HID Retrofit - LED switchback wiring help

[Hoju]

I recently purchased a morimoto mini D2S 4.0 HID retrofit kit with the panamera LED switchback shrouds for my 2013 Limited. I'm about 3/4's of the way through the and I have been pondering how to wire the LED switchbacks.

My main issue is my truck comes with DRL's which also function as the front turn signals. So as far as I understand, if I connect the switchback shrouds to my DRL/front turn signals, the shrouds will light up white when the truck is on, but will flash on and off (still white) as the DRL module goes into the turn signal mode as there are only 2 wires to tap into

Does anyone have any insight as to how I should wire this so the white shroud LED's are always on when the truck is on but turn amber when the turn signal is initiated.

I feel that I may be missing something that is right in front of me that is the simplest way to wire them.


Side by side:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/xoExPdtqsKKdkw9t5

Pic of LED switchback
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3vu1FDsi3YKKj8Mm6

 

[diodia]

I'm in a similar position right now with halos for my quad projector retrofit.

The stock DRL circuit is useless, as it will not be able to provide enough voltage, and as you mention - will be off during turn signal time.

What I plan on doing is disabling DRL altogether as per here and running the halos with ignition ON. I'll most likely add an in-line switch, in case I need to be less flashy at times :biggrin2:

This would also be a solution for you.

 

[Hoju]

I'm in a similar position right now with halos for my quad projector retrofit.

The stock DRL circuit is useless, as it will not be able to provide enough voltage, and as you mention - will be off during turn signal time.

What I plan on doing is disabling DRL altogether as per here and running the halos with ignition ON. I'll most likely add an in-line switch, in case I need to be less flashy at times :biggrin2:

This would also be a solution for you.

Damn, that was I thought I may have to do, but was hoping i was overlooking something. Thanks for your reply diodia!

 

[diodia]

Damn, that was I thought I may have to do, but was hoping i was overlooking something. Thanks for your reply diodia!

Yeah, I was hoping for something else too. Ideally, they'd act as DRLs. But then I wanted them to also be on with normal lights.... And then the circuitry gets complicated.

If you figure out a different way of wiring it, please post it here. My wiring isn't final yet

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I would tap them to a 12v constant when the vehicle is on, there are a few empty fuses that are on with the key turn that you could use. I wouldn't mess with the DRL's/turn signals.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

Sure you're not looking at the side marker light not the turn signal? Should be 3 wires to the turn signal (at least is on 14+).
My switchback install

 

[diodia]

Sure you're not looking at the side marker light not the turn signal? Should be 3 wires to the turn signal (at least is on 14+).
My switchback install

**I might be wrong on this one**

When you wired up the switchbacks to marker lights, are those lights only on when you have the low/high beams ON or are they also ON when DRLs are on? I have my grille LEDs wired into the marker light, and it is only on when the main beams are on.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

**I might be wrong on this one**

When you wired up the switchbacks to marker lights, are those lights only on when you have the low/high beams ON or are they also ON when DRLs are on? I have my grille LEDs wired into the marker light, and it is only on when the main beams are on.

Sorry, didn't catch earlier that you're working with a 13 model 5th gen. This should be more helpful!

The side markers should be on any time the parking lights are on, including the parking lights only mode which also keeps the DRL on 14+. You
My switchbacks replaced the existing turn signals. OEM turn signals should be on solid as running lights with parking and headlight modes, then flash when signalling turn. Hence the installed switchback 7443 LEDs use a white LED circuit for constant voltage on the running light wire, and an amber LED circuit for the turn signal wire, both share a common ground (white/black wire). The color of the running light and turn signal wires changes depending on which turn signal socket you're working with, in that post link I listed the turn signal wires based on which socket (14+), the remaining wire would be on the parking or running light circuit.

Since you want your switchback's white with the DRL's on, you'd normally have to wire the white LED positive wire into the DRL circuit, the amber LED positive wire to the turn signal wire on each side, and of course ground to ground. This would only get the white LED's on while the DRL's are on. With your 13, that may be all the time (unless selected off by switch). 14+ the DRL only operate when headlights are off (the will operate with parking lights on). Hence the easiest way to wire this would be the White LED pos wire to a circuit which is hot any time the vehicle is on.

The issue you're having is because the 10-13 use the low bumper amber DRL as a turn signal by flashing the 12v+ signal to the light, hence no need for a third wire. Tapped into this circuit, your WhiteLED circuit will be solid with the DRL, then flash white with the turn signal when the DRL flashes.

