Corner Delete Mod (No Amber Light)

[SoCal4Run]

Tried bringing this up in my other thread, but not really getting attention, so I thought I would start this as others may be interested. On my previous car, BMW E90, there was a mod referred to as the "corner delete mod". This would eliminate the amber bulb being on full time, but rather just blink while the turn signal is being used.

I am wondering what the easiest way is to accomplish this. Obviously on BMW's, they are so computer heavy that it would throw a code if you did not have a bulb in there, etc. Wondering if it's the same with our 4runners. Also, was just wondering if i could clip/cover the source to the filament that stays on all the time so that it would only blink, or is this not possible?

Thanks for the help and thoughts.

 

[eddiebx]

Tried bringing this up in my other thread, but not really getting attention, so I thought I would start this as others may be interested. On my previous car, BMW E90, there was a mod referred to as the "corner delete mod". This would eliminate the amber bulb being on full time, but rather just blink while the turn signal is being used.

I am wondering what the easiest way is to accomplish this. Obviously on BMW's, they are so computer heavy that it would throw a code if you did not have a bulb in there, etc. Wondering if it's the same with our 4runners. Also, was just wondering if i could clip/cover the source to the filament that stays on all the time so that it would only blink, or is this not possible?

Thanks for the help and thoughts.

This is just a guess, but I am pretty sure the Toyota parking light wiring is not as advance as the BMW, so you can probably just snip the lamp as you please w/o throwing an error code.

If I was to try this, what I would do is add in an in line relay to that that corner lamp circuit, and power the relay by the front turn signals. This would probably make it blink the way you want it to. Of course before you start cutting into the wires, pull out the bulb and test to see if it will all work fine and dandy w/o the bulb in there.

 

[WODWorldWide]

Easiest way to mod this is buy a 2014. The switch has 4 positions instead of 3 to turn the day time running lights off. But in all seriousness I wonder if you could compare the 2014 wiring to the 2013 and below.

 

[SoCal4Run]

Easiest way to mod this is buy a 2014. The switch has 4 positions instead of 3 to turn the day time running lights off. But in all seriousness I wonder if you could compare the 2014 wiring to the 2013 and below.

Uh, I do have a 2014. But when I turn on the headlights, the Amber corner bulbs are in too. That's what I'm trying to stop.

 

[SoCal4Run]

This is just a guess, but I am pretty sure the Toyota parking light wiring is not as advance as the BMW, so you can probably just snip the lamp as you please w/o throwing an error code.

If I was to try this, what I would do is add in an in line relay to that that corner lamp circuit, and power the relay by the front turn signals. This would probably make it blink the way you want it to. Of course before you start cutting into the wires, pull out the bulb and test to see if it will all work fine and dandy w/o the bulb in there.

I just wanted to make sure I'm picturing correctly what you are suggesting. Are you basically saying cut the bulb sticker from wires then splice in a line just going from turn signal power to socket? Would it be easier (after determining no error occurs) to just cut the one wire feeding the constant in filament?

 

[Ducmonsta]

In my '11, I ran without the corner marker for a long time. No ill effects. I'm betting you can just run the ground wire to the corner lamp from the turn signal. The 4r have a switching ground for lights. You could probably experiment with this to get different effects of lighting. For example, corner flash, corner steady with daytime running lights, on with flash only, etc.

 

[SoCal4Run]

In my '11, I ran without the corner marker for a long time. No ill effects. I'm betting you can just run the ground wire to the corner lamp from the turn signal. The 4r have a switching ground for lights. You could probably experiment with this to get different effects of lighting. For example, corner flash, corner steady with daytime running lights, on with flash only, etc.

Yeah, hoping to play around with it a little tonight and figure what I can do. Hopefully I can get a voltmeter on something to get readings of what's going on.

 

[WODWorldWide]

Uh, I do have a 2014. But when I turn on the headlights, the Amber corner bulbs are in too. That's what I'm trying to stop.

