Easy Mod that went wrong, SAVED!!:)

WhiteRider · **Posted:** Sat Mar 23, 2013 10:16 pm

Normally I would have done something like this blindfolded, but have run into a MAJOR problem!

I was adding some LED strips to my headlights today, pretty simple mod right?

Got the drivers side installed and was just trying to decide if I wanted to hook the positive connection from the LED to my headlights or the side markers. Hooked it up ok to headlight no problem. Then I pulled out the side marker bulb and was about to connect the positive to that for test.

Suddenly I started hearing a "ticking" sound coming from the fuse box. When I went to turn headlights off (thinking that would be the problem) I noticed my dash display flashing kinda weird. I quickly disconnected negative from the battery.

When I reconnected, no power period. Doesn't even click when I turn the key! :dead:

I have tried checking fuses, and cant seem to find any that are blown. But the grey "box" looking fuses I'm not sure I would know how to tell with these. Also thought maybe I somehow overloaded the LED strip, but both of them still work fine.

Really hoping somebody has a suggestion!? :banghead:

bettyhumpter · **Joined:** Fri Mar 22, 2013 11:23 pm **Posts:** 30

have not been in the fuse box in my jeep yet, but in other vehicles i have owned there are some fuses that reset themselves. Have you tried to reconnect the power? You could have also fried a maxi fuse? Was it a fast ticking sound? Did you see or smell any smoke?

Any more info?

WhiteRider · **Posted:** Sat Mar 23, 2013 10:47 pm

The ticking started fairly slow, almost didn't notice it at first. As it started to get faster, thats when I hopped into the truck to turn the lights off. Ticking didn't stop, so I disconnected the battery. Thought I was going to smell smoke, but there was none.

Thinking I may have "pinched" (can't see anything though) one of the LED wires and caused a short? I tested each of the headlight bulb. Continuity is good, just tested the side marker bulb and that seems to not be working though? ...That is kind of when the problem started. Hadn't even got as far as connecting a wire to it though. Simply pulled the assembly out of the fender.

I have realized as a result of this that there is no way to lock the back door with no power either.

bettyhumpter · **Joined:** Fri Mar 22, 2013 11:23 pm **Posts:** 30

i would undo the wiring and hook the battery back up. What happens then?

WhiteRider · **Posted:** Sun Mar 24, 2013 5:21 pm

Unhooked everything, looks (tested most) as though the fuses are all good, and got a new side marker bulb.

Put a multi-meter on the battery, not getting anything for a read out. Likely can't get much more figured out until the battery gets a charge.

WhiteRider · **Posted:** Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:19 am

Got it figured out!

Got my girlfriend to give me a b... oost, with her Festiva. It was a little humorous. She took a picture.

I think the problem started when I was taking the side marker housing out of the fender. I had never noticed it burnt out until I pulled out the housing.

I decided to head out and grab a replacement bulb, and start there. Turned into new hi/lo bulbs, paint for calipers, inline fuse, some wire and a cool little 12v splitter with a tiny dipswitch for each output. By the time I got home I had come up with a much "cleaner" way to install the LED's for the, now brand new "Sylvania Silverstar Ultras~4000k's". I decided to use the fuse box (M7 to be exact) as access for my power. Thought that way I could have control of the LED's completely independant from the driving lights and headlights. This fuse is for the lighter, can be re-positioned to allow for power always to the lighter. This opens up its 12v supply that is only on when the key is turned.

All said and done, ended up awesome. Everything seems much brighter with the new hi/lo's, the ones I swapped were almost black. The LED's give it that "Audi look", a little brighter than I expected actually.

One of these days I"ll post pics.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Mon Mar 25, 2013 1:36 am

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 25, 2013 1:50 am

What Digger said!!! None of this has ever happened until pics are presented. You're new so you shall be cut slack, but next time....we're gonna need pics... lol

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:07 am

Bmxer524 wrote:

What Digger said!!! None of this has ever happened until pics are presented. You're new so you shall be cut slack, but next time....we're gonna need pics... lol

LMAO!

WhiteRider · **Posted:** Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:35 pm

Finally got time to load some pictures.

Carbon fiber wrapped the door mirrors.

WhiteRider · **Posted:** Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:39 pm

K&N intake, installed about three weeks ago.

WhiteRider · **Posted:** Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:43 pm

...and now for the pics of the lights and wiring.

Three pics with each light setting.

WhiteRider · **Posted:** Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:53 pm

What I used for main power (fused with 15amp) and ground locations. These wires then run to a 12 volt splitter,

This will make it much easier down the road to add accessories, ...and I know I will.

Which then runs to switches that I mounted on the center console in the cab.

I guess I should change this thread title to: "Easy mod: SAVED!"

bhudha1 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 01, 2013 9:37 am

Nice where did you get the LED from. I see that you are from Canada. Was it like auto zone or something.

WhiteRider · **Posted:** Mon Apr 01, 2013 11:47 pm

Good old Walmart. There are quite a few options and colors to choose from. I went with the type type that were called "side mounted" LED strip. The led's are attached to the strip the on edge rather than straight up in the middle. I knew where I was going to mount them was only as thick as the strip itself. With the side mounted style the led's still point forward rather than up into the headlights.

toy4everyseason · **Posted:** Tue Apr 02, 2013 9:55 am

Is that real carbon fiber? If so where can I pick up a set?

jjohnson1892 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:09 am

toy4everyseason wrote:

Is that real carbon fiber? If so where can I pick up a set?

I PM'd WhiteRider about this. It's essentially the 3M carbon fiber vinyl, and the stuff is all over the internet. I'm probably going to pick up some on Amazon (since I get free 2 day shipping). I'm just looking all around my KK to see where else I can put this stuff :twisted:

WhiteRider · **Posted:** Thu Apr 04, 2013 12:04 am

Its made by a company called Alpena. Called Carbonstylz Auto Wrapz.

It was tricky to put on the mirrors because they have such a boxy shape. The video on their site of somebody applying it sure made it look easy. In order to do it properly, its best to apply it using a heat gun. It becomes really stretchy and molds to the corners a lot smoother. Still takes quite a bit of patience though.I will probably re-do my passenger mirror. My 2nd try, the drivers side, looks much better.

I was thinking maybe also apply it the black strip along the underside of the doors? Not sure.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Thu Apr 04, 2013 7:06 am

If you really go crazy with carbon fiber wrap, you end up with this:
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=65875&start=0
:frankie:

jjohnson1892 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 04, 2013 10:04 am

lfhoward wrote:

If you really go crazy with carbon fiber wrap, you end up with this:
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=65875&start=0
:frankie:

Truth, that's just mean looking :rockon:

I'm thinking of doing the mirrors, door trim, and dash bezel. Think that wouldn't be "too much" and it'll look good if I find the patience to do it, may take a while for that to happen :lol:

Easy Mod that went wrong, SAVED!!:)

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