$6 brighter W126 brake lights - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cirrusman · #31 06-03-2011, 07:52 PM

I put on the 3497s and it does look brighter. Not day and night difference, but did look brighter. I'm installing a 3rd stoplight too to add to it.

tbomachines · #32 06-04-2011, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

Iam glad this thread came back up. I was wondering where I got the info on the 3497 bulbs and what year ricers the bulbs came in. It`s in post #16.

I was going through the rows of Prelude and Accord wagons 92 - 96 & 94 - 97 and Accord front 90 - 93. I checked every Jap car I came across, interesting how some of the covers come off the different cars. the Germans make it so simple.

The only cars I found any (5 total bulbs) was in the 91 Accra Legend. I mainly found the 1156 bulbs. maybe they were replaced with these. I must have looked through 20 or so cars to find the 5.

The info stamped on the bulb is:

3497 stanley
u. 12v45cp(27w)

I found these in one yard, I forgot to look in the other 3 yards I was in.

{Note to self "Replace the bulbs today"}

Charlie

You should be able to go to any parts place and ask for 3497 bulbs and they should hand it right to you. If they have to look it up you need to get a new parts place. Most times this is part of the stock number.

MBeige · #33 06-14-2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

I could not find these type of bulbs, but I found 1156 bulbs that are 26.9W (12.8V). Bought three pairs for ~$6

Put them on the car and noticed slightly brighter light (the old ones were 21W but not that old, just starting to blacken on one side of the bulb glass).

I realized we use the brakes a lot and since I have the brake light mod (+1 extra brake light per side) there is enough light to warn the driver behind me without me risking melting the tail lamp housing & lens.

So I switched the higher wattage bulbs to the reverse and turn signal light instead. Got new correct 21W (made in Germany) bulbs for the brake lights insead, type 7506.

deniss · #34 08-03-2011, 11:39 AM

I installed the 3497 on my 300SD today, and the difference is pretty obvious even in the sunlight, so I'm keeping those. I've been concerned with how dim the brake lights are since the beginning, so I really appreciate the information in this thread.

I also wanted to wire up the rear fog lights as the additional brake lights, as a few people here have done, but I am missing bulb seats for the fog lights. They appear to be the same seats as those used in brake lights...

What's the part number, so I could get 2 of those?

pwogaman · #35 08-03-2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cirrusman

Just bookmarking...

ditto

MBeige · #36 08-03-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deniss

I installed the 3497 on my 300SD today, and the difference is pretty obvious even in the sunlight, so I'm keeping those. I've been concerned with how dim the brake lights are since the beginning, so I really appreciate the information in this thread.

I also wanted to wire up the rear fog lights as the additional brake lights, as a few people here have done, but I am missing bulb seats for the fog lights. They appear to be the same seats as those used in brake lights...

What's the part number, so I could get 2 of those?

On top of adding these brighter bulbs, it's a good idea to also clean up the tail light lenses. From the outside, plastic cleaners work well. Paint cleaner also removes any contamination on the surface (diesel exhaust soot, etc).

Separate the lenses from the housing once the assembly is out and clean it thoroughly.

The bulb holders can be had at the junk yard or bought through eBay, some members put together these kits. Search for user "gerose" on eBay.

compu_85 · #37 12-15-2011, 11:05 PM

I just checked my fixtures for signs of melting and didn't find much. The plastic directly above the brake light bulb may have been a bit warped, but I also didn't check it before I installed the brighter lamps. There was no melting on the lens.

I spend a lot of time with my foot on the brake now (probably 45 minutes continuously coming out of DC some days) so I'm comfortable declaring this a safe modification

-J

MS Fowler · #38 12-16-2011, 08:37 AM

What are "rear fog lights"?

compu_85 · #39 12-16-2011, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

What are "rear fog lights"?

Basically a brake light you can turn on in bad weather to make your car more visible.

jimandsuzy · #40 12-16-2011, 10:05 AM

Euro 126s came with the rear fogs and are activated by pulling the light switch out to a second detent which, as stated above, turns on a seperate brake intensity light for more visibility in fog to drivers behind you. The regular brake lights still work normally. US cars do not have this function and there is not a bulb installed and the socket is not wired.

MS Fowler · #41 12-16-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimandsuzy

Euro 126s came with the rear fogs and are activated by pulling the light switch out to a second detent which, as stated above, turns on a seperate brake intensity light for more visibility in fog to drivers behind you. The regular brake lights still work normally. US cars do not have this function and there is not a bulb installed and the socket is not wired.

Thank You.

charmalu · #42 12-19-2011, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

Basically a brake light you can turn on in bad weather to make your car more visible.

Well it might be cool to have these fog lights, but following behind someone with one of these on, is blinding.

I have seen these one 3 different cars, a Volve, a BMW and a MB. each time they were on it was a clear night w/o Fog. maybe they just be cool.

Charlie

charmalu · #43 12-19-2011, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

You should be able to go to any parts place and ask for 3497 bulbs and they should hand it right to you. If they have to look it up you need to get a new parts place. Most times this is part of the stock number.

Yeah, I know I could, but Iam cheap.

Charlie

tbomachines · #44 12-20-2011, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

Yeah, I know I could, but Iam cheap.

Charlie

Lol fair enough, most of us are

tbomachines · #45 12-20-2011, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

Well it might be cool to have these fog lights, but following behind someone with one of these on, is blinding.

I have seen these one 3 different cars, a Volve, a BMW and a MB. each time they were on it was a clear night w/o Fog. maybe they just be cool.

Charlie

Totally agree, I find them annoying mroe than anything on European cars. I would recommend using the euro fog slot as an additional brake light. This way, the visibility is more useful, even if it is quite bright it is more of a warning than a constant annoyance. Not a good picture, but this is exactly what I did (along with LED full-lens tail)

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