Rs Led Rear Lights In Prefacelift Focus

[kpg]

Hi folks, just won myself a set of RS led tail lights for my car. I know there's some re wiring involved to fit them on the pre facelift. Would any of you be kind enough to take a few pics of the plug and wiring, on a facelift, that these lights plug into ? Just so I can reference for when I'm wiring the things up.

Thanks very much.

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[Kye]

I THINK there is a guide on this over in the guide section. It can be found at the top of the thread page. Or under the focus forum link I believe.

What mark of Focus is it? The 2.5?

[kpg]

I THINK there is a guide on this over in the guide section. It can be found at the top of the thread page. Or under the focus forum link I believe.

What mark of Focus is it? The 2.5?

I was over there looking and it did help but I just want a closeup of the plugs if that's possible.

Mine is the mk2.

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[kpg]

Ok folks, got out to a breakers on my lunch break and managed to get the rear wiring looms from a facelift focus. Hopefully I can splice and dice from here.

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[Stoney871]

Keep us updated on your progress and maybe put up a guide if possible.

[Lenny]

Ok folks, got out to a breakers on my lunch break and managed to get the rear wiring looms from a facelift focus. Hopefully I can splice and dice from here.

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Nice find mate,

If you can get male plugs from a set of Mk2 tail lights now aswell..

You can splice the mk2.5 sockets to the Mk2 male plugs,

Resulting in a conversion loom so you don't need to cut your factory loom.

Either try breakers again or buther your existing pair of mk2 units

[kpg]

The plugs I got from the breakers match the plugs on the rear of the led lights so that's good. I just need to order one loom and holders for one of the light units.

I had a look at the wiring currently on the car and I couldn't see any plugs in behind the lining of the boot wall. Did some preface lifts not have plugs ?

All the wires are the same ie blue/white etc so wiring/splicing shouldn't be a problem but there's an extra black on the current wiring. What's this for ?

I will take pics when I can.

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[JW1982]

On the MK2 the main wiring loom of the car connects directly to the bulb holders of the rear lights. The MK2 does not have a small wiring loom between the main wiring loom and the rear lights like the MK2.5 has.

The small wiring loom of the MK2.5 rear lights does not fit on the main wiring loom of the MK2. To solve this you either have to solder the small MK2.5 wiring loom directly to the MK2 main wiring loom or build yourself some adapter cables.

I used the original MK2 bulb holders to make myself a pair of adapter cables. I did cut the bulb holders and used only the connector part of it which I soldered onto the small MK2.5 wiring looms. You only have to do this for the combined rear/stop light. The connector of the indicators is the same as the horn connector of most Ford models which are equipped with a double horn.

This is an adapter cable to install the normal MK2.5 rear lights into a MK2. The LED adapter cables are a bit different.

[kpg]

On the MK2 the main wiring loom of the car connects directly to the bulb holders of the rear lights. The MK2 does not have a small wiring loom between the main wiring loom and the rear lights like the MK2.5 has.

The small wiring loom of the MK2.5 rear lights does not fit on the main wiring loom of the MK2. To solve this you either have to solder the small MK2.5 wiring loom directly to the MK2 main wiring loom or build yourself some adapter cables.

I used the original MK2 bulb holders to make myself a pair of adapter cables. I did cut the bulb holders and used only the connector part of it which I soldered onto the small MK2.5 wiring looms. You only have to do this for the combined rear/stop light. The connector of the indicators is the same as the horn connector of most Ford models which are equipped with a double horn.

This is an adapter cable to install the normal MK2.5 rear lights into a MK2. The LED adapter cables are a bit different.

Can I not just use a scotch-lok connectors to splice the mk2.5 wires into the correctly coloured mk2 wires ?

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[JW1982]

In my opinion you should never use Scotchlok connectors. Scotchlok connectors generally have a poor electrical connection which can result in problems or in worst case even cause fire. Personally I prefer a solder connection insulated with shrink tube which generally is a much better electrical connection.

[kpg]

In my opinion you should never use Scotchlok connectors. Scotchlok connectors generally have a poor electrical connection which can result in problems or in worst case even cause fire. Personally I prefer a solder connection insulated with shrink tube which generally is a much better electrical connection.

Ok that's fine I respect your advice but in theory would it work using scotch locks? And do I just match up the same colours ?

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[kpg]

In my opinion you should never use Scotchlok connectors. Scotchlok connectors generally have a poor electrical connection which can result in problems or in worst case even cause fire. Personally I prefer a solder connection insulated with shrink tube which generally is a much better electrical connection.

Sorry I didn't mean my last reply to be insulting. Could you advise me on which wires to connect to which ?

Or do you have a detailed tutorial or how to wire these up ?

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[STEADS]

On mine I just lightly filed the upper bayonet fitting and in it went and has stayed there.