Ah, sorry I misread that. I thought you meant you wanted the DTRL to turn off when the lights were off as well (something that the 4th gen dealt with). I did not read that you wanted them off while the headlights were on. My B.

 

[superwhite]

I just replaced the amber bulbs last week with chrome mirrored ones. Super easy--just remove the very real panels in cargo area and change out the uppermost bulbs. Make sure your fingers don't touch the new bulbs, the oils will cause damage. They are 7440's and I bought these ones:

7440 992 Chromed Silver Mirror Surface Amber Bulbs Custom Upgrade Pair Sport | eBay

I'll get some pics off my iPhone in a minute!

 

[superwhite]

By the way, I realize this might not be exactly what you're looking to accomplish if you want the light off all the way besides when blinkering, but you do have flexibility to choose color and the look when the light's off.

My bulbs are actually a little too white for me when on. They're like a super faint yellow. But there are all sorts of other options out there and I'll likely try a couple more until I get one I'm happy with.

As far as making any computer aware of what I did, I'm pretty sure the Runner hasn't a clue. Might be different if I kept a bulb out altogether, but no issues on this front for me...

Here are the before and after pics!

 

[SoCal4Run]

Ah, sorry I misread that. I thought you meant you wanted the DTRL to turn off when the lights were off as well (something that the 4th gen dealt with). I did not read that you wanted them off while the headlights were on. My B.

Totally read that whole post while staring at your avatar of Crosby.

 

[superwhite]

Oh shoot, did you not mean the taillights?!
:redbrick:

Well, hopefully my post gave an idea to someone!

 

[eddiebx]

I just wanted to make sure I'm picturing correctly what you are suggesting. Are you basically saying cut the bulb sticker from wires then splice in a line just going from turn signal power to socket? Would it be easier (after determining no error occurs) to just cut the one wire feeding the constant in filament?

Sorry, I didn't realize you were talking about a 2014...I was thinking about a 10'-13' where the corner and turn signal are separate bulbs. What kind of bulb is in your 2014 corner, a dual filament? If so, when the parking lights are on, is the corner lit with the dimmer filament and the turn signal is through the brighter filament?

 

[SoCal4Run]

Sorry, I didn't realize you were talking about a 2014...I was thinking about a 10'-13' where the corner and turn signal are separate bulbs. What kind of bulb is in your 2014 corner, a dual filament? If so, when the parking lights are on, is the corner lit with the dimmer filament and the turn signal is through the brighter filament?

Looked at lunch really quick. Seemed like a dual filament bulb.

 

[eddiebx]

Looked at lunch really quick. Seemed like a dual filament bulb.

Hmm...if this is the case, perhaps you can sacrifice one bulb and snip off the wire contact for that lower wattage filament and put it back in to see if it causes any issues?

I am assuming it's a wedge bulb where the contacts at the base are just folded over wire. Like this:

This way, you don't modify anything you can't fix with just a new bulb (in case it doesn't work)

 

[SoCal4Run]

Hmm...if this is the case, perhaps you can sacrifice one bulb and snip off the wire contact for that lower wattage filament and put it back in to see if it causes any issues?

I am assuming it's a wedge bulb where the contacts at the base are just folded over wire. Like this:

This way, you don't modify anything you can't fix with just a new bulb (in case it doesn't work)

Yeah, this is exactly what I was thinking. However, the MacGyver question is which wire contact to cut?

 

[SoCal4Run]

Alright, so it wasn't as hard as I thought. You can see which wire runs down and curls underneath. The taller filament is the "always on" one and the shorter is the "blinker". So figure out which wire, use a flat blade to pry it up, and wire cutters to cut it off. Works like a charm No code or warning or anything. Now time to get some new bulbs to get rid of the orange glow. While I was in there, I went ahead and just removed the side marker bulb as well.

I guess I just became used to the BMW throwing codes with LED's and bulbs that were out and what not. Glad to be back in a Toyota. So this leads to my next question. Are there no issues with installing LED's without resistors or such? Every LED installed on the BMW required a resistor to not throw codes.