EURO taillights

I am switching to the EURO taillight lenses, but I will have to switch the bulb holders also. For now, the outer bulb holder (which will be amber) has not only the turn light, but also the brake (or rear light - depending on the wiring).

Switching only the inner contacts will not work, because the two bulbs look different. Are there combined rear light/brake light bulbs? (5-7W and 15W)

Any ideas?


Thank you,

Andreas

I converted all red rear lights to red/amber lights for here in the UK.

I had to swap the bulbs holders (or infact replace them both with new ones as the holes for the bulb holders are different diameter once you remove the holder).

My kit supplier provided all the parts.

Fairly stressful on a new pair of lights, but not too difficult.

Tail and brake light on a dual filament bulb is the norm

Simon

Andreas: I had to read your post really carefully before responding. You may be making an easy job hard. The outer segments of the tail lights do indeed and should have the dual filament bulb. The dimmer filament will be your tail/parking light and the brighter filament is for the turn signal.(both amber) The single filament inner segments of the tail light is meant to be the brake/stop lights.(red) I just changed the wire leads to the appropriate sockets and filaments to be like this when I put my euro lenses on. Many speedsters are set up with the brake light and tail lights on the outter segment together and the turn signals on the inners which is fine if you have all red lenses. One manufacturer told me this was for safety issues.(thinking that the stop light on the outer segment is easier to see from behind) But I've seen cars with amber stop lights and it just doesn't look right. Here's a few pics of mine before and after.

BD

Simon,

I was hoping that you will read this. Do you have any idea where I could get these extra bulb holders?

Bill,

Of course I am trying to make it hard. But seriously, the way the lights are wired now, is that the rear/tail light is on the outside and is amber (as is the turn signal). I am afraid that for the car registration in Germany I will need a red stop and rear/tail light.

I will not touch the outher bulb holder and bulb. I now just want to rewire the rear/tail light to the inner bulb holder, so that both will be red....whenever I find a way to add a bulb holder with two contacts to the inside.

Thanks,
Andreas

I see what you mean, I wondered the same thing with my PA inspection and the amber tail lights. No problem here, but I did have the red lenses with me in case they wouldn't let it fly. Maybe if you research the German laws you might find something. I seem to remember that some German cars in the 50's and 60's had amber rear tail lights. I also thought of putting a red bulb behind the amber part also. They make a lot of nice colored bulbs now for the "ricer revolution".

BD

Andreas,

The parts were marked Tex classic
E99970 single pole metal bulb holder and
E99980 double pole metal bulb holder

Haven't been able to find a supplier (mine came in a kit of parts from Chesil) as yet for you. Will try and find out from Chesil themselves.

Regards,

Simon

Andreas:

If you wish to change the inner bulb holder from a single lead to a two-lead holder, then try one of these two part numbers at a local auto parts store (doubt that Autozone will have them, but you can try):

Standard Motor Products - catalog ENGB-99 Page 330
Part Number S-27 Double contact Socket fits 7/8" - 1 1/8" opening
Part Number S-29 Same as above - snap-in for 1 1/8" hole
Part number S-32 double contact socket and pigtail assy (snap-in)

Motormite Catalog #MM2100 Page 66
Part Number 85802 or Dorman P/N 643-006 Double Contact 7/8" - 1 1/8" hole

Any of these should work.......try Foreign Autoparts (might be Import Autoparts, now) or just ask at any parts counter if they carry stuff from the Standard or Motormite catalogs (most of the NAPA stores do or can find a cross-reference).

Good luck!

Gordon

I bought new sockets at Lordco Auto Parts. They were something like $12.00 for all four. The one thing is you have to put some sort of heat shield in your lens. Otherwise, the brakes will melt the lights real quick. I siliconed a piece of aluminum to the top of the brake light inside the lens. No more problems.

Just curious, has anyone tried those LED brake light bulbs? They are supposed to give off less heat, which probably make sense in these lamps.