[gforce]

I fitted the standard Mk2.5 rear lights to my old Mk2 last year, with a little extra LED strip wired into the top of the units for the RS-look. I used a combo of the guide on here and one from another forum, both linked below...

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/32282-fitting-mk25-rear-lights-to-a-mk2-focus-inc-rsst-dual-red-mod/

http://www.sportingfords.com/showthread.php?tid=3984

The second link might be of use as it's proper tidy job with looms made up for the pre-facelift to RS LED upgrade.

I have some pics here of my process (as and when I remembered to take them!) as I went along as I had planned to do a comprehensive write-up afterwards, but they're probably irrelevant for you, and I seem to have lost the hand-written notes I made of all the wire colours and locations (in terms of the bulb holders) before I got round to it, so the pics might not make much sense without the notes!

[kpg]

Thanks for the links dude. I actually came across that second link before. He says the pre-facelift comes with one plug and the facelift with two. My pre-facelift doesn't have any plugs and the wiring on the back of the RS lights has one Grey plug ?

This is where I'm getting confused.

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[gforce]

I think the 'plugs' he's referring to on the pre-facelift lights are the ones that go directly into the bulb holders...one for the brake/tail bulb and one for the indicator. Isn't that right?

Then, on the facelift standard lights, the wiring from the two bulb holders merges into a single grey plug. And I think (from the pics in Lenny's guide) it's the same for the RS lights, but with the addition of an extra few wires for the LEDs. http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/43587-guide-fitting-ford-rs-led-rear-light-units-focus-mk25/

I suppose the options now for you are either;

Cut the grey plug off your new lights, and then the black plugs off your existing pre-facelift loom and rejoin the appropriate wires.

Cut the grey plug off your new lights and re-fit two new plugs to fit the black plugs of your existing loom (like the second in my first post)

Or else maybe try get the other end of the grey plug and a bit of wire off a facelift breaker and do the re-wiring on that side of the loom to save having to cut the grey plug off the new lights?

[kpg]

Ok. I'll get a look and post some pics hopefully when I get home.

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[kpg]

Right so this is what I have:

RS Led light loom and connector from MK2.5 focus.

My way of thinking was to take each of the coloured wires shown below...

....and splice them into the corresponding wires already on my car ie blue to blue, orange to orange etc.

When I had this done I simply connect the LED light loom to the socket I've spliced into the existing wiring in my car:

In my mind this would work ok lol

The only thing is there are four wires on the MK2.5 socket shown.

But there is an extra black on the wiring in my car.

This is where I'm stumped. Where does that extra black go and what's it for ?

I hope I've examined my plans clearly please feel free to expand on my thoughts lol.

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[gforce]

Your plan sounds spot on to me. I know what you're sayin...it's one thing havin somethin clear in your own head, tryin to explain it in writing can be another story!

The extra black wire I believe is just an earth anyway...

If you look at your exisitng wiring, in the two separate plugs there's a total of five wires...3 going to the stop/tail bulb (2 lives, one for each filament, and a shared earth) and 2 to the indicator (a live and an earth). This is where my notes from my upgrade would have come in handy with the wiring colours!

Then, if you look at the Mk2.5 loom, where the wiring is merged before the plug, you can see a black wire joining the two bulb holders, this is their shared/common earth, rather than having a separate one each, so I think your plan should work spot on.

Sorry I must have missed your earlier post where you said you'd got hold of a plug from a breakers...is it Tullyally you use?

[kpg]

Your plan sounds spot on to me. I know what you're sayin...it's one thing havin somethin clear in your own head, tryin to explain it in writing can be another story!

The extra black wire I believe is just an earth anyway...

If you look at your exisitng wiring, in the two separate plugs there's a total of five wires...3 going to the stop/tail bulb (2 lives, one for each filament, and a shared earth) and 2 to the indicator (a live and an earth). This is where my notes from my upgrade would have come in handy with the wiring colours!

Then, if you look at the Mk2.5 loom, where the wiring is merged before the plug, you can see a black wire joining the two bulb holders, this is their shared/common earth, rather than having a separate one each, so I think your plan should work spot on.

Sorry I must have missed your earlier post where you said you'd got hold of a plug from a breakers...is it Tullyally you use?

Ok, thanks, this is sounding not so daunting anymore lol yea Tullyally, nice young chap down there stood in the pouring rain with me while we decided which pieces I needed!

Do you know Tullyally breakers ?

So if the extra black is just an earth, what should I do with it ?

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[gforce]

Ok, thanks, this is sounding not so daunting anymore lol yea Tullyally, nice young chap down there stood in the pouring rain with me while we decided which pieces I needed!

Do you know Tullyally breakers ?

So if the extra black is just an earth, what should I do with it ?

