LED Brake Lights

[Canada Kev]

I've run into a bit of a issue trying to remove my flasher to replace with an LED compatible one.

I can gain access through the frunk and the gas gauge hole, but the damn thing just won’t pull out. I don’t know if this is relevant, but the base isn’t firmly mounted to anything and even seems to be rubber mounted or encased in rubber. I don’t want to bugger anything up by pulling the factory relay out too enthusiastically.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

[kvdven]

I just did the same and had this too (also '87 car).

The relay does come free, just wiggle until it gives (some gently applied force required).

FYI - the relay is set in a socket similar to this one :





Pushing the new Led relay in is also a bit of a pain. Make sure the pins on the relay are bent slightly outward so they fit the socket openings.

[bugstrider]

I just recently got around to installing my pack from Spoke. When I accessed my replacement LED flasher box-whatchamacallit, I too experienced the most stubborn of removals.

This is what worked for me in our case. Seeing that there was no way it was coming free, I carefully worked to remove the entire rubber plug base and relay from the chassis, like the one shown by KVDVEN. I very carefully pulled the rubber base free from the chassis. It is held in place in the body by a small rubber plug on the bottom of the connector. Word of warning.... if you grab this thing and mongo it out of the retaining hole, all you will accomplish is sheering/ripping it off the base. Due to the age and condition of the rubber, extreme caution must be used.

Once this is pulled out, you can get a good grasp of the base and relay to work them apart. Once apart you can then inspect the base for any corrosion then reassemble. When reinserting the base plug back into the chassis, I found a little squirt of silicon spray helped it slide back into place.

Once again, this is what worked for me in my case. Hope this helps. I should also mention that my fuel tank is also out of the car which makes access much easier since I can now stand closer to the components allowing better access too.


Cheers Trevor

Here is one more thing to consider but it will all depend upon the condition of your housing and lenses. In my case, I picked up a set of used Bosch lenses. They were a little deformed where the attachment screws were located, so I needed to address that so I could use them.

Even with new seals on the light housing, there was a noticeable gap between the lens due to age, warpage etc..... since these new LED boards were a bit of an investment, I did not want to screw them up by allowing water to get to them.

As you can see, there is a thin lip on the outer edge of the lens.






The improvised gasket fits nicely and is soft enough to compress nicely without undue resistance when reinstalling the lenses.






The lenses re-installed and the new improvised gasket compresses nicely, filling up the voids/gaps.



This is the product I used. Picked it up at Home De-Pot. Comes with two runs side by side. I used some sharp scissors to split them, and then was able to carefully pull them apart by hand. When I attached them to the lenses, I put the straight factory edge on the outside of the plastic to be sure it was a good alignment along the outer edge. It really fit perfectly on the small lip of the lens.



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[deputydog95]

Are there any new releases related to his stuff?

Fronts, etc?

Been a while since I've checked in.

[bugstrider]

He has the new DLR/turn signal boards, but the front lenses need to be clear.

There has been some other updates but I think they are related to materials used. It took me 7 months to get around to installing them and because I broke one of the plastic tabs with my banana fingers, he was gracious enough to repair it for free. I contacted him through his web page and he was quick to reply. If you get a chance, visit his page, I am sure I missed bigger updates. He is also looks like he is doing things for bicycle wheels too, non Porsche related.


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[bugstrider]

...

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by deputydog95

Are there any new releases related to his stuff?

Fronts, etc?

Been a while since I've checked in.

Not sure, I guess it depends on the date of your last visit. He has developed the DLR/front turn signals and is now selling them. They really look good on the site and increases the visibility to our cars which is critical with today's distracted drivers. That might be an update for the fronts. I have yet to install mine because I need clear lenses and haven't ordered them. Hard to tell the lens quality when the prices range from $16.00 to $148.00.

It looks like he is also making things for bicycle wheels which look cool. When I was plugging one of my back-up light bases into the outlet, my banana fingers broke one of the plastic tabs, totally my bust. He was quick to respond to my email and was able to repair it with a super quick turn around. I highly recommend his boards front and back. All I'm missing now is an updated LED headlight.

Hope that answers you question.


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[deputydog95]

Originally Posted by bugstrider

Not sure, I guess it depends on the date of your last visit. He has developed the DLR/front turn signals and is now selling them. The really look good on the site and increases the visibility to our cars which is critical with today's distracted drivers. That might be an update for the fronts. I have yet to install mine because I need clear lenses and haven't ordered them. Hard to tell the lens quality when the prices range from $16.00 to $148.00.

It looks like he is also making things for bicycle wheels which look cool. When I was plugging one of my back-up light bases into the outlet, my banana fingers broke one of the plastic tabs, totally my bust. He was quick to respond to my email and was able to repair it with a super quick turn around. I highly recommend his boards front and back. All in missing now is an updated LED headlight.

Hope that answers you question.


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Thanks. Appreciate. Already have his left, right, and ET brake light upgrades. I guess I'll have to reach out re the fronts now.

Any suggestions on updated headlights? Looking myself. I have H4 but they still suck compared to a modern car...

[bugstrider]

No worries atoll.....

