[b]What is it?[/b] Flash to Pass is used to signal other drivers on the road that you wish to pass them. It can also be used as a friendly wave to other rotorheads. To use flash to pass on most other cars, one simply pulls back on the combination switch stalk, and in turn the high beams will illuminate, signalling other drivers. In our cars, pulling the stalk still illuminates the high beams, however since the lights are retracted, it is pointless. What my modification does is flip up the lights and turn on the high beams when the combination switch is pulled back toward the driver. All other functions of the headlamps function as stock. This includes high beams, and the switch that raises the lamps, without the lights on. [b]What you will need:[/b] [img]http://foxed.ca/RX-7/flashtopass/need.jpg[/img] (1) Phillips #2 Screwdriver (1) Suitable power diode. (Costs less than 25cents) I used a 1N5408 diode. This was a diode I had lying around, and was probably overkill for this application. (Blocks up to 400V DC) You can also use: RadioShack Part# 276-1114 (2500mA diode) NTE5800 to NTE5809 1N5800 to 1N5809 Pretty Much any 2.5 - 3A diode with a suitable reverse blocking voltage. [b]How to go about it[/b] [img]http://foxed.ca/RX-7/flashtopass/coveroff.jpg[/img] Start by removing the five screws holding the bottom of the plastic covering the steering column. Gently pull the bottom cover off. You may have to remove the trim ring around the ignition as well. Once you have the plastic off, you will notice it is connected to the car still via the wiring to illuminate the key. Just leave it hanging, unless you need the extra room. [img]http://foxed.ca/RX-7/flashtopass/combinationplug.jpg[/img] Look for a six pin while plastic plug. This is what we are going to be adding the diode to. Unplug the connector by depressing the latch at the top and wiggling until it is free. [img]http://foxed.ca/RX-7/flashtopass/plug.jpg[/img] [i]The following wire colours are for a 84/85. You will want to check your year of RX-7 follows the same colours.[/i] A brief check of both the 79 and 83 wiring diagrams show the same colours used as the 84/85. We want to find the Red wire and the Red/Blue Stripe wire. The Red wire is the trigger circuit to raise the lights. The Red wire with a Blue Stripe is the circuit for the high beam lamps. What we want to do is bend the diode into a U shape and then push it into the socket of the Red and Red/Blue wire. The lead on the white line side of the diode [b]MUST[/b] go into the Red wire socket. [img]http://foxed.ca/RX-7/flashtopass/diodeplug.jpg[/img] Now all that is left is to reinsert the plug into the combination switch. Take care and ensure that both the connectors on the steering column and the diode all make good solid contact. You can test out the different functions now. Try pulling back on the stalk and ensure the lights pop up briefly and then retract. Ensure the high beams illuminate as well as the high beam indicator in the gauge cluster. Test all your turn signals and lights. [img]http://foxed.ca/RX-7/flashtopass/diodecluster.jpg[/img] Once you are satisfied that everything is working, replace the cover and try it all again. Sometimes things can get jostled when you screw the cover down. If something doesn't work, try removing the diode and re-seating it. It may take a few tries to get everything into the position for optimal contact. [b]A little added tech[/b] How this modification works is by allowing the high beam current to not only illuminate the high beams but as well to provide a little current to activate the headlamp raising circuitry. [img]http://foxed.ca/RX-7/flashtopass/sch.jpg[/img] We use a diode because we do not want the current from the headlight raising circuitry to flow through to the high beam circuitry. Diodes only allow current through in one direction, thus making them a perfect device for our means. The diode is shown in red in the schematic above.