Tricky electrical tech question

monkeyracing · 09-23-2003, 01:26 AM

Alrighty, this is gonna be a good one, since it involves a Canadian model car. The background: in 1994 all Saturns sold in Canada came with daytime running lights. They utilized the front turn signals for this purpose. As you can guess, this makes hooking up sidemarkers kind tricky. All of the wiring diagrams available are for US models, so there's not too much help there.

I now have 2 options for hooking up my sidemarkers. The first is to splice into the rear wire pack somewhere near the front of the car, and the second is to splice in to the directional indicator wiring under the dash, prior to where to gets to the DRL circuit.

So, what I need to know is....where did Saturn run the rear wiring in the passenger compartment. I found it under the rear seat yesterday, and it appeared to be running towards the driver's side rocker panel. Yes? No? Does it run up the center somehow?

Or....where do you figure would be a good spot under the dash or console to splice into the "master" signal wires? I don't figure that at the switch would be cool, as that's a pre-relay area.

Any thoughts?

Jim

tristanlee85 · 09-23-2003, 03:46 AM

So, are you saying you want your side markers on along with your DRL or do you want them to blink as a turn signal, or neither...?

monkeyracing · 09-23-2003, 03:21 PM

I want the sidemarkers completely legal. That means that they only turn on in conjunction with the turn signals.

A lot of people have them wired so they're on all the time, but that is illegal, and a grumpy cop will nail you for it.

If I can figure out where the rear harness goes to as it moves forward, I think that would be my best bet. The way I figure it, there's a lot of people here who've gutted their interiors at some point and they might have an idea.

Jim

**Ssicarman** · 09-24-2003, 02:21 AM

As far as I know the front side marker on Saturns are only supposed to come on with the park/headlamps. They're not designed to act a a signal light. What year is your car? I'll try to check the service manual at work to be sure and if we get any first gen cars in I'll double check on them.

monkeyracing · 09-24-2003, 04:36 PM

I'm actually installing a separate set of sidemarkers to act as turn signals. My exisiting side markers will retain their current function of being on when the lights are on.

The car is a 94 SL1, BTW.

Ssicarman, you're a Canadian Saturn tech? Me an' you are gonna be good pals.

Jim

**Ssicarman** · 09-25-2003, 03:36 AM

Thanks for the MY info. I'll try to check tomorrow. My first thought though is have you checkedthe wiring at the DRL's? Not only are the front ambers DRL lights but they are the front signals as well. The bulb is a double filiament bulb and by logic (that's what you use until you find out that automotive engeneers don't use it) you should be able to tap into the the signal wire going to the front amber bulb.

monkeyracing · 09-25-2003, 06:43 AM

The way it looks is that the "signal" wire is hot when the DRLs are on. That basically says to me that both filaments are lit up when the DRLs are on, or when the turn signal is on. I guess that's how you get the brightness out of 'em.

So, I figured hacking into the rear body harness would be easier, as the signal lights on the rear serve only the one function.

Thanks for your help. Let me know what you can when you can, no rush.

Jim

**Ssicarman** · 09-27-2003, 03:40 AM

Had a look at the service manual and a 93 that was in the shop (wired at the front the same as yours). I am sure that there is a way that you could tap into the front signal wiring and make it work but it would take a good bit of figuring and fudging. Sometimes it's just a lot better to go the easy way---tap into the rear signal lights.

If the wiring is run the same as the newer models the harness to the rear should be behind the outer kick panel on the drivers side and run down that side.

monkeyracing · 09-28-2003, 02:01 AM

Cool, thanks. I'll have some time this week to fudge with it maybe. I'll let you know how it goes.

Jim