Lighted emblem install – 2011 G37x sedan.

This is the emblem that can be purchased on eBay for $90 - $150 depending on the seller; however they all look the same from what I’ve seen. I don’t know the exact seller although they were based in Florida and my wife told me it was around $90 (she bought it as a gift for my birthday).
Link to most likely eBay seller.

Pros:
Good quality, ample wiring for install, even LED illumination, great fit

Cons:
Brighter chrome than factory grill so it stands out, no black in the housing like OEM, thicker than OEM due to design. I’ll insert black vinyl in the spring and will black out my grill to counter difference. Much bluer than HIDs or factory fogs as it's a LED. Changing out my fogs to LED will help balance the look and I may change HIDs to something with higher Kelvin such as 6K.

Install took about an hour or so. I soldered the light to existing wiring using the driver’s side marker in the headlight (accessed through fender liner). I didn’t install a fuse and the wire is taped and loomed so I’m not concerned.

Didn’t document the emblem swap as there are several videos/resources outlining the process to remove the trim above the radiator to get to the emblem.

Tools needed:

• Fender/trim clip removal tool or flat screwdriver
• Tools to remove filter box, inlet hose
• Wire cutters/stripper
• Soldering iron and solder
• Quality electrical tape (I use 3M Super 33+)
• Split loom
• Zip ties

Emblem before install:

 

Emblem installed in grill - you can see the difference in the chrome finish and how the aftermarket is brighter chrome:



Install was pretty straight forward. Ran wires behind grill brace towards driver's side headlamp.



Soldered the ground (black) wire to the ground of the factory horn:



For the 12v source, I used the marker in the driver's side headlamp. I accessed by pulling the fender liner down, removed the lamp then fed it back to the engine compartment for better access. I removed the driver's side filter box as well:



Soldered and taped to the positive wire (multi-meter)





New wire attached to existing marker feed - loomed and back in place.

 

I loomed the wire from the 12v tap back to the emblem. I did pay attention to creating a pull on the wires feeding the emblem as tension could eventually cause the emblem to fail - make sure everything is secured with wire ties.






I went to the driver's side as in my sedan there's a natural cutout for the split loom in the radiator support trim next to the hood release cable. The old me would have buried the wire below the radiator support:

 

Finished:

 

Thanks for this write-up.

Did you ever add the black vinyl to the interior portion of the emblem?

 

I did not as this year was full of house projects (slight remodel) and now we have an early winter in Iowa.

I've also noticed the chrome is starting to peel after about 7 months so I don't recommend the seller (not responding to messages on eBay). My wife bought it so I don't know who they are other than they're in Florida. However, the actual outermost emblem is fine so a wrap will fix the issue - plan on wrapping the inner section of the grill.

-Eric