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Can lower turn signals be added to US spec EV6?

11525 Views 89 Replies 28 Participants Last post by kyle11111, 5 h ago

evboost

Discussion Starter · Apr 3, 2022 (Edited by Moderator)

I feel like we got dupped with the weird chrome strips instead of the lower turn signal lights like the other markets. Does anyone know if it might be possible to buy the lower lights from another market and install them on a US car?

Also, I wonder what US DOT rule having lower turn signal lights breaks? It seems odd, I have also read that sequential turn signals are not allowed. Despite this, I saw an Audi Q4 the other day that had sequential turn signals, was this a modification or did they come that way?

Reactions: 2

41 - 60 of 90 Posts

alexw

· #41 · 3 mo ago

Manticore said:
Regrettably there is not a plug and play solution. North American cars lack the computer logic to control the sequential lamps (front and back). The rear brake and turn signal elements are combined, you can't isolate the turn signal from the brake lights. Lastly, the European spec turn signals DO NOT meet current federal safety standards, so you would likely be jailed or deported. Even if it were possible from an electronics perspective (it is, but crazy complicated), the cost of the taillights, perforated trim, electronics and wiring would approach $2,000.
I love the sequential turn signals and was major disappointed when we didn't get them. I have the skills to make the mods. But I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a feature I can't even see when I drive the car. (And makes my car illegal to operate on public roads.)

Is this based on poking around KGIS/primary research, or hearsay? The "computer logic to control sequential lamps" makes no sense: it'd be insane to implement a zillion wires for each segment back to the main controller, rather than an individual wire with a local sequence controller embedded into the light assembly. The rear lights are a bit different since turn and brake are the same lamp and only require one signal, though IIRC from last time I was in KGIS, the harness has an extra plug or maybe just pin on it not used in north america - that may well be "turn." There's also a whole 6-pin plug tied off in the left-rear area, not sure what it's for but could be lamp-related.

alansh42

· #42 · 3 mo ago

Here's the pin out for the rear combination lamp for the US. I have to believe it's more complex for the animated lights.

alexw

· #43 · 3 mo ago

alansh42 said:
Here's the pin out for the rear combination lamp for the US. I have to believe it's more complex for the animated lights.

That pinout IS insufficient for lamps with separated stop and turn signals (stop/turn is a combined signal, and telltale is the return signal for whether the light is indeed on, to alert the driver with a warning light if the lam is disabled).

Edit: Ahh, yeah, here's our identical conversation from last year

Apples

· #44 · 3 mo ago

Jailed or deported for illegal turn signals? Can't tell if that's hyperbole or whether you believe that..........

Reactions: 1

alexw

· #45 · 3 mo ago

Apples said:
Jailed or deported for illegal turn signals? Can't tell if that's hyperbole or whether you believe that..........

I’d take a $100 under on “pulled over, ever, even once”

Manticore

· #46 · 3 mo ago

Apples said:
Jailed or deported for illegal turn signals? Can't tell if that's hyperbole or whether you believe that..........

Strictly hyperbole. I usually exaggerate to the extreme to make it obvious, but I was in a hurry. I try to keep it light because some participants get way too serious about how their turn signals operate.

Reactions: 2

Apples

· #47 · 3 mo ago

Manticore said:
Strictly hyperbole. I usually exaggerate to the extreme to make it obvious, but I was in a hurry. I try to keep it light because some participants get way too serious about how their turn signals operate.

Hahaha, ok. Thanks for the laugh.

Petteriusa

· #48 · 3 mo ago

Manticore said:
Regrettably there is not a plug and play solution. North American cars lack the computer logic to control the sequential lamps (front and back). The rear brake and turn signal elements are combined, you can't isolate the turn signal from the brake lights. Lastly, the European spec turn signals DO NOT meet current federal safety standards, so you would likely be jailed or deported. Even if it were possible from an electronics perspective (it is, but crazy complicated), the cost of the taillights, perforated trim, electronics and wiring would approach $2,000.
I love the sequential turn signals and was major disappointed when we didn't get them. I have the skills to make the mods. But I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a feature I can't even see when I drive the car. (And makes my car illegal to operate on public roads.)

