Toyota RAV4 Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

2013 blinker "mod?"

Jump to Latest
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
B

Bama13Rav

· Registered
Joined
·
6 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Got a set of these bad boys to put in today, but they don't have any supplemental harness and need to be wired in. Haven't seen a thread detailing the exact information im looking for so starting a new one in hopes that maybe someone knows a thread or has the info off hand.

Image

These are full functioning supplemental tail lights/blinkers that go in the rear bumper reflector location. The only function they don't have is reverse lighting. I am looking for which wires to tap into for each function ( on/run, stop, blinker) but am only seeing threads regarding a bunch of trailer hookup jobs that some are doing. Most of those colors don't match my 2013. My colors are pictured below.

Left side
Image


Right side
Image
 
#2 ·
You'll need a lighted probe or multimeter tester to see which wire is your turn and brake wires so you can tap into it

What do the aftermarket wires look like and how would you like them to function? Brake and turn signal?
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
yarisugi said:
You'll need a lighted probe or multimeter tester to see which wire is your turn and brake wires so you can tap into it

What do the aftermarket wires look like and how would you like them to function? Brake and turn signal?
Click to expand...
Yes I would like them to work as brake, turn and run/tail. They come with color code instructions and I've done things like this before, but never specific to this make and model. Only have today to get this done so I need to move fast once they are delivered. Just need to know what color does what functions
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
yarisugi said:
You'll need a lighted probe or multimeter tester to see which wire is your turn and brake wires so you can tap into it

What do the aftermarket wires look like and how would you like them to function? Brake and turn signal?
Click to expand...
Ok so about the wires, they are black negative, red brake positive, green tail/dry positive, and yellow turn positive.

I've checked my factory wire with a multi meter, they all have continuity to ground. Every single one of them. And the factory tail lights still work just fine. The lights fit the reflector holes quite well, but I don't have the correct size quick splices so im not getting good connection. If I cant figure out the correct wires for their functions before I lose day light, I'll just leave them as is until I can either find the information or it just drives me crazy whichever comes first lol
 
#5 ·
Ground on the factory piece is almost always white with black stripes. You can see it in the pictures.
The other 3 - green, green with white stripe, and green with black stripe are the + . you'll have to figure out which is which with the multimeter.
 
#6 ·
Just checking for "continuity" will depend a LOT on whether the bulbs are still in the circuit. A power wire will go through the bulb's filament and show "continuity" to ground. It is better to use a test light to probe the wire to see which wire has POWER, not ground.

I have a similar set of lights for my Sienna, but have not yet had the time to install them. However, since the lights only have three wires for input, they are only going to do a low-level and a high-level light. You will only have tail/brake function or tail/turn function unless you install an adapter for trailer towing. If you do that, be aware that if you have the brakes ON, then use the turn signal, the bumper lights will flash alternately with the turn signal. Happens with trailers all the time, so your bumper lights will do the same thing.

Personally, since the car has yellow turn signals and these lights are red, just stick to the tail/brake function and enjoy the redundancy and safety of extra lights.

.
 
#7 ·
Bama13Rav said:
Got a set of these bad boys to put in today, but they don't have any supplemental harness and need to be wired in. Haven't seen a thread detailing the exact information im looking for so starting a new one in hopes that maybe someone knows a thread or has the info off hand.

View attachment 214933
These are full functioning supplemental tail lights/blinkers that go in the rear bumper reflector location. The only function they don't have is reverse lighting. I am looking for which wires to tap into for each function ( on/run, stop, blinker) but am only seeing threads regarding a bunch of trailer hookup jobs that some are doing. Most of those colors don't match my 2013. My colors are pictured below.

Left side View attachment 214935

Right side
View attachment 214936
Click to expand...
Where did you purchase them? I have the older style in the bumper and would like to upgrade.

Have a good day.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Datsa Noydb said:
Just checking for "continuity" will depend a LOT on whether the bulbs are still in the circuit. A power wire will go through the bulb's filament and show "continuity" to ground. It is better to use a test light to probe the wire to see which wire has POWER, not ground.

I have a similar set of lights for my Sienna, but have not yet had the time to install them. However, since the lights only have three wires for input, they are only going to do a low-level and a high-level light. You will only have tail/brake function or tail/turn function unless you install an adapter for trailer towing. If you do that, be aware that if you have the brakes ON, then use the turn signal, the bumper lights will flash alternately with the turn signal. Happens with trailers all the time, so your bumper lights will do the same thing.

Personally, since the car has yellow turn signals and these lights are red, just stick to the tail/brake function and enjoy the redundancy and safety of extra lights.

.
Click to expand...
Yea that kinda the goal, because phones and general inattentive drivers...and the awful mess of them. Idiots per square mile problem I my area.

So would I be better to do a trailer light setup and them just tap into what I need from there?
 
#10 ·
Bama13Rav said:
Yea that kinda the goal, because phones and general inattentive drivers...and the awful mess of them. Idiots per square mile problem I my area.

So would I be better to do a trailer light setup and them just tap into what I need from there?
Click to expand...
By tapping into the wiring directly, you increase the circuit resistance letting you change the corresponding taillight/turn signal bulbs to LED bulbs avoiding the rapid flash error without adding a resistor. This is how I have my current ones setup.

I found them on eBay, then on Amazon at 1/2 the price.

Have a good day.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#11 ·
Bama13Rav said:
Yea that kinda the goal, because phones and general inattentive drivers...and the awful mess of them. Idiots per square mile problem I my area.

So would I be better to do a trailer light setup and them just tap into what I need from there?
Click to expand...
You could do that, but if you are not planning on towing a trailer, it would be extra expense.

And, as mentioned earlier, since the turn signals are yellow, adding an alternating red light (when the brakes are ON) might add to some confusion.

If it were mine, I would stick to using the extra lights simply as tail and brake, not including the turn signal function.

.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Datsa Noydb said:
You could do that, but if you are not planning on towing a trailer, it would be extra expense.

And, as mentioned earlier, since the turn signals are yellow, adding an alternating red light (when the brakes are ON) might add to some confusion.

If it were mine, I would stick to using the extra lights simply as tail and brake, not including the turn signal function.

.
Click to expand...
I completely glossed over the mention of that. In person, the turn signal function is actually yellow. I tested it by putting the wires directly to the battery, just to make sure, because amazon...but yea they turned out to be yellow. I don't have a Pic of that but can get one when I get back to town in 2 weeks. I travel for work...
 
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
About this Discussion
13 Replies
4 Participants
Last post:
yarisugi
Toyota RAV4 Forums
posts
1.1M
members
174K
Since
2004
Rav 4 World is the internet's largest Toyota Rav4 SUV and EV online forum community. Discuss towing, modifications, and more.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
4.3 General 4.3 Mechanical 4.5 RAV4 Hybrid (except Prime) 4.5 RAV4 Prime 4.3 Exterior