Upgrade to LED 3rd Brake light (Page 1/2)
fierosound AUG 19, 04:14 PM
For this upgrade, you want the 12V Red 42 LED panel - Dimensions: 127mm x 28mm
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/253816257643




It's almost a perfect fit, but 2 of the corners need to be filed down slightly. I used an angle grinder with worn out flap wheel.




This is what it looks like with a test fit once you get it right.




Then just solder +Power (Red) and -Ground (Green) wires to the appropriate connections on the panel.




Take the original brake light bulb and snip off the bulb itself. You want the socket.




Solder the +Power and -Ground wires from panel to appropriate leads in the socket - and test.
You can see what orientation I have, but check wiring diagram to make sure.




Last thing I did was add a dab of hot glue in each corner to secure the LED panel.




Installed and looks beautiful. It matches the LED light panels I installed in the GT tail lights. It took less than 1 hour.


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[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 08-20-2022).]

Spadesluck AUG 19, 10:51 PM
Very Nice
ArthurPeale AUG 21, 10:08 PM
Does it have to be red? The lens is already red.
fierosound AUG 21, 10:20 PM

quote
Originally posted by ArthurPeale:

Does it have to be red? The lens is already red.




If you use white LEDs, the end result will look PINK...
ArthurPeale AUG 22, 02:40 AM

quote
Originally posted by fierosound:
If you use white LEDs, the end result will look PINK...



Weird. The original bulb doesn't show pink, why would that?

I did my corner lamps with white LEDs, 4000K, the red aren't pink. Is it because of the spectrum of these specific ones?
ArthurPeale AUG 22, 02:48 AM
Wow, whowoulda thunk? Never given it any thought until now

https://www.autobulbsdirect...b-behind-a-red-lens/
J Gunsett AUG 22, 08:55 AM
Arthur, great video find.
theogre AUG 22, 02:34 PM
US link https://www.ebay.com/itm/253816257643

While Illegal as other external lights, this is about the only thing to replace w/ LED in Fiero...
Because 889 bulb will cook the fixture and even the trim under it in areas w/ heavy traffic problems. LED could have similar heat problem but will get to it bit later...

I don't like the panel so close to the lens to see dots. Someone make/made an LED that drop in replace for 889 and other in same format but believe that replaces 50+ watt halogen and likely way too bright to replace 889 27w.

Result should be about same brightness as halogen 889 bulb they replace and no-one bothers to test this when finish.
A basic test is find any cheap light meter for cameras etc. then add/use a cut down box to limit extra light pollution and measure output thru the Lens and rear glass before and after to see if their close to same number.

IOW LED may look good in a garage, at night, but often fails in daylight even without direct sun light issues. Or Way too bright and blind drivers behind w/ taillights @ night.

Even ignore that... LED many work for some not other even if all install same way w/ same type for other reason not or barely covered in the cave or anywhere else. Highlights:
Heat they make, Heat when parked outside, and other heat problems.
LED don't like "Dirty" power in most cars either. Nothing to block power noise and surges killing most of the LED "upgrades."
Worse if LED are "over driven" to make more light... Could be the "wrong" choice of resistors etc to limit power. But Remember "12v" in cars is typically 14+v (15-20% more volts) when engine runs and that can over drive the LED too. More so when only have resistors to limit power.

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theogre AUG 22, 02:41 PM

quote
Originally posted by ArthurPeale:
Wow, whowoulda thunk? Never given it any thought until now

https://www.autobulbsdirect...b-behind-a-red-lens/

This UK "company" looks like many "companies" in the US selling Illegal "upgrades" as in UK MOT will Fail an Inspection installing HID and other crap they sell. Unlike US States that have Poor or No Inspection, Every UK Vehicle must Pass a MOT Inspection and their rules are much stricter then here.

This "video" barely showing some of info covered in my Cave, LED poisoning posted ~ 20 years ago when the lens color doesn't LED light output.

Fiero High Brake Lens like fixtures in the video may match the Red Leds more the other old taillights. "White" LED are use Blue or UV LED to "run" a mix of phosphors to produce whatever "white" output cause problems like any Cool White often output Pink or close to that behind Red LEDs.

It ignores CANBUS LED and Ballast resistors often causes problems adding to heat problems in above post.
fierosound AUG 22, 11:32 PM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:

I don't like the panel so close to the lens to see dots. Someone make/made an LED that drop in replace for 889 and other in same format but believe that replaces 50+ watt halogen and likely way too bright to replace 889 27w.




There is a shorter 24 LED panel (80mm x 28mm) available that could be mounted further back in the housing, and so further away from the red lens.

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 08-22-2022).]