Lighted Bowtie Wiring Help PLEASE

[FrankT]

Originally Posted by The Stig

The opening post of this thread has the wiring diagram you need.

What he said.
That's what I used to do it.

[pkauf]

Originally Posted by FrankT

What he said.
That's what I used to do it.

Cool, i missed the diagram in the pic in the beginning . . . looks easy enough. where did you mount the relay setup? Did you breadboard it or use wires/heatshrink/etc? Thanks and sorry for missing the pic, looks pretty easy . . .

[FrankT]

Here is a pic of where I mounted the relays. I used a double relay socket and a single relay socket. I zip tied the assembly to the main wiring harness that runs down the passenger side in the trunk area. That is also where I spliced into the tag light and third brake light wires.

[FrankT]

BTW, I bought the automotive relays and sockets on Amazon.

[pkauf]

Originally Posted by FrankT

Here is a pic of where I mounted the relays. I used a double relay socket and a single relay socket. I zip tied the assembly to the main wiring harness that runs down the passenger side in the trunk area. That is also where I spliced into the tag light and third brake light wires.

Nice - thanks for the pic. What color was the brake wire and what color was the tag wire?

[FrankT]

CHMSL (third brake light) wire is WHITE.
License plate lamp wire is BROWN.
Both of these come from the X4 connector from the BCM. You can find them in the harness bundle that I have the relays zip tied to. I found it easier to find them in the seat back area. I already had most of the interior removed for the sound system mods.

[pkauf]

Originally Posted by FrankT

CHMSL (third brake light) wire is WHITE.
License plate lamp wire is BROWN.
Both of these come from the X4 connector from the BCM. You can find them in the harness bundle that I have the relays zip tied to. I found it easier to find them in the seat back area. I already had most of the interior removed for the sound system mods.

Thanks again - you've been incredibly helpful!!! I love these forums, you learn so much . . .

Paul

[FrankT]

I thought I'd post about a problem with this setup. I really hadn't noticed it, because I rarely drive the car at night since I'm still sorting out some other problems. The problem is this: the BCM cannot supply enough of a current load to drive the relay for the blue portion of the Bowtie adequately. So, sometimes intermittently, and sometimes all of the time, the relay buzzes. Quite loudly, too. It sounds like a noisy fuel pump. I thought I had a problem with my ZL1 fuel pump install at first, but it was the relay buzzing its heart out. The solution (or the one I came up with) is to drive the relay using a transistor. This is probably going to get too involved for most of you out there. Now I see why AAC said everyone was on their own on this. If anyone wants, I can post a modified schematic along with how to drive the relay using a small transistor.

[pkauf]

Originally Posted by FrankT

I thought I'd post about a problem with this setup. I really hadn't noticed it, because I rarely drive the car at night since I'm still sorting out some other problems. The problem is this: the BCM cannot supply enough of a current load to drive the relay for the blue portion of the Bowtie adequately. So, sometimes intermittently, and sometimes all of the time, the relay buzzes. Quite loudly, too. It sounds like a noisy fuel pump. I thought I had a problem with my ZL1 fuel pump install at first, but it was the relay buzzing its heart out. The solution (or the one I came up with) is to drive the relay using a transistor. This is probably going to get too involved for most of you out there. Now I see why AAC said everyone was on their own on this. If anyone wants, I can post a modified schematic along with how to drive the relay using a small transistor.

Sure, please do!!!

Thanks

Paul

[FrankT]

Here is the wiring diagram and schematic with parts values. I'll post a pic of the transistor board when I finalize it. I'm also documenting this in my build thread here:
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...=1#post6102753

[guapo]

I have the dual LED bowtie, do I need a relay??? Just have not put mine on yet...dont want to drill the trunk lid...makes me nervious...

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by guapo

I have the dual LED bowtie, do I need a relay??? Just have not put mine on yet...dont want to drill the trunk lid...makes me nervious...

Yes you need a relay.

[FrankT]

You need the relays because of the way the Bowtie is wired. It has +12 volts all the time and switches grounds to turn on the LEDs. The brake light, tag light and CHMSL switch +12 volts to turn them on. Plus, it's best to use a relay to isolate it from the signal that is controlling it. Drilling the trunk lid is no big deal. The Bowtie covers up the hole.

[guapo]

Nice to know, since they did not mention it when I bought the bowtie...