Dim brake lights and rear turn signals

[Slush]

Hi

Twice in less than two weeks someone nearly rearended me, as I slowed down to turn off the main road. And I can't say I'm surprised. When the sun is out my brake lights and rear turn signals are pretty dim.

I'm driving a 1976 911 with red US spec rear turn signals. They are pretty old, so I replaced them with a new orange Euro spec set. It helped a bit, but not much. While I was there, I also cleaned the lenses.

What else can I do about it? Is it possible to switch to a high-powered light bulb? Or are there any aftermarket parts that can improve my brake lights and turn signals?

Thanks!

[proporsche]

check your ground connection to the rear tail light units..it is usually brown wire attached tot he rear bumper shock u shape bracket.

Ivan

here
Another DIY project: clean chassis ground point behind right rear tail light

[ramonesfreak]

Did you replace the bulbs? I just replaced all mine which I believe were original and the new ones are definitely brighter.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by proporsche

check your ground connection to the rear tail light units..it is usually brown wire attached tot he rear bumper shock u shape bracket.

Ivan

here
Another DIY project: clean chassis ground point behind right rear tail light

if not that, then remove the bulbs, and bend the little tab behind them forward - then clean both bulb end and tab

[Trackrash]

I went through this a while back. In addition to what others have said, use fine sand paper to clean the connections and bulb sockets.

I found that there was also corrosion on my fuse contacts. Lots of connections, and it is a good idea to check and clean them all.

I tried higher wattage bulbs, but on my '71 the wires don't support more current, so nothing to be gained FMI.

I also tried LED replacement bulbs with limited success, but worth trying.

[86 911 Targa]

The comment about cleaning/replacing the fuse contacts
seems to be the most logical as It's most unlikely that
all of the grounds are deffecrive.

Best,

Gerry

[targa80]

Any poor contacts points would add resistance to the circuit causing additional voltage drop. As a adjunct to cleaning contacts I would check your battery voltage then check the voltage drop across the bulb. As an example if your battery voltage is 13.5V and the voltage drop across bulb is 9.5v then you are dropping 4v somewhere else in the circuit. Find where the 4v is dropping and you found the cause of the problem. You will need an accurate schematic of the circuit to look for any other components in series with the bulb. The rear break lights are in parallel and should have identical voltage drop across them.

[Harpo]

Order led lights from SPOKE

[famoroso]

Originally Posted by Harpo

Order led lights from SPOKE

I second that emotion, however clean grounds and bulb electrical contacts are even more critical when switching to LEDs. I have Spoke's LEDs in both my 911s. Highly recommended upgrade!

Best practices: The proper voltage ceramic (not plastic) bullet fuses, fine sandpaper/ Emery cloth cleaning of all contacts in the circuit (I use a fiberglass pen to get into the bulb sockets), followed by Deoxit electrical contact cleaner / spray. Also, ensure good tension at the fuses and the bulb socket electrical contacts by gently bending the electrical tabs to ensure positive connections.

[Slush]

Thanks everyone!

I'll check the voltage drop and clean every fuse contact, ground connection and bulb socket. If there's a significant voltage gain, I'll post it here.

Hopefully that'll do the trick and, if not, there's always the LED solution.