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Euro spec taillight conversion problem.

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Old Sep 26, 2009 | 12:17 PM
  #1  
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Default Euro spec taillight conversion problem.

Hello everyone.

I'm in the middle of changing my taillights for Euro spec ones and i have a problem, the turn signals are blinking fast.

At the moment i have 2 turn signal lamps on each side.
The EU model however only has one turn signal lamp on eache side, the other one is taken by the reverse lights (see 2nd picture below)

Now if i discard one of the turn signal lamps the turnsignals are blinking faster, indicating a bulb is missing.

I'm not sure how this system works if it's based on resistance, i've tried replacing the bulb with a 25ohm resistor but it doesn't work.

Is there any way to 'fool' the system so it thinks the bulb is there?

Many thanks for your help.
Xavier.

Right now if looks like this:


This is how it should look like:
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Old Sep 26, 2009 | 02:37 PM
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Originally Posted by XavZ06
Hello everyone.

I'm in the middle of changing my taillights for Euro spec ones and i have a problem, the turn signals are blinking fast.

At the moment i have 2 turn signal lamps on each side.
The EU model however only has one turn signal lamp on eache side, the other one is taken by the reverse lights (see 2nd picture below)

Now if i discard one of the turn signal lamps the turnsignals are blinking faster, indicating a bulb is missing.

I'm not sure how this system works if it's based on resistance, i've tried replacing the bulb with a 25ohm resistor but it doesn't work.

Is there any way to 'fool' the system so it thinks the bulb is there?

Many thanks for your help.
Xavier.

Right now if looks like this:


This is how it should look like:
According to my parts manual, the part numbers for a domestic and export tail lamp/turn signal bulb are different.
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Old Sep 27, 2009 | 08:12 AM
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Thanks for your answers. However, i'm not planning to change the entire wiring harness, it's too much of a hassle and in fact the lights will be swapped for the original ones once i've passed the test so it's only a temporarely solution.
At the moment i have 5702KA bulbs, which draw according to my measurements about 2amps.

I might try some heavier load resistors. Right now i tried 25ohm/25W resistors but they are too light.

6ohm/50W might do the trick.


I've also found this baby on the internet, not sure if it would fix the problem.
http://www.corvette-enhancements.com/c5_flasher_fix.php
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Old Sep 27, 2009 | 03:32 PM
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Quote:--Right now i tried 25ohm/25W resistors but they are too light.
6ohm/50W might do the trick.
--------------------------------------------------------
If you want them to draw more current, you need LOWER resistance, not higher! I read that as 60 ohm, if I read it wrong, then you got it right.

Last edited by byronhunter; Sep 27, 2009 at 03:35 PM.
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Old Sep 27, 2009 | 03:47 PM
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Looks like you have a US spec car and the wiring is entirely different to a Euro spec

I have a US spec and modified mine for UK. You can buy a plug and play harness which solves all the problems. Try PFYC.com.


Last edited by DeeGee; Sep 27, 2009 at 03:50 PM.
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Old Sep 28, 2009 | 05:26 AM
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Morning guys,

Yes, the license plate backup lights go into the center two lights.
This is not really a problem to do, the bulb sockets fit with verry minor modifications.

The only problem is what to do with the two remaining turn signal indicators...

DeeGee, on your picture is that a 'UK' euro spec wiring harness you have? My Z06 is exactly the same as yours. Four amber turn signal lights, and license plate holder with the backup lights.

I sent a mail to PFYC if they can source me the eu spec wiring harness but i doubt it'll be the same one you used.

Now i managed to do the conversion, see picture below, but i can't tell you what i did with the turn signals, let's say the solution at the moment is not very pro



Also a pic of my new tires: michelins pilot sport ps2
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Old Sep 28, 2009 | 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by XavZ06
Morning guys,

DeeGee, on your picture is that a 'UK' euro spec wiring harness you have? My Z06 is exactly the same as yours. Four amber turn signal lights, and license plate holder with the backup lights.

