Author Topic: Comfort Blinker - Three Blink Blinker Install  (Read 7464 times)

DRTE30

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Comfort Blinker - Three Blink Blinker Install
« on: October 20, 2013, 03:59:43 AM »
Over the last few years, I have driven some newer BMW and VW models on occasion and one small, simple little thing that I noticed that I never was aware of before was the three-blink blinker that these cars would do when the turn signal lever was tapped.  Tap the turn signal stock, three blinks and auto turns off-  awesomeness right?  If you are familiar with this option in newer cars, then perhaps you can sympathies with me on how nice it is to have, especially after driving said modern car for some extent of time and getting back into your old E30 and not having this creature comofort.

This thread is a short and straight to the point write-up to veeeery lightly modify your old E30 to enjoy one small modern piece of technology.  For the purists, the solution is simple: before you get angry from the thought of someone vilifying their pure E30 without your permission, do me a favor and click the back button before cardiac arrest kicks in and you have no choice but to die from rage.  This is a how-to thread on performing this modification.  This is not a thread to open debate about your opinion on laziness and E30 purity- I don't care. Go cry into your pillow.

Last summer I set out to find a solution, and I was surprised that there actually was one.  So I must say, that I take no credit at all for this modifications origin, only that I performed it this afternoon with 100% success.  The first thread that I stumbled upon was from myE28, where a guy had successfully installed a relay from a VW/Audi into his car for the three blinker modification.  I was unable at the time (while in Switzerland) to find this relay on eBay or from some other discounter in America, so I was forced to order from Pelican and pay retail at $55.00.  I would wager that you can get this from a pick and pull for next to nothing, or simply hold out and find it on eBay or some other discounter if you're not in a rush.  However, aside from the relay its self, included was a female connection for the relay with 1ft long wire pigtails that I originally was not aware of in the purchase from Pelican and what also proved to be of great help in the installation.  Oh yeah...did I mention that you do not have to destroy your OEM wiring harness in the dash?  This is a "plug and play" modifcation.  Just about every piece of info is in the first post of this tread, but I will cliff note it all for those of you who want to get to the jest of this install/modification.  The original thread can be found here:
http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=97267&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Parts needed:
*VW/Audi Relay: 000 953 227A.
*5x tap splice connectors 18g. Google it if you are not familiar with these connectors.  Can be purchased anywhere there is modern civilization.
*.pdf print out of the hazard flasher wiring diagram to VW/Audi relay: http://www.davebarton.com/pdf/blinkerdiagram-E28.pdf
*simple hand tools.
*About twenty minutes of your precious time.

Steps for three-blinker comfort blinker:
1) Remove the glove box and associated pieces. I removed the glove box because it's easy, and allows for more working room.
2) Remove the trim pieces to the left of the glove box to expose the guts of the climate control, air ducting and electrical components.
3) Push out the hazard button from its secure spot above the radio. You should very easily be able to get your hand in there to perform this.
4) Unplug the hazard button from its harness.
5) Push the hazard button harness back through the mounting hole in the dash, and then pull it out over behind the radio and to where the glove box was.
6) Inspect the harness and familiarize yourself with the very tiny numbers for each pin so that you don't make any mistakes while crimping. One row is evens the other row is odds.  If you have hands like a bear, or really poor vision, then this may be awkward.
7) Use a print out of the .pdf so that you can follow what you're doing, but this is 2013, so you probably have your sweet iPad for this.  Note: Even though the colors in the diagram provided are different due to VW/Audi relay being installed originally on an E28, the pin out is exactly the same for your E30 hazard switch harness.  Simply crimp the proper VW/Audi relay pin # to the associated pin # on the emergency flasher harness in the diagram.
***Remember: Study the diagram closely before crimping!  Read four times; crimp once.
8 Use your trusty piggy back Tap Splice Connectors to tap into your OEM hazard harness wires.
9) For the ground, use the brown wire for the rear defrost as your ground for your VW/Audi relay.  This may take extra wire (I was able to do it with the provided pigtails that came from Pelican).
10) Before you put everything back together in the dash, install the hazard button back into its wiring harness.
11) Turn your car to "on", touch the blinker lever to signal and revel in the bad assed modernization of your old school ride as it blinks not once, not twice, but three times and cancels on its own. Holy F, did that really just happen? Yes, my friend- it sure did!
10) Once you've gotten over your mechanical prowess, install everything in reverse order like you were never in there.
« Last Edit: October 20, 2013, 04:02:54 AM by DRTE30 »

DesktopDave

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Re: Comfort Blinker - Three Blink Blinker Install
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2013, 10:21:08 AM »
Mods are fun.  I recall how advanced the E30 was back in the 80s - all sorts of practical gadgets.  The digital readouts were what really had me hooked, but lighting mods are a nice touch.  This mod has the advantage of being both functional and easily reversible.

I thought the E30 had this as an available option, IIRC in the later 'verts.  I couldn't find any proof though.  Anyone have a link?  I found lots of info about George Graves' great E30 mods from Red Rocket Labs though...
'08 Karmesinrot 128i 6MT
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Sold: '97 Montrealblau 318iS, '91 Brilliantrot 318i, '91 Brilliantrot 318iS

DRTE30

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Re: Comfort Blinker - Three Blink Blinker Install
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2013, 12:58:27 PM »
Modifications are fun, and this one in particular can be reversed in less time it took to install it.  What are these slick George Graves modifications? Feel free to post them in this thread.

