Is this a possible mod?

[WillMax95]

I want my lights to turn off (even if I have them on) when I turn my car off. I don't want automatic lighting, i dont like it, I just want to be able to have my lights turn off when I turn my car off, like automtic lighting, but still use the light switch. Is this possible?

[Tyrexx]

Originally Posted by WillMax95

I want my lights to turn off (even if I have them on) when I turn my car off. I don't want automatic lighting, i dont like it, I just want to be able to have my lights turn off when I turn my car off, like automtic lighting, but still use the light switch. Is this possible?

I think I know what you're talking about and it would be pretty cool. You could rewire your headlights to a relay, connect the relay to your ignition wire, that would kill the lights the second the car was off, but also if you left the switch in the on position they would turn on when you were starting the car. I'm not 100% sure but it can't be that good for all of your bulbs, (having them turn on with ignition then dim when the starter turns on.) I'd say to leave it as is.

[JSutter]

well there is an easier way. the car has relays already, you just need to find them and rewire them oh and you should use the accessory wire as the turn on, not the ignition wire (yes they are different). this way the light would shut off while you are cranking the car.

[ManualMaxima]

like on the 5th gens, exept they shut off when you open the door when the car is off.

[WillMax95]

my moms avalon, yes my mom, her lights are automatic and i think they are okay, but they can get kind of annoying, so i want my idea to work the way it does...but, i need some diagrams or something of what to do with the wires and relays and crap. i dont mind if the lights are on all the time, most new cars do that anyway, my moms does.

[Kevlo911]

Yes, I want to do this too. Someone find out how to.

[minsbang]

that "someone" sure ain't me.

[jm5464]

Because the car doesn't have any stock headlight/ parking light relays the easiest way to do it is by interuping the parking/ headlight power by installing some relays under the dash on the ignition/ stering wheel harness. The relays would switch off the headlights when ever the car is turned off. This would still allow you to turn on and off the headlights from the OEM switch when the key is turned to ignition or accessory (your preference). Most if not all nissans povide an ignition wire that does not give power when the starter is cranking (useful in this type of situation). Let me know if you are familiar enough with wiring/ relays and I will do a write up with diagrams/ wire colors.

[DR-Max]

My toyota tundra does this: The headlights/park lights turn off when the ignition key is turned to the off position and removed while the light switch on the steering column is still on the ON position. However, you can turn the switch to OFF, then back to ON and the headlights/park lights would turn on, w/o the ignition key. Also you can pull the highbeam switch to turn on the highbeams w/o the ignition key. I wish that could be done to the Maxima as well.

[BlueC]

My 99 maxima does this, I just turn the lights off before I get out of the car. Never fails, works great!

Oh and the little chime thing reminds me incase I forget.

[jm5464]

with the setup I discribed above you would not be able to turn on the headlights when the key is out unless you installed an extra switch, however you would still be able to flash the highbeams with the OEM switch when the key is out

[DR-Max]

Where would you wire the +12v of the relay to if I want the highbeams to flash with the OEM switch? And what type of relay would I need?

Originally Posted by jm5464

with the setup I discribed above you would not be able to turn on the headlights when the key is out unless you installed an extra switch, however you would still be able to flash the highbeams with the OEM switch when the key is out

[jm5464]

Originally Posted by 2DaMax

Where would you wire the +12v of the relay to if I want the highbeams to flash with the OEM switch? And what type of relay would I need?

After the headlight switch the highbeams are a seprate circut so the added relays wouldnt interfere with them, this also allows the highbeams to still flash when the factory alarm is set off.

The best relays I have found are BOSH 30 amp (make sure they are 12 volt), they seem to be the most reliable and would handle more than enough amperage for your headlight system. Finding them could be difficult though. I would check a hardware store or a car stereo shop. They should be no more than $5. (you will need 3). I know Radio Shack carries somthing similar but they are $6 a piece and are not as high of quality, but, if you are unable to find BOSH relays these will work fine.

After work tomarrow I will draw up and post a wiring diagram to better explain how to do this.

[Matt_NZ]

Just curious, but why are headlights in cars usually designed to still work even when the car is off? Why isn't it standard for the lights to turn off when the car is switched off?

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by Matt_NZ

Just curious, but why are headlights in cars usually designed to still work even when the car is off? Why isn't it standard for the lights to turn off when the car is switched off?

because they are very usefull....for instance...when we used to play pickup games at night on unlit bball courts we used this function of the headlights...i'm sure there are more...think.