To get this to work properly in 10-13 5th gens:
Tap your WhiteLED+ wire into an ignition on circuit (NOT the DRL because it flashes)
Tap the AmberLED+ into the turn signal wires near the headlight housing (NOT the running light circuit, or the DRL)
Then ground to ground (duh!)
The switchback controller will receive WhiteLED any time the truck is on & AmberLED anytime the appropriate turn signal is activated.
This is of course assuming you have one of those little black controller boxes for each side.

 

[Hoju]

Sorry, didn't catch earlier that you're working with a 13 model 5th gen. This should be more helpful!

The side markers should be on any time the parking lights are on, including the parking lights only mode which also keeps the DRL on 14+. You
My switchbacks replaced the existing turn signals. OEM turn signals should be on solid as running lights with parking and headlight modes, then flash when signalling turn. Hence the installed switchback 7443 LEDs use a white LED circuit for constant voltage on the running light wire, and an amber LED circuit for the turn signal wire, both share a common ground (white/black wire). The color of the running light and turn signal wires changes depending on which turn signal socket you're working with, in that post link I listed the turn signal wires based on which socket (14+), the remaining wire would be on the parking or running light circuit.

Since you want your switchback's white with the DRL's on, you'd normally have to wire the white LED positive wire into the DRL circuit, the amber LED positive wire to the turn signal wire on each side, and of course ground to ground. This would only get the white LED's on while the DRL's are on. With your 13, that may be all the time (unless selected off by switch). 14+ the DRL only operate when headlights are off (the will operate with parking lights on). Hence the easiest way to wire this would be the White LED pos wire to a circuit which is hot any time the vehicle is on.

The issue you're having is because the 10-13 use the low bumper amber DRL as a turn signal by flashing the 12v+ signal to the light, hence no need for a third wire. Tapped into this circuit, your WhiteLED circuit will be solid with the DRL, then flash white with the turn signal when the DRL flashes.

To get this to work properly in 10-13 5th gens:
Tap your WhiteLED+ wire into an ignition on circuit (NOT the DRL because it flashes)
Tap the AmberLED+ into the turn signal wires near the headlight housing (NOT the running light circuit, or the DRL)
Then ground to ground (duh!)
The switchback controller will receive WhiteLED any time the truck is on & AmberLED anytime the appropriate turn signal is activated.
This is of course assuming you have one of those little black controller boxes for each side.

I think you've nailed what I need to do. The only thing that will have to be done differently is finding a turn signal wire as the only turn signal wire on the 10-13 is the lower bumper turn signal lights which also function as the drl's (therefore can't be used in the method I want) and then the side marker lights on the side mirrors ( which is too far away to easily tap). Surprisingly the is no turn signal within the headlight itself. :noidea:

There must be something in the fuse block under the hood to tap into, possibly pre relay or at least I know I'll find one on the fuse panel under the dash. Hopefully someone has knowledge of the best place to tap?? l.E. which wire harness/ wire color??

And yes I do have the black controller for each switchback so this should be simple in theory lol

 

[diodia]

Sorry, didn't catch earlier that you're working with a 13 model 5th gen. This should be more helpful!

The side markers should be on any time the parking lights are on, including the parking lights only mode which also keeps the DRL on 14+. You
My switchbacks replaced the existing turn signals. OEM turn signals should be on solid as running lights with parking and headlight modes, then flash when signalling turn. Hence the installed switchback 7443 LEDs use a white LED circuit for constant voltage on the running light wire, and an amber LED circuit for the turn signal wire, both share a common ground (white/black wire). The color of the running light and turn signal wires changes depending on which turn signal socket you're working with, in that post link I listed the turn signal wires based on which socket (14+), the remaining wire would be on the parking or running light circuit.

Since you want your switchback's white with the DRL's on, you'd normally have to wire the white LED positive wire into the DRL circuit, the amber LED positive wire to the turn signal wire on each side, and of course ground to ground. This would only get the white LED's on while the DRL's are on. With your 13, that may be all the time (unless selected off by switch). 14+ the DRL only operate when headlights are off (the will operate with parking lights on). Hence the easiest way to wire this would be the White LED pos wire to a circuit which is hot any time the vehicle is on.