I'm still looking into the new headlights myself. I like the Singer style but I'm finding selecting ones is almost as bad as engine upgrades....

The question comes down to "How much I want to spend"...... I've seen price range from $200.00 - $1400.00. It's crazy........


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[deputydog95]

These seem to the ticket right now. Been emailing the seller a bit today. Nice guy, very responsive. Seems like these are showing up on a lot of the RWB builds, so I'm guessing they are probably decent.

His website isn't very good. Still under construction.

Flat6illumination

Good thread on RL though:

https://rennlist.com/forums/parts-marketplace/974208-bi-xenon-and-bi-led-headlights-for-porsche-911-sc-and-964-a.html

[A horse with no name]

Originally Posted by bugstrider

Not sure, I guess it depends on the date of your last visit. He has developed the DLR/front turn signals and is now selling them. The really look good on the site and increases the visibility to our cars which is critical with today's distracted drivers. That might be an update for the fronts. I have yet to install mine because I need clear lenses and haven't ordered them. Hard to tell the lens quality when the prices range from $16.00 to $148.00.

It looks like he is also making things for bicycle wheels which look cool. When I was plugging one of my back-up light bases into the outlet, my banana fingers broke one of the plastic tabs, totally my bust. He was quick to respond to my email and was able to repair it with a super quick turn around. I highly recommend his boards front and back. All in missing now is an updated LED headlight.

Hope that answers you question.


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I also have 'Spoke's LED boards installed in the front signal/park lights... I wanted to keep the stock look so I just use them as DRL's...The amber lens with his LED board is brighter looking than the clear ones.

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by A horse with no name

I also have 'Spoke's LED boards installed in the front signal/park lights... I wanted to keep the stock look so I just use them as DRL's...The amber lens with his LED board is brighter looking than the clear coloured ones.

So if I understand your post, you run the amber boards w/white DLR with the OEM amber lenses?


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[A horse with no name]

The stock amber lens...

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by A horse with no name

The stock amber lens...

Cool

Any chance you might have a pic of how that looks? I like the idea.

My electrical is in pieces so I can't install and see myself. I trying to get things back together.
Thanks


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[spoke]

Originally Posted by deputydog95

Are there any new releases related to his stuff?

Fronts, etc?

Been a while since I've checked in.

I moved everything over to a website as the list of boards available was growing:
http://www.spokeworksled.com

For the 911, I have:

Front turnsignals: All amber
Front turnsignals: White running LEDs + amber turnsignal LEDs

3rd brake light for periscope and inside window
Brakes in round (RS-like) and square (fill the cavity)
Rear turnsignals in amber or red to match the lens color
Reverse LEDs
Rear sidemarker LEDs.

The rear sidemarker LEDs were made mainly to steal power from the running lights to gently light up the turnsignals to greatly increase the running light footprint of the car.

Here's my '86 930 with front white/amber (ambers aren't on) and rear view. The front white LEDs turn off when the turnsignal is active to provide greater contrast for the amber turnsignals.

[spoke]

BTW, anyone who is running my LEDs should check them periodically to make sure all LEDs are still lit. If any are out, I will gladly repair for free. If within 6 months of purchase, I'll pay shipping both ways. After that, you pay shipping to me and I'll pay shipping back.

LEDs do not "burn out" like bulbs. Unlike bulbs which burn out and emit zero light, LED arrays may die one at a time or in strings of 2, 3, 4... and so on. I see many LED traffic signals where strings of green LEDs are out or flickering.

Since LEDs require a driving circuit, it is likely one of the driving circuit components have failed or a solder joint has given up. LEDs may die as well.

Check out this BMW convertible I was following. The right running/brake LED panel is ok with 20 LEDs lit but the left side only has 4 LEDs lit. This car likely would not pass state inspection. I wonder what it would cost to replace the driver side LED module?

[bugstrider]

Thanks Spoke,

Your boards are awesome!! Any pointers on sourcing the clear lenses? In looking around there is such a price contrast, I was wondering if they were basically all supplied by the same manufacturer.

Cheers Trev


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[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by deputydog95

These seem to the ticket right now. Been emailing the seller a bit today. Nice guy, very responsive. Seems like these are showing up on a lot of the RWB builds, so I'm guessing they are probably decent.

His website isn't very good. Still under construction.

Flat6illumination

Good thread on RL though:

https://rennlist.com/forums/parts-marketplace/974208-bi-xenon-and-bi-led-headlights-for-porsche-911-sc-and-964-a.html

Tanks mon. I will be checking them out.. I sent you a PM regarding another possibility. Although not even nearly as sexy as the ones from the site you mentioned.

Cheets




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[A horse with no name]

Originally Posted by bugstrider

Cool

Any chance you might have a pic of how that looks? I like the idea.

My electrical is in pieces so I can't install and see myself. I trying to get things back together.
Thanks


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The lights are far more brighter than they look in this photo..They're as bright as your rear LED signals / tail lights. ( Spoke's)

[spoke]

Clear front lenses are sold here for $19.25 each.

Part #: 10-8867-390-M350

1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe - Lights and Lenses - Page 9