The MX-5 turn signal clicking sound is very quiet. Often times when driving with the top open, it’s easy to forget to turn it off. There are a few discussions and solutions on the Miata forum about this issue. Some solutions that are available on the market require permanent installation with taping car wires.
I decided to make an audible reminder as a plug-n-play module utilizing an OBD port. Because all the car status messages and warning beeps are accessible through a CAN bus, this is the best option, in my opinion.
By reusing my previous boards with CAN microcontroller, I made a very quick prototype.
In this implementation, a warning beep is produced by a buzzer located inside the Instrument Cluster, initiated by a CAN message. I chose a 4 short double beeps option. It is the same alarm sound as when you are trying to lock the car with the key inside. Kind of a gentle reminder.
My implementation starts a 40-second timer, only if the car is in motion (above 2mph). This will avoid unnecessary beeping when waiting at an intersection with the turn signal on.
After 40 seconds on the move with active blinker, it will beep 4 times and wait another 40 seconds, and so on.
I designed a simple 3D printed enclosure. My module is now ready to hit the road!
The location of the OBD port in this car is perfect for a footwell light, as well. I decided to integrate my timer with an LED light. Utilizing the CAN bus, I can get the status of door action, so as soon as the door opens – the light goes on. When the door is closed – the light slowly fades to off. And again, there’s no need to tap any extra wires, like in other available solutions. The OBD port has a nonswitchable power source. There’s no need to start the car to activate the light. The microcontroller has a power-saving sleep mode. As soon as the CAN message stops it goes to sleep (consuming less than 1mA), and it wakes up as soon as CAN activity starts, which is activated by opening the door or pressing buttons on the key fob.
The next step is to design a production-ready board and a more slick enclosure.
After testing this device during driving, I realized that 40 sec. timeout is way too long, so I reduced it to 16 sec. The beeping sound is still too quiet, especially if the radio is on and the top is open. To make it more noticeable, I decided to use constant beeping, until you actually turn off the blinker.
This device is available in my store.
Discussion on Miata forum is here.
Gadgets for my MX-5 Miata (ND) 
Hey nice job. I am the guy who you were emailing with about the canbus messages for the beeping. Another thing you may be able to do is use the Lane Departure Warning message to play the rumbling noise over the car stereo. It will mute one side and play a deep, rumbling noise which may be better since it is much more noticable than a beep on the dash especially if you are driving top down with your music turned up.
LikeLike
agree, this will be much better.
LikeLike
Not having that feature, I’m not familiar with the sound, but sounds like a great idea!
LikeLike
cant wait until this is available. i contantly forget to turn of my signals
LikeLike
Ahhh yes this will be a nice feature to add to my 124 Spider. mahalo sir!
LikeLike
I’ve written about another potential application of this device – people with the Sport mode button would like to not have to manually activate the Sport mode, every time they start their car, but instead have it activated automatically, if it was engaged when the engine was last turned off. See my article for schematics and details at https://21stcenturyfiat124spider.wordpress.com/2018/09/29/abarths-sport-mode-switch/
LikeLike
Pingback: Adding front parking camera and more… | Gadgets for my MX-5 2016 (ND)
Pingback: Keeping the radio on after the engine shuts off | Gadgets for my MX-5 2016 (ND)
Would be a great option but unfortunately my aftermarket dash camera is wired to constant power via the OBD2 port. Any chance you could make some kind of pass through option with this? It’s a long shot I know but one never knows without asking!!
LikeLike
I have option without connector, 8″ wires instead, which you can tap. You can also use OBD splitter
something like this https://www.amazon.com/GEMWON-Extension-Connector-Diagnostic-Extender/dp/B071WY9LFN/
LikeLike
Tested in the CX-5 2019, works perfectly, footwell light and blinker reminder. I think it will work same way in CX-3 as well
LikeLike
Great products! I really love the products I ordered. Regarding the model Warning Timer for Turn Signal, I just received it with wires for permanent installation, but I wonder if installation instructions are available? I would not want to go wrong by connecting cables …
LikeLike
sorry, no installation guide yet, but you can connect loose wires behind OBD connector to the same pins. Red wire (HS-CAN-L) to Red, White (HS-CAN-H) to White, Black to Black (ground) and Blue (or Green) to the Pink wire – which is constant power.
LikeLike
Perfect. I’ll try tomorrow, thank you!
LikeLike
Hum, two Black (identical) wires (one near the Pink wire and the other near the White wire) and two Pink wires but one thicker than the other, so I guess it’s the right one. For Black wires can I take one or the other?
LikeLike
The rest of the story for those who are asking the same question than me…
After Googling, I found an advice to use chassis ground rather than signal ground and detailed specifications of ODBII (thanks to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics# OBD-II_diagnostic_connector). So, in summary, use the finest pink wire (on pinout 16) not the thickest (on pinout 3) and use the Black wire closest the Pink wire (pinout 4).
LikeLike
Pingback: Measuring dark current. | Gadgets for my MX-5 Miata (ND)