Tail/Brake Lights

itstock · #1 (**permalink**) 07-29-2014, 04:01 PM

I have had a problem with the light housings since I got the car and finally decided to replace them. The problem is that there is too much heat and it melts the groove for the bulb where it locks in place. At worst, it's a a fire hazard, but it is obviously an annoyance when the brake light doesn't work, the tail light doesn't work, or neither work.

Do the dual filament LED's work? I know on some other cars they cause all kinds of problems, but being that these cars aren't completely filled with fancy electronics, I am thinking I am good to go. Are LED lamps the way to go?

A yes or no from people who have used them....

Thanks,
Steve

Cashburn · #2 (**permalink**) 07-29-2014, 04:06 PM

LEDs will remove the heat issue. I have part numbers for some direct replacements that work very well, however if your housings are broken or disfigured then another option is to hard wire in the LED arrays.

Is the housing beyond use?

GLS-BDR226 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-29-2014, 04:09 PM

I have LEDs for the brake lights. They work but you have to use clear silicon RTV to hold the bulbs in place. Otherwise they loosen and stop working.

Posted this at the same time Jay was posting. Obviously his solution would be the better fix.

KirkV · #4 (**permalink**) 07-29-2014, 04:50 PM

Yes! LEDs will work great

itstock · #5 (**permalink**) 07-29-2014, 05:01 PM

The housing is trash and I already ordered the new ones, I just didn't know if I was going to go with LED bulbs or stick with replacing the housing every couple of years. If the bulbs are good to go on the electrical system, I will just go that route. Are the led bulbs on the backdraft site the best option?

Here you can see not only the groove melted, but where the bulb was resting...

itstock · #6 (**permalink**) 07-29-2014, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLS-BDR226

I have LEDs for the brake lights. They work but you have to use clear silicon RTV to hold the bulbs in place. Otherwise they loosen and stop working.

Posted this at the same time Jay was posting. Obviously his solution would be the better fix.

Did you have regular bulbs in place before the LED's? I'm thinking that with new housings and LED's I might be able to avoid the loosening over time since there will be no heat, just the vibration.

Grey 65 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-29-2014, 05:17 PM

Check out this thread on the subject....

taillights only work on rare occasiion

Kevin.....

Cashburn · #8 (**permalink**) 07-29-2014, 08:20 PM

Those black plastic housings are notoriously weak. The white plastic are far better. I don't know where or when those came in but we've replaced MANY of them while cars were in for service without a charge. Shoot me an email...

GLS-BDR226 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-29-2014, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itstock

Did you have regular bulbs in place before the LED's? I'm thinking that with new housings and LED's I might be able to avoid the loosening over time since there will be no heat, just the vibration.

Yes, I replaced regular bulbs with the LEDs. But they kept losing contact until I used the silicon. Mine is an early model but I had the white housing.

Hrdayz · #10 (**permalink**) 08-03-2014, 07:25 PM

Just got back from getting ice cream with my grandson. While heading home in the dark several admirers all let me know my brake lights are not working. Came on to do a search and discovered this thread. I also have the black plastic housings and will be seeking a source for replacements. The regular bulbs are good but while into a repair the LED's sound like they would give some peace of mind for the future.

Cashburn · #11 (**permalink**) 08-03-2014, 08:45 PM

Since you have no lights as opposed to one, you likely have an unplugged brake light switch or the switch is gone from the heat. Housings are likely fine since they lasted that long.

Hrdayz · #12 (**permalink**) 08-04-2014, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cashburn

Since you have no lights as opposed to one, you likely have an unplugged brake light switch or the switch is gone from the heat. Housings are likely fine since they lasted that long.

Following my search that was next on my trouble shooting list. I'm surprised at the housing condition and I will upgrade them and swap to over to Led's. Thanks Jay!

AKA EDDY · #13 (**permalink**) 08-04-2014, 07:07 AM

I lined the inside of the housings with chrome tape to help reflect the heat and light. It's working well.

csw · #14 (**permalink**) 09-08-2015, 10:56 AM

Taillights aren't working again so I figured why I was trouble shooting (either bulbs are loose again or it's the switch), I might replace the tail lights with led. Do any of you guys who have done the swap have a part number as I see them from $3/pair on eBay to $16/each from the dealer so trying to figure out what you used and if you like the look. My fear has always been getting rear ended with my wife or kids in the car.
Thanks

GLS-BDR226 · #15 (**permalink**) 09-08-2015, 11:21 AM

I used the 1157 LED from superbrightleds.com. Here's the link https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...t-car/156/674/

These are for the brake lights. The turn signals use 1156 but I haven't changed those yet the LEDs have been in the car almost 5 years with no problem.

eunosracr · #16 (**permalink**) 09-08-2015, 12:25 PM

How simple is it to swap out the bulbs? Just go in through the trunk like on most cars?

GLS-BDR226 · #17 (**permalink**) 09-08-2015, 12:34 PM

Just unscrew the len from the outside. Two screws. Very quick.

eunosracr · #18 (**permalink**) 09-08-2015, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLS-BDR226

Just unscrew the len from the outside. Two screws. Very quick.

Thank you !

Xack · #19 (**permalink**) 09-08-2015, 03:20 PM

#1. Bulbs are not your problem. You have plastic housings which are a solution to rusty housings, but, The problem I see is that you have some kind of cheap melting plastic which needs to be made out of metal or ABS. Finishlineaccessories.com can help source the proper Lucas lamp.

#2 LED Bulbs. I have a PN for you which is outstanding. Motorcycle LED Lighting by Custom Dynamics
GEN-20-R-1157 Its a standard bulb which is in a circular array. It's very bright and has a brighter flash circuit. But, here is the kicker, you need to put a load on your blinker circuit for your flasher to work properly. The LED lights draw only a few milliamps current and the flasher circuit is designed to work with incandescent bulbs of only a few ohms resistance. i.e. 12 volt bulbs. It's not a problem, they make loads which you can hook up in parallel to the blinker lamp. Here is the PN for the flasher replacement option. "EDFR"

jimbo01 · #20 (**permalink**) 09-09-2015, 01:52 PM

I replaced the brake, tail & turn and front lights with LED's from Superbrite LED's. Replaced the flasher with a flasher for LED lights. Now I have got rid of the heat and they work fine and look much better than the original bulbs. Don't get the wide angle bulbs from them, get the 19 degree bulbs. Why change the brake bulb and not the rest. Makes no sense to me.