The extra earth shouldn't be needed as the bulb holders are earthed in the new loom, so I'd say just forget about it. Are you cutting the car's loom and gonna join the wires end to end, or just gonna splice/scotch-lock into it?

Have used Tullyally a good few times aye, they're just useless over the phone and of course haven't embraced online tecnology yet. It's half an hour away for me, so would rather check if they have somethin in the yard before travellin..."should do aye, you'll need to come down and look yourself just"

I like heading in myself and being left to it, they don't normally like cutting looms and plugs though, I remember taking a rear interior light out of a Focus to put in my old Mondeo, never let on I wanted the plugs and a length of wire to go with it though, so only mentioned it when I was back at the desk to pay. Deed was done at that stage so they didn't give off too much...I just pleaded ignorance. Have got wee bits and pieces too before that they didn't even charge for, "just throw whatever you think they're worth in the box". If you're in again, keep an eye out for any Mondeo STs for me!

[kpg]

The extra earth shouldn't be needed as the bulb holders are earthed in the new loom, so I'd say just forget about it. Are you cutting the car's loom and gonna join the wires end to end, or just gonna splice/scotch-lock into it?

Have used Tullyally a good few times aye, they're just useless over the phone and of course haven't embraced online tecnology yet. It's half an hour away for me, so would rather check if they have somethin in the yard before travellin..."should do aye, you'll need to come down and look yourself just"

I like heading in myself and being left to it, they don't normally like cutting looms and plugs though, I remember taking a rear interior light out of a Focus to put in my old Mondeo, never let on I wanted the plugs and a length of wire to go with it though, so only mentioned it when I was back at the desk to pay. Deed was done at that stage so they didn't give off too much...I just pleaded ignorance. Have got wee bits and pieces too before that they didn't even charge for, "just throw whatever you think they're worth in the box". If you're in again, keep an eye out for any Mondeo STs for me!

The only reason I'm thinking scotch lok is cause I don't like the idea of cutting the cars wires. I know scotch loks can weaken the wires themselves but I've used them quite a bit on my car without fail. Should I just leave the black wire unconnected and just insulate/cover up the end of it ?

Aye Tullyally are useless at ringing you back, they say they will but it's you who has to ring.

I didn't see any Mondeo STs but there was a good few Foci. Sad sights.

There was a brand new Hyundai Coupe sitting in front of the reception, newest shake, nice looking car, I very much like the overall shape but God it was in a sorry state at the front. Completely crumpled in.

I'll have a go at wiring my lights thus Saturday. I'll only get one done cause I have to order the other loom + bulb holders from Ford. I'll get that done tomorrow hopefully.

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[gforce]

I know scotch-locks can get a bad rep, especially from the purists, but they are handy as long as you make sure and use the proper size, line the wires up properly and make sure they make a good connection. I normally wrapped them in electrical tape then also for a wee bit of added insulation. As you say, saves you making clean cuts to any of the wires and do the job if you're not gonna be soldering. I've kinda switched to spade connectors this past while, easily reversible/removable and guaranteed good contact etc, but still would have no issues using scotch-locks.

I'd do exactly as you say, leave the spare black alone and was just gonna suggest insulating the other end of it, but you're already on it.

Tullyally are just typical old school over here, relying on rep and word of mouth I suppose...so many places here really missing a trick I reckon by not getting online. They stick some new arrivals on gumtree the odd time, but sure even if you ring about parts off one it's still a case of having to 'come look for yourself'!

I'm dying for a set of Recaros for my Mondeo but finding an ST for breaking over here is a rare sight. Private auction prices on the bay are pretty reasonable these days, but the only people who'd be arsed delivering something like an interior are the ones who are still charging top dollar. Praying to find one local just.

That Hyundai sounds a bad smash alright...suppose that's the point of the modern 'crumple zones' though isn't it, to absorb the energy of the crash.

Keep us posted with the progress on the lights sure and getting the parts from Ford!

[kpg]

I actually thought about using spades but then that involves cutting the wires. I used scotchloks for my 12v sockets, wrapped in electrical tape as well just to make sure. I'll be doing this with the lights too.

Recaros would be lovely, id love some for my car, I find the seats a bit uncomfortable at times. As if they don't offer support down the sides.

I'll tackle the lights this weekend and post a few pics of my steps so anyone interested in doing the same has a reference at least.

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[Lenny]

I actually thought about using spades but then that involves cutting the wires. I used scotchloks for my 12v sockets, wrapped in electrical tape as well just to make sure. I'll be doing this with the lights too.

Recaros would be lovely, id love some for my car, I find the seats a bit uncomfortable at times. As if they don't offer support down the sides.

I'll tackle the lights this weekend and post a few pics of my steps so anyone interested in doing the same has a reference at least.

Sent from my iPhone 5s.

Looking forward to seeing these fitted mate,

There well worth the effort