DesktopDave

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Re: Comfort Blinker - Three Blink Blinker Install
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2013, 04:20:52 PM »
He made some really cool digital gauges.  His voltmeter/WBO2/narrowband gauges were LED bars in button blanks.  We all have a few button blanks, why not put one of his gauges in there?  Google's links to related R3v threads.

From what I've seen he also re-engineered the SI board readout for other purposes and created a one-touch board for power windows.  I'm sure there are more, but he's been inactive for a while.



'08 Karmesinrot 128i 6MT
'86 Zinnoberrot 635CSi (M30B32/G265/3.46 torsen LSD)

Sold: '97 Montrealblau 318iS, '91 Brilliantrot 318i, '91 Brilliantrot 318iS

keflaman

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Re: Comfort Blinker - Three Blink Blinker Install
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2013, 05:19:43 PM »
He made some really cool digital gauges.  His voltmeter/WBO2/narrowband gauges were LED bars in button blanks.  We all have a few button blanks, why not put one of his gauges in there?  Google's links to related R3v threads.

From what I've seen he also re-engineered the SI board readout for other purposes and created a one-touch board for power windows.  I'm sure there are more, but he's been inactive for a while.

I have George's time delay for interior lights. He has a lot of cool mods and his kits are top notch.

Thanks for posting this DIY. I have this feature on my 2013 Wrangler and keep forgetting to use it.

DRTE30

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Re: Comfort Blinker - Three Blink Blinker Install
« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2013, 07:36:49 PM »
He made some really cool digital gauges.  His voltmeter/WBO2/narrowband gauges were LED bars in button blanks.  We all have a few button blanks, why not put one of his gauges in there?  Google's links to related R3v threads.

From what I've seen he also re-engineered the SI board readout for other purposes and created a one-touch board for power windows.  I'm sure there are more, but he's been inactive for a while.

I have George's time delay for interior lights. He has a lot of cool mods and his kits are top notch.

Thanks for posting this DIY. I have this feature on my 2013 Wrangler and keep forgetting to use it.

Thanks for the link. Pretty interesting stuff.  Fascinating when a geek can bring cool things to a community.  It looks like he hasn't been making his gadgets for a few years now, though.

He made some really cool digital gauges.  His voltmeter/WBO2/narrowband gauges were LED bars in button blanks.  We all have a few button blanks, why not put one of his gauges in there?  Google's links to related R3v threads.

From what I've seen he also re-engineered the SI board readout for other purposes and created a one-touch board for power windows.  I'm sure there are more, but he's been inactive for a while.

I have George's time delay for interior lights. He has a lot of cool mods and his kits are top notch.

Thanks for posting this DIY. I have this feature on my 2013 Wrangler and keep forgetting to use it.

The time delay, do you mean as if you were to shut your door, the interior lights fade off?

keflaman

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Re: Comfort Blinker - Three Blink Blinker Install
« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2013, 08:31:01 PM »
Yup. 

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=296371&highlight=delay

Pricey, but I will have it at some point! :P
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=287357&highlight=delay

Wish I were a geek instead of just a super cool dude... 8)

DRTE30

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Re: Comfort Blinker - Three Blink Blinker Install
« Reply #7 on: October 21, 2013, 01:54:39 AM »
Yup. 

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=296371&highlight=delay

Pricey, but I will have it at some point! :P
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=287357&highlight=delay

Wish I were a geek instead of just a super cool dude... 8)

Oh my gosh...the dimmer is so rad.  I cannot afford the window switches, cause I'm in college, but the dimmer, when you turn the key on it dims...so cool!

EDIT: I went ahead and ordered the dimmer. He's got a sale on them right now.  Thank you for the link, and again, please feel free to discuss modern amenities in cool old cars.
« Last Edit: October 21, 2013, 02:01:37 AM by DRTE30 »

DesktopDave

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Re: Comfort Blinker - Three Blink Blinker Install
« Reply #8 on: October 21, 2013, 01:00:27 PM »
Wish I were a geek instead of just a super cool dude... 8)

Why not be both?   ;D

I've been turning different possibilities over in my head for years.  I love the E30 as a driving machine, but a little more tech wouldn't be bad.  I've already added bluetooth hands free and MP3 playback with an updated head unit.  Given how cheap old Garmins are, I might integrate one of them sooner or later too.

I've also been thinking about built-in upgrades.  Most involve an update to the Siemens OBC (13-button).  That little coding chip is pretty easy to read, and I think I could duplicate them with cheap EEPROMS instead of those original bipoloar PROMs.  That would make for easy updates - no burning new chips every time you want to update code.  I've talked to a few old school chip guys about these antiques - I even found the original specs - with a little work it'd be easy to decode.  Imagine writing chips for M5x or even LS1 swaps - any motor would be a piece of cake. 

I think it'd be plausible to adapt later E34/E36/E38 bits to the E30.  It's especially easy with our cars - the M42 was designed from the start to work with the updated systems.  The big downside is the pixel and capacitor durability problems in the later cars.

I always liked the E34 gauge cluster status area.  Having one of those in the E30 cluster would be a nice upgrade AFAIC.  It'd ruin OEM originality though.
'08 Karmesinrot 128i 6MT
'86 Zinnoberrot 635CSi (M30B32/G265/3.46 torsen LSD)

Sold: '97 Montrealblau 318iS, '91 Brilliantrot 318i, '91 Brilliantrot 318iS