Well, that's disappointing. If it were a matter of even just a swap of the lights and wiring I'd consider it, but if it's really confirmed that the North American ECU doesn't know how to deal with the EU tail lamps then that really does make it mission impossible, or beyond reasonable at least for me. I'd put in the money for the lamps and wiring, but an ECU swap or anything of the like sounds just too risky. I'm really more interested in the amber lamps than the sequential lighting, so I might just look and see if that's a more viable option, but if the entire assembly lights up, that's another hurdle. Sigh.

I know it's tongue in cheek, but I ran with Euro tail lamps on VW Golf for years, never a peep from anyone.

tonester

· #49 · 3 mo ago

Manticore said:
Strictly hyperbole. I usually exaggerate to the extreme to make it obvious, but I was in a hurry. I try to keep it light because some participants get way too serious about how their turn signals operate.

Wait--people (here in the U.S.) actually use their turn signals?

alexw

· #50 · 3 mo ago

tonester said:
Wait--people (here in the U.S.) actually use their turn signals?

When showing off $2000 upgrades, damn right!

Reactions: 1

arnsbrae

· #51 · 3 mo ago

.

tonester

· #52 · 3 mo ago

alexw said:
When showing off $2000 upgrades, damn right!

LOL, like when aftermarket HID bulbs first came out and all of the ricers would have their headlights turned on during daylight hours just so they can show off their cool HIDs.

alexw

· #53 · 3 mo ago

tonester said:
LOL, like when aftermarket HID bulbs first came out and all of the ricers would have their headlights turned on during daylight hours just so they can show off their cool HIDs.

Hey man, safety's safety!

Until it's blindingly bright yellow-af fog lights 24/7

kyle11111

· #54 · 16 d ago (Edited)

Here is the ETM for the EU EV6 that could help with this project: 2023 Kia EV6 (EU) Electronic Troubleshooting Manual.pdf

Also, here is the ETM for the US EV6 for comparison: 2023 Kia EV6 (US) Electronic Troubleshooting Manual.pdf

NOTE: Open in Adobe to see organized bookmarks!

Reactions: 2

alansh42

· #55 · 16 d ago

Unfortunately no one from outside the US has posted pinouts or schematics. The US version has one wire for taillights, and one for turn/stop. There's no wiring for the lower lights.

kyle11111

· #56 · 16 d ago

alansh42 said:
Unfortunately no one from outside the US has posted pinouts or schematics. The US version has one wire for taillights, and one for turn/stop. There's no wiring for the lower lights.

That is for the EU version

kyle11111

· #57 · 16 d ago (Edited)

I believe this will work by just adding the lamps and associated wires. If not it'll require a software mod as well. Here is an easy comparison between the EU and US models. Only three wires required (Hazard lamp actuator is all tied together for all lamps). The connector on the US ICU does not have those pins populated, so could just push in a wire and test with a multimeter.

Rectangle Font Parallel Pattern Slope

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alansh42

· #58 · 16 d ago

There's got to be some sort of programming, otherwise the brake light will still blink with the turn signal.

kyle11111

· #59 · 15 d ago

Unless the presence of a separate turn signal load automatically configures it for lower turns.

kyle11111

· #60 · 12 d ago

So after going through the diagrams, DTC guide and using a multimeter on the car, these cannot be retrofitted to match the UK wiring BUT one could theoretically wire the turn signals to the mirror turn signal wires, the brake lights to the center stop light and it should work as long as the car doesn't trip with overcurrent protection on those circuits. The wires are all easily accessible at the interior fuse box. Just extra brake wires would need to be pulled from the tailgate to the side brake lights. The rest would be a rearrangement/splicing of wires by the interior fuse box. If I can get my hands on the turn signals (or at least one turn signal) I'll try it out.

Reactions: 3

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