Blinking/flashing LED 3rd brake light
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From: GA
'06 Lexus GS300 RWD, '07 Camry SE V6 auto, '91 190E 2.6 auto
Originally Posted by vadim
If unsure, it is very easy to tell if the light is LED: those light up and extinguish very quickly - noticeably quicker than incandescent bulbs; a human eye can detect the speed difference. Have someone hit the brake pedal while you watch from behind. If all 3 lights come up simultaneously - they are all incandescent. If the 3-rd light is visibly ahead of the two side signals - it is LED.
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From: Brisbane, Australia
C200K (w204)
Watch it in a distance and repeaatedly, let your eyes adjust. You can also do it yourself, if u have a white garage or sth reflective. Doesn't new BMW has that blinking LED brake??
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From: GA
'06 Lexus GS300 RWD, '07 Camry SE V6 auto, '91 190E 2.6 auto
A pic of the underside of my trunk w/ carpet removed. You can see the two satellite antenna leads in the center with the syrofoam cushions on the ends to keep them from rattling around. I THINK to remove the third brakelight, you remove 4 torx screws accessible through 4 holes behind the light bar. You can see 3 of the 4 torx screws in this pic. The 4th is hidden behind the wire loom.
Last edited by Jim Banville; May 30, 2005 at 11:15 AM.
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From: Burnaby
2002 CL203
I don't know about the sedan, but I was sure when I bought the car, 02 coupe, that it mentioned that the thried LED brake light was a safety feature and that it responded faster then bulbs....
And now, I have proof, I just took it apart, intending to change them to LEds and low and behold, they already were LEDs.
And now, I have proof, I just took it apart, intending to change them to LEds and low and behold, they already were LEDs.
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From: Ashburn, VA
'19 GLC 300, '19 TM3SR+
Originally Posted by DACHIGGA
Here's a couple pics, I didn't have my Digicam so I stuck them under the scanner.
BTW you can even see the the die inside the LEDs.
BTW you can even see the the die inside the LEDs.
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Burnaby
2002 CL203
Originally Posted by vadim
LED they are, indeed!! Now I have to take mine apart, 'cause all this time I had been living thinking that they are incandescent bulbs!!!
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From: Ashburn, VA
'19 GLC 300, '19 TM3SR+
Originally Posted by DACHIGGA
HAHAHAH, I thought I would have saved you the trouble...... hahahha
Then again - who knows, maybe yours is different? Nothing uncommon in switching components in the middle of production cycle.
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From: White Lake, MI
04 C320 Coupe MT
Originally Posted by Jim Banville
A pic of the underside of my trunk w/ carpet removed. You can see the two satellite antenna leads in the center with the syrofoam cushions on the ends to keep them from rattling around. I THINK to remove the third brakelight, you remove 4 torx screws accessible through 4 holes behind the light bar. You can see 3 of the 4 torx screws in this pic. The 4th is hidden behind the wire loom.
You are correct, the four torx screws have to be taken out, and then those metal clips will fall all over the place (don't lose any of them) and the light comes out. Before installation, but the clips back, with the ends of the tabs inside the light, and install the screws, and then the light assembly will snap right in.
I hope that makes sense! It's funny how you can see things in your mind, but it's really hard to translate that to words!
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Originally Posted by mbbodytech
I hope that makes sense! It's funny how you can see things in your mind, but it's really hard to translate that to words!
The procedure seems easy when you do it, but writing it down IS tough.
I think the best way to do it is by doing a step-by-step method inserting a picture/photo/diagram at each step.
I guess that's the methodical / perfectionist / analytical side of me.
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
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From: GA
'06 Lexus GS300 RWD, '07 Camry SE V6 auto, '91 190E 2.6 auto
Originally Posted by mbbodytech
Jim,
You are correct, the four torx screws have to be taken out, and then those metal clips will fall all over the place (don't lose any of them) and the light comes out. Before installation, but the clips back, with the ends of the tabs inside the light, and install the screws, and then the light assembly will snap right in.
I hope that makes sense! It's funny how you can see things in your mind, but it's really hard to translate that to words!
You are correct, the four torx screws have to be taken out, and then those metal clips will fall all over the place (don't lose any of them) and the light comes out. Before installation, but the clips back, with the ends of the tabs inside the light, and install the screws, and then the light assembly will snap right in.
I hope that makes sense! It's funny how you can see things in your mind, but it's really hard to translate that to words!
Thanks. I sort of figured it worked that way. I look at it like this: imagine the light is already out and you want to install it. You must screw 4 "V" shaped metal spring clips to the back of the light housing, sort of like how spring loaded wall anchors work. As you press the light housing into the hole in the trunk from the outside, the metal clips compress. Just as the light is completely in place, the clips clear the mouth of the hole and they pop back to their natural shape and press against the back of the sheetmetal, holding the light in place. To remove the light, unscrew the clips - they will fall loose and the light will come out.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: CA
08 E63
Have we come to a conclusion if the sedans are LED? Are the pre-05 sedans incandescant and the newer models LED? And if sedans are incandescant, can we swap with the coupe's LED's?
My car is an 02 sedan and the 3rd light looks like 1 incandescant from the outside. It also does not appear to light up any faster than the other incandescent brake lights. thanks
My car is an 02 sedan and the 3rd light looks like 1 incandescant from the outside. It also does not appear to light up any faster than the other incandescent brake lights. thanks
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From: Burnaby
2002 CL203
Originally Posted by K9ff
Have we come to a conclusion if the sedans are LED? Are the pre-05 sedans incandescant and the newer models LED? And if sedans are incandescant, can we swap with the coupe's LED's?
My car is an 02 sedan and the 3rd light looks like 1 incandescant from the outside. It also does not appear to light up any faster than the other incandescent brake lights. thanks
My car is an 02 sedan and the 3rd light looks like 1 incandescant from the outside. It also does not appear to light up any faster than the other incandescent brake lights. thanks
