Fitting Mk2.5 Rear Lights To A Mk2 Focus (Inc. Rs/st Dual Red Mod)

[Lenny]

Hi Lenny.

I'm gonna fit the lights this weekend work permitting but I just wondered. Did you fit LED bulbs for your indicators or brakes lights before fitting?

I'm not sure there are any but it would be nice to do now with the LED sides already in.

hi mate,

No i didn't fit any LED because red led isn't very noticeable during the day, my fear was that my brakes wouldn't be noticed however the Genuine ford premium tail light units have a single filament brake light.

Compared to the standard tail light units that have a dual filament stop&tail bulb,

Some led tail light bulbs also require load resistors because the run on a lower voltage,

Ideally some Cree red led with silver casings would do nicely as they have built in load resistors.

Now for led indicators

In short mate these ain't gonna work,

I've fitted silvatec indicator bulbs instead,

The led will flash like a strobe when fitted as an indicator,

The only way around this is to upgrade all indicator to led and fit an adjustable flash relay,

Where using a Philips head screwdriver on the adjustable relay box, you can adjust the flash rate,

But since the focus is CanBus technology: the flash rate is controlled by the GEM there's no relay that can be swapped out,

The only way to alter the flash rate is via diagnostics following the modified ELM327 guide which will give you access to such perimeters.

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/31287-guide-for-focus-mk2mk25-c-maxkuga-elm-327-cable-and-ff2-program/

[blueovalboy]

Hi mate. Thanks again for your help. I understand what you are saying with regards to the can bus system and gem module. I think I will get the silvatec bulbs as you did. I have just bought the elm 327 cable but I have only used it to clear the mil light from my decat until I can get a sports cat or remap so I don't think I'm confident enough in doing anything else tbh.

Thanks again for your advice mate. I appreciate it.

[Lenny]

Hi mate. Thanks again for your help. I understand what you are saying with regards to the can bus system and gem module. I think I will get the silvatec bulbs as you did. I have just bought the elm 327 cable but I have only used it to clear the mil light from my decat until I can get a sports cat or remap so I don't think I'm confident enough in doing anything else tbh.

Thanks again for your advice mate. I appreciate it.

no prob,

and altering the settings is ok aslong as you keep screen shots of the default settings

[mercman02]

I would like to have a go at fitting the leds into my rear lights. My car is a mk2.5 so not sure which wires to connect the leds to because they are all the same colour& i already have the clear light clusters.

Also what the going price for the original st lights just to plug straight in.

[Lenny]

I would like to have a go at fitting the leds into my rear lights. My car is a mk2.5 so not sure which wires to connect the leds to because they are all the same colour& i already have the clear light clusters.

Also what the going price for the original st lights just to plug straight in.

Preee has created a guide in the guides section of the forum showing how to fit SMD strips in to standard facelift units,

Ive created a guide on fitting RS tail lights to mk2.5 they cost £280 per set from sandicliffe.co.uk

Built to order by ford however cheaper to purchase via sandicliffe than through local ford stealership

RS tail light fitting guide:

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/43587-guide-fitting-ford-rs-led-rear-light-units-focus-mk25/

Led SMD strip Guide:

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/28999-guide-for-fitting-daytime-running-lights-focus-mk25/page-3

[wayne254300]

On 4/18/2012 at 5:36 PM, Preee said:

I have done this MOD about a month or so ago , and does look very good , i did it slightly different in the way i uese 6 LED's and drilled 6 holes in the side and placed the LED's on the edge of the cluster , but works the same.

Only slight niggle for me is the LED's are a better looking "RED" than the actual side light bulbs so on close inspection there is a slight difference in colours.

But effect is very good and the indicator does not get overwelmed by the LED's which is good.

where did you get the leds from?? 

[wayne254300]

On 4/17/2012 at 10:57 AM, Nigel S said:

How to fit the facelift clear rear lights to a pre-facelift car (with the red lights).

1) Remove your original lights and bulb holders.

2) Before cutting any wires look at the loom at comes with the new lights, there are 4 wires and the original car has 5. You should see a wire running from the orange bulb holder to the white one on the new loom, this is the earth wire to the white holder, cut this wire closer to the orange one.

3) Cut the original indicator plug off the car’s loom (2 wires).

4) Cut the remaining wires to the orange holder, make sure they are cut to a different length to the one cut in number 2 (this way you know which wire is the common earth).

5) Using a multi meter on continuity find the other earth wire, connect this to the black wire on the car’s original loom.

6) Connect the other wire (cut in no 4) to the other wire from the car’s loom.

7) Check the indicator works (make sure all wiring joints are insulated).

8 ) You will notice you have a “spare” earth wire that used to go to the tail light holder – cut in 2). You can use this it to provide an earth if you fit LEDS in the indicator part of the light, if not insulate its end (see separate guide).

9) Cut the black wire on the cars tail light loom and connect it to the earth wire.

10) The remaining two wires on the car’s loom are the brake and tail light feed, as looms may vary you will need to check which is which using your multi meter.

11) Connect them to the remaining 2 wires on the new loom and test that your bulb lights with a single dim element for tail light and a bright one for the brakes). Once you have them correct insulate all joins. Remember the wire for the tail light as you’ll need to use it if you fit the LEDs in the indicator part of the light.

How to fit LEDs in to the indicator light (to replicate the facelift ST and RS lights)

1) You’ll need to buy some LEDs on strips like these and wire them (+&-) as shown, use thin wire, speaker cable is too thick and not pliable enough, make the negative wire shorter so you know which is which.

I’d recommend 3 LEDs no more otherwise the indicator will not be visible enough.

2) Drill a small hole under where the indicator bulb holder fits and remove an debris that gets in to the light.

Feed the wires through from the inside.

3) Tuck the LEDs inside the light vertically down from the indicator bulb, once happy with the fit take off the sticky paper and stick down (trial fitting allows you to bend the wire in to shape first, you’ll need to pull the LED strip out before taking off the stick backing paper).

4) Connect the negative wire to the spare earth wire on the indicator bulb holder (point 8 in the light fitting guide above).

5) Connect the positive wire to the tail light wire on the tail light bulb holder (point 11 in the light fitting guide above).

6) Turn your rear lights on and the LEDs also light up, they remain illuminated with the indicators too, as so the Ford lights on the facelift ST and RS.

Notes:

 Ensure that all wiring connectors are fully insulated and be careful when you test connections.

 Don’t cut, test or connect wires with the lights turned on.

 Use a multi meter, don’t mix up earth and power wires.

 When you cut the plugs off the car’s loom leave enough wire on them to reconnect them if you want to refit the original lights.

 Make sure all wires are tidy when you refit the lights to avoid nipping a wire by accident.

By following these guides you take responsibility for the correct and safe modification of the car and your personal safety. You also take responsibility for the legality of the modification, saying someone told you to is no excuse in the eyes of the law.

where did you get the lens's from? 

[DICKFOR]

CAN'T YOU JUST DREMEL OUT THE HOLE IN THE TAIL LIGHT AND FIT THE ORIGINAL bulbs?