The issue you're having is because the 10-13 use the low bumper amber DRL as a turn signal by flashing the 12v+ signal to the light, hence no need for a third wire. Tapped into this circuit, your WhiteLED circuit will be solid with the DRL, then flash white with the turn signal when the DRL flashes.

To get this to work properly in 10-13 5th gens:
Tap your WhiteLED+ wire into an ignition on circuit (NOT the DRL because it flashes)
Tap the AmberLED+ into the turn signal wires near the headlight housing (NOT the running light circuit, or the DRL)
Then ground to ground (duh!)
The switchback controller will receive WhiteLED any time the truck is on & AmberLED anytime the appropriate turn signal is activated.
This is of course assuming you have one of those little black controller boxes for each side.

Working with '16 on mine - and the above confirms what I was thinking of doing. Thanks a ton for taking the time to write this up!

 

[Friggin Idiot]

I think you've nailed what I need to do. The only thing that will have to be done differently is finding a turn signal wire as the only turn signal wire on the 10-13 is the lower bumper turn signal lights which also function as the drl's (therefore can't be used in the method I want) and then the side marker lights on the side mirrors ( which is too far away to easily tap). Surprisingly the is no turn signal within the headlight itself. :noidea:

There's no turn signal in the 13 headlights? That seems odd, I thought they were required. I haven't worked on one, but I'd say check the side marker socket and see if there's 3 wires going to it. If there are, one of them should be a turn signal wire, check it with a multimeter.

 

[Hoju]

There's no turn signal in the 13 headlights? That seems odd, I thought they were required. I haven't worked on one, but I'd say check the side marker socket and see if there's 3 wires going to it. If there are, one of them should be a turn signal wire, check it with a multimeter.

Yes I'm 100% positive. Checked the wiring which is only 2 wires, and also checked the manual which lists it only as a parking light. I never realized this until I started this project and would probably argued the opposite prior

 

[Friggin Idiot]

Yes I'm 100% positive. Checked the wiring which is only 2 wires, and also checked the manual which lists it only as a parking light. I never realized this until I started this project and would probably argued the opposite prior

Sorry I'm not going to be much more help without a 10-13 to reference. Maybe the great [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] has an idea?

 

[bboy626]

Resurecting old thread....has anyone figured how to get the amber led on panamera shroud to signal as discussed in this thread on a 2010-2013 4Runner? The vendor suggested tapping to reAr signal wire which logically should work.

 

[bboy626]

Installed the HID retrofit kit today with panorama switchbacks on a 2012 4runner. Because I ran dedicated wiring and push-button switch for the switchbacks, I was able to get the amber signal to work by tapping into the DRY/Signal light wiring.

Originally wasn't sure if it was going to work, but since the wiring was out, it doesnt hurt to give it a try, and glad I did.

For the dedicated wiring, I went with the NiLight brand from Amazon. I then picked up a light switch and tapped into existing switches gray and green wiring for backlight.

Kit was from [MENTION=128345]kustom54lighting[/MENTION], owner provided great troubleshooting skills, and lights are awesome.

Was thinking about keeping the OEM lights but once you go HID, there aint no going back!

 

[Hoju]

Hey, i'm not sure what you mean by DRY/Signal wire? Do you have pictures? I still don't have my switchbacks wired properly (mainly because I became complacent with them not working as intended haha).

And I believe I have mine wired similarly to yours though a switch, but would love more detail on how you did your wiring to make the amber work.

Thanks

Installed the HID retrofit kit today with panorama switchbacks on a 2012 4runner. Because I ran dedicated wiring and push-button switch for the switchbacks, I was able to get the amber signal to work by tapping into the DRY/Signal light wiring.

Originally wasn't sure if it was going to work, but since the wiring was out, it doesnt hurt to give it a try, and glad I did.

For the dedicated wiring, I went with the NiLight brand from Amazon. I then picked up a light switch and tapped into existing switches gray and green wiring for backlight.

Kit was from [MENTION=128345]kustom54lighting[/MENTION], owner provided great troubleshooting skills, and lights are awesome.

Was thinking about keeping the OEM lights but once you go HID, there aint no going back!

 

[bboy626]

For my 2012 model, I tapped the positive DRL/Signal wire, and connected it to the positive wire of the amber switchback. Ground is ground. As for the switch, I ran an independent harness which one end connect to the switchbacks, and the other end to the switch. Hope that helps. I do not have any pics.

 

[Hoju]

ahhh, i think i understand what I need to do and how it will work. Going to give it a try tomorrow!