3rd brake light bulbs?

[kyle_in_rure]

Does anyone know the correct number for the bulbs that go with the third brake light on a 97? Mine are too faded to read.

 

[z168]

This has always been a good guide for me - Auto Bulb Guide

to answer your question, its bulb 912

 

[kyle_in_rure]

Thanks! I was tried googling it first but obviously I wasn't looking hard enough.

 

[bedrck46]

you can also get some LED's for use in the third brake light

 

[z168]

Thats a good idea to use LEDs. I noticed the factory harnesses look sort of melted so its probably from the heat generated by the bulbs

 

[bedrck46]

the original bulbs are also used under the hood

 

[ks10308]

Thats a good idea to use LEDs. I noticed the factory harnesses look sort of melted so its probably from the heat generated by the bulbs

No no, bad idea for LED bulbs. I did it before. Unless you buy an actual LED housing/kit (like to replace the stock one and is a LED itself) it is a bad idea. The LEDs are not bright enough to shine through properly due to the thick red OEM plastic. At night, it is still fine (but faded), at day, you cant even tell it's on and can be dangerous. I know because I have done it and got pulled over b/c the cop thought my third brake light was out. example website: Anzo - Third Brake Lights - JCWhitney

 

[bedrck46]

No no, bad idea for LED bulbs.

I have to disagree with you as I have no problem with the LED's that I used they are plenty bright enough and they even passed the annual state inspection today. Much cheaper that a aftermarket set-up But it would all depend on the type of led's used.

 

[z168]

I have to disagree with you as I have no problem with the LED's that I used they are plenty bright enough and they even passed the annual state inspection today. Much cheaper that a aftermarket set-up But it would all depend on the type of led's used.

post daytime pics if possible.





I understand what ks10308 is saying - because the bulbs point upward the LEDs would not be as bright. Unless the LEDs are uni-directional cree types then it might work

 

[bedrck46]

as I said I have no problem but will admit in direct sunlight they are dimmer but then so are the 912 in direct sunlight and also would depend on the COP behind you will try to get some pics

 

[z168]

as I said I have no problem but will admit in direct sunlight they are dimmer but then so are the 912 in direct sunlight and also would depend on the COP behind you will try to get some pics

if its not too much to ask - would be great if you can replace 1 of the 3 bulbs with the regular 912 bulb and keep the other two LEDs.

 

[bedrck46]

the first pic is with 3 #912 installed
the second pic is with the middle #912 and the led's on the end
the third pic is with the above installed

I daylight they are a little dimmer but still you would be able to see the brake light so I would say that using the right LED's is not a bad thing

It may be that the red lenses defuses the White LED's somewhat. As I also have blue LED's in my running board lights and hardly notice any difference in them but the lens is a clear lens.

I do however plan on trying red led's to see if that does make a better improvement and will post the results when I get the red led's FYI

 

[kyle_in_rure]

I decided to get LEDs myself because the heat was wearing out the sockets. I ordered some from amazon and they actually seem brighter than the oldincandescents.


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[bedrck46]

which ones did you order are they white or red led's

 

[alaskanexpy]

With LED's you need to get the same color as the lens they are behind. if you use white leds with a red lens they will be much dimmer then they should.

I replaced mine on my excursion and expedition with 912 red LEDs, now quality and brightness all depends highly on the manufacturer. I've had hit and miss luck with different lights but these i bought are bright and i'm happy.



stock 912 bulbs



912 LED bulbs

 

[bedrck46]

With LED's you need to get the same color as the lens they are behind. if you use white leds with a red lens they will be much dimmer then they should.QUOTE]

Thank you for your post As I said LED's will work and provided you get the right ones it shouldn't be said that its a bad idea

 

[kyle_in_rure]

Mine were white but they still seemed brighter. My old ones were ancient and smoky so that may have something to dowith it. When I get a chance I'll take some photos


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[z168]

Thanks bedrck & alaskanexpy for posting pics!

@ alaskanexpy - where did you get your LEDs?

 

[kyle_in_rure]

Sorry to resurrect this thread but I've noticed a couple things...

I purchased some Red LED bulbs to install in the taillights. (These: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJEUUKU/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 )

They are red and are brighter than the regular incandescents I had installed, so I imagine red LED bulbs in the 3rd brake light would be brighter than the white LEDs, as others have said.

Anyway, I've noticed that when the engine is running and the hazard flashers are on, the third brake light LEDs will glow with about half the brightness of the taillights. Why would this be? Everything else functions normally. Just some stray voltage maybe?

 

[kyle_in_rure]

Here are the photos: The first one shows what I'm talking about with the 3rd brake light glowing with the hazard flashers.

The second and third are just all the brake lights illuminated.

Excuse the poor quality. .




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