Just like the Edge CTS2 Insight reader, this is a really complete kit. This particular kit includes an EAS control expander to hook into the CTS2 EAS bus so that it can be controlled from the CTS2 display. It includes a heavy duty wiring loom an automotive relay, as well as a switch if you don’t want to use the EAS system (or you could have purchased the light without the control kit).
And, of course, it includes zip ties and stickers, because those are required for installing anything on any vehicle, ever.
I have no idea how many years the driver-side lamp has been busted out. I know the passenger-side lamp has been busted out for a few years, because I busted it out when I accidentally crashed my E30 into the van. Don’t ask unless you want me to punch you in the throat.
The switch that controlled these driving lights has been flaky for years, too, so I never even used them. Most of the time I was just hoping not to hit anything in the dark. That was about to change.
I almost passed out when I pulled the lower cover off and found this. No wonder the alarm and remote entry system goes bananas once in a while. I mustered my courage and spent the next few hours carefully dissecting this mess to remove the gauge pod pillar and the switch and wiring for the driving lamps. Thanks to Edge, this would get a lot easier.
Depending on whether or not you use the EAS integration or the switch, you basically just connect the harness to one or the other, and off you go.
You really only have two choices if you don’t want to make new holes. You come in through the floor or in through the “top” like you see here. The caveat to the top is that to get over to the door-side of the vehicle you have to get past the steering column, which can be tricky.
Ironically, inside the engine bay you end up with the same situation. If you want to get from the passenger-side of the engine bay under the vehicle to the driver-side, you also have to try to carefully avoid the steering column, or hope you have LOTS of extra wire. I could have easily extended the harness with the tools I had, but since I was only going to use the switch and not tie into the EAS for the light bar, I just went under the center of the dashboard under the radio and avoided the steering column all together.
The wiring is secured with zip ties in several other places, so the relay is not really hanging from the tie that much. However, it should be regularly inspected to make sure it doesn’t fall off. A more secure mounting can easily be devised.
14 comments
@EricJacobs, my E450 is a gas V10. I don’t know if they have a tune for your powerstroke diesel, but I wrote about it in https://motoiq.com/tow-vehicle-5-star-tuning-update/ .
@EricJacobs, my E450 is a gas V10. I don’t know if they have a tune for your powerstroke diesel, but I wrote about it in https://motoiq.com/tow-vehicle-5-star-tuning-update/ .
@EricJacobs, my E450 is a gas V10. I don’t know if they have a tune for your powerstroke diesel, but I wrote about it in https://motoiq.com/tow-vehicle-5-star-tuning-update/ .
@EricJacobs, my E450 is a gas V10. I don’t know if they have a tune for your powerstroke diesel, but I wrote about it in https://motoiq.com/tow-vehicle-5-star-tuning-update/ .
@EricJacobs, my E450 is a gas V10. I don’t know if they have a tune for your powerstroke diesel, but I wrote about it in https://motoiq.com/tow-vehicle-5-star-tuning-update/ .
@EricJacobs, my E450 is a gas V10. I don’t know if they have a tune for your powerstroke diesel, but I wrote about it in https://motoiq.com/tow-vehicle-5-star-tuning-update/ .
@EricJacobs, my E450 is a gas V10. I don’t know if they have a tune for your powerstroke diesel, but I wrote about it in https://motoiq.com/tow-vehicle-5-star-tuning-update/ .
@EricJacobs, my E450 is a gas V10. I don’t know if they have a tune for your powerstroke diesel, but I wrote about it in https://motoiq.com/tow-vehicle-5-star-tuning-update/ .
@EricJacobs, my E450 is a gas V10. I don’t know if they have a tune for your powerstroke diesel, but I wrote about it in https://motoiq.com/tow-vehicle-5-star-tuning-update/ .
@EricJacobs, my E450 is a gas V10. I don’t know if they have a tune for your powerstroke diesel, but I wrote about it in https://motoiq.com/tow-vehicle-5-star-tuning-update/ .
@EricJacobs, my E450 is a gas V10. I don’t know if they have a tune for your powerstroke diesel, but I wrote about it in https://motoiq.com/tow-vehicle-5-star-tuning-update/ .
@EricJacobs, my E450 is a gas V10. I don’t know if they have a tune for your powerstroke diesel, but I wrote about it in https://motoiq.com/tow-vehicle-5-star-tuning-update/ .
@EricJacobs, my E450 is a gas V10. I don’t know if they have a tune for your powerstroke diesel, but I wrote about it in https://motoiq.com/tow-vehicle-5-star-tuning-update/ .
@EricJacobs, my E450 is a gas V10. I don’t know if they have a tune for your powerstroke diesel, but I wrote about it in https://motoiq.com/tow-vehicle-5-star-tuning-update/ .