Challengers, side marker lamps and IVA...
Discussion
OK, so who knows their way around the lighting regs and IVA requirements?
This officially imported 2022 MY Challenger, registered 2023, has non working rear side marker lights. In fact, they appear to be a very well made blank, with a very matt red plastic coating, and not the original red prismatic lens. Assumed as part of the UK IVA mods, as the original wiring to them has been unplugged, a dummy plug fitted (possibly a CANBUS end of line module?) and cable tied back up the harness.
However, on closer inspection of these "dummies", the back half of them look like working fittings. They have a populated 2 pin plug and are rated at 12V 0.38W LED. However, it may just be the case that to avoid additional tooling, they are made up of a "real" back half shell, with a "fake" front half plastic strip.
Looking at the UK lighting regs, a red side marker light is permitted as long as its within 1m of the rear of the vehicle, which this is. So not sure why its been deleted, unless its for a more general EU market rather than a UK one, and leaves Ontario with the dummies fitted?
As they look a bit plasticky, I have a notion to replace them with proper red prismatic lensed units, and ideally to plug them in so they work as originally intended. Lighting regs wise, that looks OK. Just a case of finding some. Ebay seems well populated with ones for up to 2014 MY, which look shorter and dumpier, whilst 2015 onwards seem longer, and much harder to lay hands on outside of the MOPAR distribuitor chain. Most of the 2015 on versions are from China and seem to be smoked lens rather than red lens.
Anyone had a go at doing this?
This officially imported 2022 MY Challenger, registered 2023, has non working rear side marker lights. In fact, they appear to be a very well made blank, with a very matt red plastic coating, and not the original red prismatic lens. Assumed as part of the UK IVA mods, as the original wiring to them has been unplugged, a dummy plug fitted (possibly a CANBUS end of line module?) and cable tied back up the harness.
However, on closer inspection of these "dummies", the back half of them look like working fittings. They have a populated 2 pin plug and are rated at 12V 0.38W LED. However, it may just be the case that to avoid additional tooling, they are made up of a "real" back half shell, with a "fake" front half plastic strip.
Looking at the UK lighting regs, a red side marker light is permitted as long as its within 1m of the rear of the vehicle, which this is. So not sure why its been deleted, unless its for a more general EU market rather than a UK one, and leaves Ontario with the dummies fitted?
As they look a bit plasticky, I have a notion to replace them with proper red prismatic lensed units, and ideally to plug them in so they work as originally intended. Lighting regs wise, that looks OK. Just a case of finding some. Ebay seems well populated with ones for up to 2014 MY, which look shorter and dumpier, whilst 2015 onwards seem longer, and much harder to lay hands on outside of the MOPAR distribuitor chain. Most of the 2015 on versions are from China and seem to be smoked lens rather than red lens.
Anyone had a go at doing this?
Have sent for a couple of the smoked ones from China for starters to see how they go. If I don't like them, then I will try the OEM ones from Rock Auto - Cheers for that link - A good site. There were a couple of pairs on Ebay from the UK, but not very sensibly priced for second hand ones from a breakers yard.... Could get them new cheaper.
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