I sent a mail to PFYC if they can source me the eu spec wiring harness but i doubt it'll be the same one you used.

Now i managed to do the conversion, see picture below, but i can't tell you what i did with the turn signals, let's say the solution at the moment is not very pro
What is your car. Is it Euro spec or US spec? You seem to have a mix (additional fog light but no reversing lights and no fogs in the bumper). The advice depends on which spec you have.
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Old Sep 28, 2009 | 03:13 PM
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Unless the harness has a way of changing the load, it won't change anything electrically. I still think the correct bulb is in order here to make a RPO T89 setup.
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Old Sep 29, 2009 | 07:58 AM
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There are two ways to do the conversion so the signal does not flash fast.
1. you need to put in a load resistor in on both sides where you are not runing the turn signal. We use one here in Australia part number LR 12 which probably does not mean much to you but it works perfect.

2. Alternative method is put in another bulb socket with bulb in it and just let it hang inside the rear bumper.

If you need wiring instructons on how to convert US version wiring harness to suit Euro set up PM me your email and i will email you step by step instructions.
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Old Sep 29, 2009 | 08:44 AM
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Hi Vet 005

i would be verry interested in receiving the instructions for converting the wiring. PM sent!

I also agree the load resistors are an easy fix and like you say there is loads of space in the rear bumper.

Like you probably guessed it right now i have the bulbs dangling in the bumper but i'm waiting for the load resistors. The ones i ordered on-line look exactly the same like the LR12's you mention (i looked them up on the internet)

The ones i ordered are 6ohms. So @12V they output 2A (12V/6ohm) which corresponds to 24W (P= I²xR)
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Old Sep 29, 2009 | 09:10 AM
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PM replied instructions sent
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Old Sep 29, 2009 | 09:13 AM
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Originally Posted by VET-005
PM replied instructions sent
Got them, they are verry detailed!
Thank you sir
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Old Sep 29, 2009 | 03:20 PM
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I fitted my own Euro lights to a US spec car so I know how to do the conversion. I've also seen many Euro spec cars here in UK. The danger is mixing the mods

Happy to help if you need it
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Old Sep 29, 2009 | 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by DeeGee
I fitted my own Euro lights to a US spec car so I know how to do the conversion. I've also seen many Euro spec cars here in UK. The danger is mixing the mods

Happy to help if you need it


Hi DeeGee,

I'm unsure what my wiring harness is, it's probably something in between like you suggested. My Z06 was purchased in the UK, maybe you even know the owner (he is the first owner). As far as i know he's the only texan that can speak gaelic The Z06 was originally purchased by him off corvettes of houston. They did the conversion to 'UK' DVLA standards before export. The Z06 was never officialy imported in France so no type approval is available in France -> SVA which turns out to be a lot trickier than in the UK. (in fact i already knew that) The standards are slightly different in France and more hassle but i think i'll manage for now. After the homologation it goes straight back to US spec with some extra's: ARH headers, heads, tune and some other goodies i have in mind.
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Old Oct 1, 2009 | 01:34 AM
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I re read the post and from what you say you have a US spec car. The fog light between the pipes makes that seem likely too. Like mine he probably modified the US wiring which is easy to do.

The PFYC harness is the same one as I fitted and is designed for the US spec wiring. It plugs into the connector under the frame near the rear passenger wheel well. It splits out the turn signals from the brake lights and provides four lamp holders for each function. You'd still have the problem of fast flash if you only use two T/S holders. The only way I know to fix it would be to fit bulbs in the redundant holders and zip tie them inside the rear bumper or fit resistors as you're trying to do.

Not sure if the flasher mod would fix it.

Heres the How To for the original fit for the harness:

http://www.c5forum.com/diy/reareuro/

Last edited by DeeGee; Oct 1, 2009 at 01:39 AM.
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