how should my taillighs work?

[dcarlson]

ok maybe sounds like dumb question but I have no other car around for comparison. I ask primarily because bulbs I ordered from our host were marked as for turn signal and they came with two terminals on base/two filaments, and the light socket for the turn signal has only one contact and the burned out old bulb is a single filament. No way it will it accept base of the double filament new bulb. So maybe just snafu with the online bulb listing for turn signal bulb. Anyway the lights are as follows - outside one is a side marker, next is turn signal, next clear back-up, then tailight/brake light. Only the side marker and tailight /brake are lit when the lights are turned on. (The turn signal flashes when you activate the turn signal - the back -up is on when you are in reverse, and the tail light glows brighter when brakes applied as it should.) Does this sound about right? I thought possibly all the red lens lights could be on all times for max tailights at night but I guess it is just the two I mentioned...

[dcarlson]

(86 911 carrera )

[RSBob]

Is your car US spec or European? Euro cars have side marker turn lights on the front fenders up and behind the front tires.

[dcarlson]

sorry - I believe it is US spec -I am really only concerned with rear lights - fronts are sorted. Surprised to find cracks in the right side lens assembly and replacement was $499 new..yikes, etc.. I'll live with the cracks..

[Pstallo]

I have an 86 Carrera and have noticed that my front turn signal bulbs require the offset pins on the metal shaft of the bulb, but the rear turn signals have pins that are at the same level. Is that what yours are like?

I'm trying to figure out if this is only on the 86 or if it's on all of the 74-89 models. According to everything I can find online, the front and rear turn signal bulbs should be the same, but they definitely aren't on mine!

[DRACO A5OG]

They way you described is how it works.

Turn Single Filament vs Brake Dual Filament

[dcarlson]

Originally Posted by Pstallo

I have an 86 Carrera and have noticed that my front turn signal bulbs require the offset pins on the metal shaft of the bulb, but the rear turn signals have pins that are at the same level. Is that what yours are like?

I'm trying to figure out if this is only on the 86 or if it's on all of the 74-89 models. According to everything I can find online, the front and rear turn signal bulbs should be the same, but they definitely aren't on mine!

my rear turns are definitely the same level and single filament. maybe I can check fronts tomorrow.. curiouser and curiouser ...

[Pstallo]

I'm thinking that there was a change mid-year or something for the turn signals... I had sent both types of LED replacement bulbs to several forum members and I'm waiting to hear which ones use which types on the front and rear.

[dcarlson]

well I can see where the fronts likely are different - they are constant on then need to additionally flash for turns, so dual filament seems needed, and dual filament bulbs have the offset pins. I guess all I am really thinking is geez: overall these rear tailights are pretty small/skimpy where they could have had at least one other bulb as a constant on with a dual filament for a turn signal... that big "PORSCHE" reflector in the center could have been illuminated. (may the gods forgive me for second-guessing our designers!)

[fintstone]

The ones you describe are the brake lights with 2 filaments sand offset pins. The turn signals are single filaments with the even pins.


Our host's catalog seems to be incorrect.

The way you describe the rear lights operation is as designed.

The lens crack are typical...from over tightening the screws slightly. They are quite brittle.

[dcarlson]

Originally Posted by fintstone

The ones you describe are the brake lights with 2 filaments sand offset pins. The turn signals are single filaments with the even pins.


Our host's catalog seems to be incorrect.

The way you describe the rear lights operation is as designed.

The lens crack are typical...from over tightening the screws slightly. They are quite brittle.

thanks for your input - BTW this particular crack is not near the screws, looks like maybe some impact..

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by dcarlson

thanks for your input - BTW this particular crack is not near the screws, looks like maybe some impact..

No problem.

When you install them, you have to also be careful to start each screw and tighten a little...then another...as flexing them even slightly will cause a crack...nowhere near the screws.