Clear third brake light question. - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Allen K. Littlefield · 01-16-2008, 11:20 AM

I noticed that Eric at Bumper Plugs sells a clear or silver third brake light replacement. Have any of you installed one of these and what is your assesment? Any 'issues' in installation and how about clarity and intensity of the red light? If you have installed them on a Arctic Silver Boxster, could you post a photo and let me know if you have the smoke or silver one. I am getting itchy for another mod/hack and cannot yet paint my '03 vent covers until the weather heats up some. Thanks for any info. you can offer.

AKL

986speedster · 01-16-2008, 12:21 PM

I bought one from bumper plugs, the silver one. It has the LED lights in it. When you install it, you have to cut the original wires from the vehicle connection jack, and reverse them. This has to do with the polarity. Switch and tape them, and connect the male side from the new light. The LED's are bright. I should have gone with the smoked version. My car is black.

TimAustinW · 01-16-2008, 02:41 PM

Yeah, I got the smoked third brake light. Super easy to install. Took me about ten minutes. Just have to reverse the polarity of the wires. No issues or problems yet.

Allen K. Littlefield · 01-16-2008, 02:50 PM

...to both of you for replying. A shame you have to cut and change wires as you would think it would be made with the proper polarity. Do you think it is the way it is wired because of Europe and we are just an aftermarket? Sounds like a mod I will have to add to my list as I have changed the tailights, removed the Boxster script and painted the bumper blocks so the light will complete the smooth look.

AKL

PS Any buddy have a photo of their car with this mod in place?

Jeph · 01-16-2008, 03:59 PM

Even got the color for ya. But get this, I'm not sure if I'm smoked or clear. I think it's smoked... it matches the side markers pretty well.

I thought I read somewhere that you MAY have to do the wire switch, as if some cars require it, some don't. Mine did. Even so, the install is easy as can be.

These pictures also show what a difference silver bulbs vs. amber bulbs make.

Allen K. Littlefield · 01-17-2008, 08:10 AM

Ahh thank you Jeph, that is what I was looking for. I have the silver bulb in my clear tailights as you do. Now you will have to paint those bumper blocks. I like the clean look with everything silver. I also covet your Carrera spoke wheels. I imagine the light comes with instructions to determine if the polarity is correct or not but I imagine I will have to cut the wires, something I am loath to do especially if I eventually sell the car and want to put it back to bone stock. Thanks again for your response.

AKL

986speedster · 01-17-2008, 08:12 AM

Its mentioned in the directions that if when plugged in, the light doesnt work, you may have to cut the wires and switch sides. I plugged mine in, and it didnt work. I switched the wires, and it worked fine.

humara · 01-17-2008, 09:18 PM

i installed the clear 3bl from bumperplugs.
i did NOT cut any wires. have no idea why you would have to.
surprisingly bumperplugs was the cheapest place i could find this at.
looks great. lights look great.

John V · 01-18-2008, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humara

i did NOT cut any wires. have no idea why you would have to.

Simple. Because unlike incandescent bulbs, LEDs are polarized.

Allen K. Littlefield · 01-22-2008, 04:50 AM

Ordered the third brake light in silver from Eric the 'Plug Meister' last night so I will post pics when I have installed it. Looking forward to a little "global warming" to get us out of the record cold weather in the NE. My garage is not heated so I will have to wait until it is warm enough for my fingers to function while changing out the light.

AKL :dance: