C5 Tail Lights & More

[VantaR]

Hi All,

It's time I tackle my brake lights. My indicators flash at an insane speed and I've figured this is due to the burnt brake light... Does anybody know what the bulb is? I was considering LED's but can anybody talk me out of modernising the car? In the picture the right-most light is burnt, is it as simple as unscrewing the unit and twisting the new bulb in?



Seperately, i've been considering tinting the front corner house units, so that they are congruent with the rest of the car. By doing so i'd be reducing the visibility of the indicator, so would it be advisable I switch the corners to LED's and would this be easy to do? If so, could anybody recommend a bulb I can switch in? If I install the LED's I imagine i'll need a hyperflash harness. Would this cause my halogens at the back to be extra slow? Picture of the corner units I want to tint:

 

[Llewelyn]

Hi Vanta

The bulbs in the rear are really easy to replace, if you unscrew the two torx screws (t15 I think), the entire unit will come out and you can just remove the bulb holder and bulb.

The quick flashing indicators is probably being caused by a dirty connection or bad ground somewhere... If the bulbs haven't been replaced for a while I'd recommend taking all of the lamp units out and giving them a clean/spray with some contact cleaner...

 

[VantaR]

Hi Vanta

The bulbs in the rear are really easy to replace, if you unscrew the two torx screws (t15 I think), the entire unit will come out and you can just remove the bulb holder and bulb.

The quick flashing indicators is probably being caused by a dirty connection or bad ground somewhere... If the bulbs haven't been replaced for a while I'd recommend taking all of the lamp units out and giving them a clean/spray with some contact cleaner...

Thank you Llewelyn, I figured the process would be easy. I think the issue with the flashing is a combination of the bulb being burned out + my hazard switch won't stay on and from what i've read if the hazard switch goes bad, the turn signals will flash fast too (as the turn signals are wired in through the hazard switch). Supposedly a permanent fix after i've replaced the siwtch is the hyperflash harness that bypasses that, but will that cause my halogens to slow?

Do you know what the replacement bulb part number is for the tail light I need to replace?

 

[VantaR]

sorry to bump.. anybody have any ideas??

 

[Llewelyn]

sorry to bump.. anybody have any ideas??

The best thing you can do is take your tail lights out and have a look! Re bulb type, I am not sure what the part number is but I think it's a twin filament offset pin standard stop/tail light bulb, pretty standard. Any motor factor will be able to match it up for you. I would't worry about complicating things with a hyperflash module or similar

 

[C5Steve]

As Llewelyn says, take the lens off and check the bulbs then just pop into Halfords or something (or buy online). It looks like yours are Euro spec so they'll be different to US spec lights.

As for your question on converting to LEDs, I'd only do it if you're going to replace the entire rear light unit, in which case you'll need to swap back to a US spec loom (very easy) as the only LED units are made in the US for US cars (although they do come with Amber indicators as needed). Vette lights and Sharp Light Innovations do some, I have the latter on mine. I like them because they come with the hyperflash harness built in, use all four lights for everything as well.

Your front indicators, you can get blackout covers that slot in front and mean you don't need to tint your current unit. I have them on mine (car came with them). As for MOTs etc, never been an issue on mine you can still see the light clearly through them. I also did try swapping over to LED bulbs and there was zero difference in brightness so not worth it.

 

[VantaR]

The best thing you can do is take your tail lights out and have a look! Re bulb type, I am not sure what the part number is but I think it's a twin filament offset pin standard stop/tail light bulb, pretty standard. Any motor factor will be able to match it up for you. I would't worry about complicating things with a hyperflash module or similar

As Llewelyn says, take the lens off and check the bulbs then just pop into Halfords or something (or buy online). It looks like yours are Euro spec so they'll be different to US spec lights.

As for your question on converting to LEDs, I'd only do it if you're going to replace the entire rear light unit, in which case you'll need to swap back to a US spec loom (very easy) as the only LED units are made in the US for US cars (although they do come with Amber indicators as needed). Vette lights and Sharp Light Innovations do some, I have the latter on mine. I like them because they come with the hyperflash harness built in, use all four lights for everything as well.

Your front indicators, you can get blackout covers that slot in front and mean you don't need to tint your current unit. I have them on mine (car came with them). As for MOTs etc, never been an issue on mine you can still see the light clearly through them. I also did try swapping over to LED bulbs and there was zero difference in brightness so not worth it.

You're both right, just being lazy here It's been raining non stop the past week and so i've been a little hesitant to get the electrics out but i'll be patient...

Yes! I like the idea of these acrylic covers, looks like the previous owner had them on my other side light units. Is this the one you'd go for?? Seems to be the only one i can find: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corvette-A...ut/dp/B01M7R05HQ?tag=operagx-def-sp-co2-gb-21

I spoke to Sharp Light Innovations this week actually.. turns out there's no halo light / LED tail light solution for my euro spec, as the reverse lamps are within the tail lights (as seen in the above pic) in comparison to next to the number plate on US spec cars. He suggested i mount the reverse lights somewhere else but i think that defeats the purpose of trying to make the car look cleaner.

That being said, please do let me know re the acrylic black outs.. do they really let a lot of light through? I can't get my head around it! Do you have any more pictures of it?? I also have 2 sequential led corner lights and all 4 led halo smoked tail lights which are now of no use to me. So if anybody would like to take them off my hands I'd be happy. All brand new in the BOX for a US spec..

 

[C5Steve]

You're both right, just being lazy here It's been raining non stop the past week and so i've been a little hesitant to get the electrics out but i'll be patient...

Yes! I like the idea of these acrylic covers, looks like the previous owner had them on my other side light units. Is this the one you'd go for?? Seems to be the only one i can find: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corvette-A...ut/dp/B01M7R05HQ?tag=operagx-def-sp-co2-gb-21

I spoke to Sharp Light Innovations this week actually.. turns out there's no halo light / LED tail light solution for my euro spec, as the reverse lamps are within the tail lights (as seen in the above pic) in comparison to next to the number plate on US spec cars. He suggested i mount the reverse lights somewhere else but i think that defeats the purpose of trying to make the car look cleaner.

That being said, please do let me know re the acrylic black outs.. do they really let a lot of light through? I can't get my head around it! Do you have any more pictures of it?? I also have 2 sequential led corner lights and all 4 led halo smoked tail lights which are now of no use to me. So if anybody would like to take them off my hands I'd be happy. All brand new in the BOX for a US spec..

I'll try and get a clip of the indicators but that link you posted looks exactly the same as mine. The pic on the amazon page at the bottom (the one showing DRLs on) is exactly how they look with the indicators flashing.

As for the rear lights, if you really wanted to you could get a US harness, US spec rear plat mount with the reverse lights built in and then swap in the LED rear lights as they'd be plug and play with the US harness. You'd probably be looking at around £100 for the harness (few on eBay, search C5 rear harness) and then whatever the plate mount will cost. You'd need a new plate as well obviously in the US spec size.

Personally (so feel free to ignore what's just my opinion! ), as you've already got all the Euro-spec stuff at the rear I'd stick with it as is. Maybe change the outer lenses for red/clear as well and swap the bulbs to a silver/amber ones to clean it up a bit bit I think it all works well with the red/black theme you have going on.

If you were keen on having smoked rears, you can just buy covers that attach with velcro (had these on mine as well). They just pop over the whole lens. If I can dig mine out I'll post a pic.

 

[VantaR]

I'll try and get a clip of the indicators but that link you posted looks exactly the same as mine. The pic on the amazon page at the bottom (the one showing DRLs on) is exactly how they look with the indicators flashing.

As for the rear lights, if you really wanted to you could get a US harness, US spec rear plat mount with the reverse lights built in and then swap in the LED rear lights as they'd be plug and play with the US harness. You'd probably be looking at around £100 for the harness (few on eBay, search C5 rear harness) and then whatever the plate mount will cost. You'd need a new plate as well obviously in the US spec size.

Personally (so feel free to ignore what's just my opinion! ), as you've already got all the Euro-spec stuff at the rear I'd stick with it as is. Maybe change the outer lenses for red/clear as well and swap the bulbs to a silver/amber ones to clean it up a bit bit I think it all works well with the red/black theme you have going on.

If you were keen on having smoked rears, you can just buy covers that attach with velcro (had these on mine as well). They just pop over the whole lens. If I can dig mine out I'll post a pic.

Seems like a lot of effort just for the LEDS, I think i'll just get that burnt bulb replaced haha. I was looking for red/clear outer lenses but can only find a few and they're all extortionate... I think the acrylic amazon link thing is the last thing I need for all the black accents.

My offer is still open though. I have the sequential smoked corner lights and the smoked halos for a US spec + a hyperflash harness. Happy to let them go for free if anybody wants them, just come pick them up

Also a very small flexible ducktail, all things that the previous owner threw in so happy to let them go to someone who wants them!!

 

[C5Steve]

Seems like a lot of effort just for the LEDS, I think i'll just get that burnt bulb replaced haha. I was looking for red/clear outer lenses but can only find a few and they're all extortionate... I think the acrylic amazon link thing is the last thing I need for all the black accents.

My offer is still open though. I have the sequential smoked corner lights and the smoked halos for a US spec + a hyperflash harness. Happy to let them go for free if anybody wants them, just come pick them up

Also a very small flexible ducktail, all things that the previous owner threw in so happy to let them go to someone who wants them!!

Yeah it's quite a bit of effort given what you're current set up is! Ironically, the Euro spec rears (clear/red) are really expensive because it's quite a popular mod in the US!

I'd be interested in having a look at the corners/rears you have, I've thought about changing my corners but it would involve sodding about with the lights a bit and wanted to see what the connectors look like. Where are you based?

 

[VantaR]

Yeah it's quite a bit of effort given what you're current set up is! Ironically, the Euro spec rears (clear/red) are really expensive because it's quite a popular mod in the US!

I'd be interested in having a look at the corners/rears you have, I've thought about changing my corners but it would involve sodding about with the lights a bit and wanted to see what the connectors look like. Where are you based?

Sorry for the delay here, being a bit manic!

Haha i've heard they prefer the visibility of the indicators among other things on the euro spec... I don't blame them.

Based in West London which puts me further our (or in?) than most! Here are some pictures of the lights. Previous owner bought them but they are the sequential smoked led corner lights (the only type you can find on the internet that have this feature I think?) Standard stuff. Hyperflash harness is there and of course the rear lights.

Steve, if you prefer lets connect on instagram or somewhere? I have loads of questions about my C5 and i'm flooding the forum

 

[C5Steve]

Sure, although don't feel bad! The whole point of a forum is to ask questions, plus yours are easy ones (at least for me!).

I've the same username on Instagram (C5_Steve) so feel free to add me over there if you like

 

[Eurovettes]

I have LED hyperflash stopping gizmos that plug in line under the dash keef@eurovettes.com

 

[VantaR]

I have LED hyperflash stopping gizmos that plug in line under the dash keef@eurovettes.com

I've got one already.. just commenting to say I love your email Keith . Might be reaching out to you soon for an ATI balancer.

 

[Eurovettes]

OK let me know i have different services available nowadays from here in san diego for parts deliveries
Delivery option 1
I send from my San Diego base to uk ups/royal mail this takes approc 14 days from my dispatch.
This option is with UK duty prepaid
Delivery option 2
I send from my San Diego base to uk DHL mail this takes approc 5 days from my dispatch.
This option is with UK duty prepaid
Delivery option 3
This is for mainly larger parts weight and size plus parts that are not time sensitive
Import duty and VAT are calculated within the quote
My air freight from New York - will be typically 4 days once dispatched to uk and the parts can be distributed from my UK home base.