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[hhewland]

Hello,
I'm having a real headache with registering an imported wrangler at the moment and wondered if anyone could help. It's an AMerican import. 2005 Jeep Wrangler X 12cyl 4.0L automatic. I took it for its IVA Test (the new SVA test) yesterday and it failed on the lighting requirements. As a US vehicle it has red rear indicators instead of amber and no fog light (don't they have fog in the US??). So I now have to get the car modified but I'm having trouble finding anyone to do it who isn't trying to rip me off hugely. My local Jeep service centres won't touch the job because they can only order parts in from a UK chassis numbered vehicle. So I wondered if anybody on Jeepey.com knows if it's possible to do the rear indicator work myself. If you have a UK 2005 Jeep Wrangler X, I'd love to know the structure of your rear indicators lights, because I think it may just be a case of changing the retroreflecting glass if the bulb structure behind is identical to my model. I have removed the red (and partially white) retroflector from my rear lights to investigate (for reference see picture of glass below before I removed it). The bulb positioning is as follows: There are two bulbs separated by an aluminium partiton (to prevent light spilling from one compartment to the other. The upper bulb is my "reverse" light which shines through the white part of the retroflector, and the lower bulb is the indicator and brake light which shines through the red part of the retroflecting glass. It's ok that they're the same bulb in the US as braking and rear indicating are both red obviously. I have noticed on UK equivalent of my car (image of UK equivalent attached below) that the rear retroflecting glass is divided in three (red at the top for the brakes, amber in the middle for the indicator, and white at the bottom for reverse). Can anybody with this car tell me whether there are three bulbs or two behind this three-coloured retroflecting glass. If there are two, I think it might just be a case of ordering the English version of the retroreflector?? If so, I can save myself the cost of some cowboy quoting me £400 to change a piece of glass! I hope all this makes sense. If anyone can help me I'd be eternally grateful. Many thanks,
Harry Hewland[attachment=1][attachment=2]

[Panic mechanic!]

to be honest, its not that hard to change your lighting to Uk spec a lot of it is down to getting the UK spec rear lamps and running  a new feed for the indicators from the relay,to the rear of the jeep then run an additional wire and have a rear fog added,new lamps for the front and thats basically it.It can mean having a lot of the interior out to get it all looking factory, for parts I would contact Lighthouse and take it from there.

[Mike Pavelin]

The taillight clusters are totally different. You can either utilise the US units by fitting amber bulbs to the reverse light and using these as turn signals, losing your integral reverse lamps, or fit the euro spec ones. In both cases you will need to rewire, isolating the rear turn signal circuit from the brake light circuit at the brake light switch and providing a new feed for the brake lights. You will also have to fit a rear fog lamp to the right hand side of the vehicle. In addition you will need to replace the flush fitting wing repeaters with the bulging euro spec ones so they are visible from the rear, white sidelamps and fit headlamps with a neutral or left dipping beam pattern. Disabling the amber running lampfunction in the front turn signals would also be advisable, you can use this as your sidelight feed, but it should be permissable to keep the repeaters working as running lights.

Where are you based?

Where can I get a 12 cyl.Wrangler?

[Panic mechanic!]

Where can I get a 12 cyl.Wrangler?

I am sure bubba and greggmo will give a go at knocking one up for you mike!

[hhewland]

Thanks Mike.
I meant 6cyl!! Been dealing with the 12V battery prob too so had the number on the brain I guess! The only things I failed the test on were the rear indicators and the lack of rear foglight so they're the only things I have to modify according to the inspection. I'm not an autoelectrician so think I'll have to get somebody to do a job like this for me. I'm based in London. One extra question: If I use the reverse lights as turn signals what do I use as my reverse light??

[Mike Pavelin]

You aren't obliged to have a reverse light, but if you feel the need fit an aftermarket one similar to the fog light on the rear bumper. Some prefer the look of the US light units but the euro ones would be a tidier soloution. You can get new ones from Mansfield 4x4 or Lighthouse Jeep, or for used ones try Charlton's at Duxford ot GT4x4 at Vange. Either way, there are a couple of places that can do the job over here if in Essex you want.

[Tragic]

I converted my Canadian import YJ using the US lights with orange bulb in the reversing light trick. As for the rewiring, apart from moving the indicator wires to the reversing light bulb socket there was a single wire that needed to be cut under the dash. Easy.
Sadly, this was about 7 years ago, and I can't remember which wire.....

I also fitted a small fog lamp at the bottom of the O/S quarter panel and wired it to the rear window demist switch (it has an orange tell-tale light, necessary for the test) via the block connector for the hard top. This was a YJ though, I don't know if TJ's are different and I can't be arsed to go outside and look at mine. Half way through a rather nice Shiraz, you understand?

[hhewland]

Thanks for all your help. I just took the lamp off the car. It seems the indicator/brake light is double filament. The brighter of the two lights up for indicating and braking, and the other dimmer filament only lights up in tandem with the reverse light above. I feel brave enough to attempt the re-wiring job but the 64 million dollar question is which wire do I cut??... The wire running to the reverse bulb at the top is pink. I will obviously cut that one. But there are two wires running to the double filament bulb below. One is red and green, the other is black and yellow. Which wire do I cut and re-route to the reverse light fixture above??? The bomb is ticking!!

[Mike Pavelin]

This is based on a slightly earlier TJ Wrangler so follow at your own risk......

The colours you are quoting must be on the lamp side of it's multi plug. Look at the vehicle side. Violet/black should be reverse lamp on both sides. Cut these. On the left, Dark green/Red should be the turn signal, cut this and link to the reverse lamp Violet/Black. On the right the turn signal wire should be Brown/Red Cut this and connect to the right hand reverse lamp. This should get the reverse lamps working as turn signals. Check that they don't also come on with the brake lamps. If they do you need to cut the White/Tan wire to the indicator switch on the steering column harness.

[wildwood]

Try looking at www.FTE.co.uk
this is Steve Fagioli who brought in a JK Wrwngler and has put it thro SVA and there is a section on his web site I noticed last night re the re-wiring.
Beware he mentions computers and UK v US EC thingies and its not as easy as my YJ was with just plain old wires.
But he could help you out.... good bloke known him since '99

[Mike Pavelin]

The TJ doen't have such computer nonsense so that isn't an issue with the lighting.

[Tragic]

Check that they don't also come on with the brake lamps. If they do you need to cut the White/Tan wire to the indicator switch on the steering column harness.

Yup, that sounds right 

[Jonny Jeep]

I just replied to this problem on jeepey.com

Can't be arsed doing it again You'll have to check on there.

[hhewland]

I took it to an autoelectrician today but he says he needs the wiring diagram for the 2005 TJ in ordewr to do this rewiring job. Any idea where I can get this from?

[Mike Pavelin]

Hmmm... a bit of a worry, if he's any good he should be able to work it out without.

Never mind. PM me your email address and I'll send you a copy.

[Bubba]

yup