[plurco]

Easy easy. Here is what you do. remove the bottom portion of the steering column trim and the bottom dash panel. YOu will need an automotive relay, some primary wire and a fuse holder with a 5 amp fuse. First locate the grey/yellow wire in the steering column (this is the headlight wire). Cut this wire and solder/butt connect a legnth of primary wire to each end.(soldering is much better)
Then attach those two wires to the 87 and 30 poles on the relay(does not matter what wire is connected to which pole). next connect the 85 pole of the relay to chassis ground. Then you need to locate the black/yellow wire in the cars ignition harness(located in a loom under the dash. Look for the loow leading to the ignition switch) strip this wire with a razor knife (do not cut) then wrap wire around the bare ignition wire and solder the connection. After you solder this wire wrap tape around it very well and put a ziptie over the tape, this is also the wire that gets the inline fuse holder and 5 amp fuse. Finally attach this wire to the 86 pole on your relay and there you go. for myself being an MECP certified installer this would take 30 minutes or so, the average novice with moderate ability could do this in an hour to an hour and a half.

[DR-Max]

Cool instructions plurco. I used to install mobile audio systems for a living so I know this is simple. I was going to start tracing the wires that go to the headlights and ignition but you beat me to it. You reduced my work by at least 15 minutes, thanks! I wonder why jm5464 stated that 3 relays are needed? I still would like to see his wiring diagram. Perhaps I should do some checking of my own still. Plurco do you have factory installed security system on your Maxima? Perhaps that is why multiple relays are needed.

[plurco]

yes I do. The security system has nothing to dowith anything after you have unlocked the doors.

[1MAX2NV]

Hmm...i think if you do this. When the factory security system goes off, it wouldn't able to flash the lights.

[DR-Max]

That's if the relay that the security system use to flash the headlights is dependent on the actual headlight circuit. But that's a good point, the only way to find out is to do some checking.

[plurco]

it would energive the circuit further down the line than where you are placing the relay.

[plurco]

you would have to do a second relay if you wanted this to control the parking lights BTW.

[DR-Max]

OK, the Chiltons manual has this headlight schematic for 93-98 Maximas w/o DRL. The schematic also includes the theft warning light relay. If anyone has a Haynes manual, please check yours to see if its the same. So here it goes:

1) left headlight - from the 15amp fuse (hot) to red/yellow or red lead, then to the lighting switch. The theft warning light relay is wired inline between the hot source to the lighting switch. The +12v lead for the theft warning light relay (left headlight) is also red/yellow or red. From the theft warning light relay, a red/black or yellow lead is connected to the high beam lead, same color, of the headlight.

2) right headlight - from the 15amp fuse (hot) to red/white lead, then to the lighting switch. The theft warning light relay is wired inline between the hot source to the lighting switch. The +12v lead for the theft warning light relay (right headlight) is also red/white. From the theft warning light relay, a red/green or light green/black lead is connected to the high beam lead, same color, of the headlight.

Now if you can connect another relay (total of 2 for left and right headlight circuits) after the theft warning light relay and before the lighting switch, then it won't affect the security system's ability to flash the headlights when the alarm is tripped. And now, the headlights will turn off automatically when you turn the key off and remove it from the ignition switch. I'll try to produce a good scan of the schematic off of my Chiltons manual.

-Dennis

[DR-Max]

Ok here is the scanned schematic for the 93-98 Maxima headlight w/o DRL:


Here is the scanned schematic for the 95-98 Maxima park/marker lights:



Enjoy!

[WillMax95]

cool, im gonna have to give this a try in the future. thanx for all the info guys.

[jm5464]

Ok, I finished the example wiring diagrams and the "How To" page.

They are located at this url:

http://www.bassmintaudio.com/maxima/...ght%20diagram/

Good Luck, feel free to ask if you have any questions.

[WillMax95]

nice, ill def be trying this soon.

[plurco]

Originally Posted by jm5464

Ok, I finished the example wiring diagrams and the "How To" page.

They are located at this url:

http://www.bassmintaudio.com/maxima/...ght%20diagram/

Good Luck, feel free to ask if you have any questions.

sent you a PM

[DR-Max]

jm5464,

Is a 5amp fuse enough for three 30amp fuses?