinks about the color.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Pflugerville, Texas
I just wanted to let you i appreciate the DIY you created. It was helpful and i completed the task in about 15 minutes taking my time. I did remove the reflectors and i am very happy with it.
Rotary only since 1980
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 587
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From: Southeast of Seattle
Thanks to all the contributors on this thread, I installed my Christmas present clear corners. The instruction in this DIY are fantastic, it made the job much easier and less stressful.
Here's my one contribution on the procedure. When detaching the internal reflector on my first corner I slightly scratched the inside of the lens with the end of the reflector. Its not real noticable from the outside but it bugged me. So on the second corner, before I started to detach the reflector I looped a wire around the reflector and pulled to bend it up, i.e., toward the hole and away from the lens. This prevented any scratching of the lens during removal.
Thanks again, guys. This is what makes this forum great.
Here's my one contribution on the procedure. When detaching the internal reflector on my first corner I slightly scratched the inside of the lens with the end of the reflector. Its not real noticable from the outside but it bugged me. So on the second corner, before I started to detach the reflector I looped a wire around the reflector and pulled to bend it up, i.e., toward the hole and away from the lens. This prevented any scratching of the lens during removal.
Thanks again, guys. This is what makes this forum great.
A Torque-Free Zone
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 859
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From: Virginia Beach
Just got mine on today! Thanks for the D.I.Y.; it was easy to do, but nice to have directions for confidence. I left the internal mirrors for now.
BTW, I was speaking to a patient (who is a cop) about car mods. I asked about the corner markers. He checked with the traffic enforcement guys and they said they'd let the clear corners go if the light was amber. He said they tend to go after those valve stem and windshield washer lights or lights that are off legal colors (like white corners). It looks like federal regs specify amber lights and reflectors at the corners, hence the lights that came on the cars.
BTW, I was speaking to a patient (who is a cop) about car mods. I asked about the corner markers. He checked with the traffic enforcement guys and they said they'd let the clear corners go if the light was amber. He said they tend to go after those valve stem and windshield washer lights or lights that are off legal colors (like white corners). It looks like federal regs specify amber lights and reflectors at the corners, hence the lights that came on the cars.