Euro Taillamps installed

[XfireZ51]

Yes, I was finally able to finish and successfully install a set of Euro lamps. Found a set laying around on a 92 convertible w flat tires. I was able to do the install w cutting ONLY two wires and setting up an easy conversion back to stock if desired.
I'll include a few pics next. Thanks to =Jeff= and to WVZR-1 for their posts on similar threads. Everything works as it should.

[Kevin]

love the euro tails but have never put them on my car. seems like a lot of work but they do look awesome

[Scrrem]

I love mine, Mark H. helped me getting them wired up when he was up in WAZOO land. Love the look.
Rich

[XfireZ51]

BTW, did anyone realize they now make LED bulbs that replace our brake/taillamps? Anyone use them? Not cheap at AZ. $20/pair. I'll post some pics soon.

[GOLDCYLON]

BTW, did anyone realize they now make LED bulbs that replace our brake/taillamps? Anyone use them? Not cheap at AZ. $20/pair. I'll post some pics soon.

Actually Dom $20 a pair is pretty cheap :-D for any kind of quality. Some of the new blubs are non error and have a resister built in

Awaiting the post up

[Fully Vetted]

Another mod I've always wanted to do...

[BigJohn]

I don't know, kind of glad I don't live in Europe.

[XfireZ51]

I think these lamps work best w color in the red family, JMHO.
Here's the finished product. Everything works as it should. Red for brakes and running lights, Amber for signal and 4way.
One issue I overcame was that 2 of the lights were missing dividers between top and bottom so I made some from sheet aluminum. Works great.
BTW, these are genuine GM parts, not replicas from Mid America, not that it really matters to me much.
I was able to disconnect the white wire from the brake switch without cutting it. I removed it from the harness connector at the switch. The brake applied signal comes from just behind the halo pillar light and routed a line to the back.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x198/Z51Xfire/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsnjjqof4g.jpeg (http://s187.photobucket.com/user/Z51Xfire/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsnjjqof4g.jpeg.html)

[GOLDCYLON]

I think these lamps work best w color in the red family, JMHO.
Here's the finished product. Everything works as it should. Red for brakes and running lights, Amber for signal and 4way.
One issue I overcame was that 2 of the lights were missing dividers between top and bottom so I made some from sheet aluminum. Works great.
BTW, these are genuine GM parts, not replicas from Mid America, not that it really matters to me much.
I was able to disconnect the white wire from the brake switch without cutting it. I removed it from the harness connector at the switch. The brake applied signal comes from just behind the halo pillar light and routed a line to the back.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x198/Z51Xfire/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsnjjqof4g.jpeg (http://s187.photobucket.com/user/Z51Xfire/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsnjjqof4g.jpeg.html)

So are you going with the LED bulbs?

[XfireZ51]

So are you going with the LED bulbs?

I am not right now, which is why I asked if anyone has used them. W Euros, that's $80 for 8 lamps. I went on Amazon and fl a bay to see if I could find the same ones I saw at AZ.

[nelson007]

I bought euro lights. Orange when I was in britain two yeas a got and picked up twu sets for$20 a lensn
Nelson

[XfireZ51]

I bought euro lights. Orange when I was in britain two yeas a got and picked up twu sets for$20 a lensn
Nelson

Nelson,

Did u buy just the lenses or the entire lamp?

[GOLDCYLON]

I am not right now, which is why I asked if anyone has used them. W Euros, that's $80 for 8 lamps. I went on Amazon and fl a bay to see if I could find the same ones I saw at AZ.

Yeah it adds up what ever you buy make sure it's diffused with multiple SMDs so the pattern goes beyond a single point of light. I remember earlier examples that looked like a nipple for those that used the 89 and earlier lights. Also I suggest you by red and yellow LEDs match the colors

[BigJohn]

:cheers:

[XfireZ51]

Yeah it adds up what ever you buy make sure it's diffused with multiple SMDs so the pattern goes beyond a single point of light. I remember earlier examples that looked like a nipple for those that used the 89 and earlier lights. Also I suggest you by red and yellow LEDs match the colors

Darrell,

I suppose that's so the lamps don't "bleach" out the lens.

[nelson007]

Xfire,
I bought the complete lamp, but he only had two. Wheni I got back to the states I bought two from one of the suppliers. I was also able to buy a complete set for my C6 while I was in Germany, including the marker lights that are not on EU cars.
Nelson


Nelson,

Did u buy just the lenses or the entire lamp?

[GOLDCYLON]

Darrell,

I suppose that's so the lamps don't "bleach" out the lens.

Exactly correct

[Paul Workman]

I think these lamps work best w color in the red family, JMHO.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x198/Z51Xfire/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsnjjqof4g.jpeg (http://s187.photobucket.com/user/Z51Xfire/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsnjjqof4g.jpeg.html)

Yup! Looks nice, especially on a purple-ish color car.

The tail lights, the interior (WOW!), the big brakes, the wheels, the 2-tone motor.... all very tasteful SO FAR. But! You might wanna stop before THIS happens! LOL!:o

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/misc/Jeepnee_zpsdd0513a1.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/misc/Jeepnee_zpsdd0513a1.jpg.html)

[XfireZ51]

Yup! Looks nice, especially on a purple-ish color car.

The tail lights, the interior (WOW!), the big brakes, the wheels, the 2-tone motor.... all very tasteful SO FAR. But! You might wanna stop before THIS happens! LOL!:o

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/misc/Jeepnee_zpsdd0513a1.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/misc/Jeepnee_zpsdd0513a1.jpg.html)

Dammit Paul, you gave it away. That was going to be my next thread.

[Jagdpanzer]

Paul,
I see your fond memories of your times in Olongapo still run strong.

[aafc]

Here is a photo of my Euro taillights with factory GM back up lights. After I
ordered the Euro taillight kit from Ecklers corvette, I found a dealer who
sends parts to Germany. They were ordered sometime 1997-1999 after i
got the Euro taillight kit. I do not have the part #'s as they were ordered
so long ago.
John



http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=348&pictureid=3093

[XfireZ51]

Here is a photo of my Euro taillights with factory GM back up lights. After I
ordered the Euro taillight kit from Ecklers corvette, I found a dealer who
sends parts to Germany. They were ordered sometime 1997-1999 after i
got the Euro taillight kit. I do not have the part #'s as they were ordered
so long ago.
John



http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=348&pictureid=3093

John,

I like that look on a white car.

[Z51JEFF]

Looks good Dom,love mine too. Anybody else want to do this the light blue wire is the wire to use. This wire is in the main harness at the back of the car at the harness plug. When I did mine I got the OEM connectors and just plugged the Euro harness into the main plug. These lights also take a specific light socket and the AC DELCO number for these are LS39 and LS96,I think. It's been a few years since I've done this so I might be a little foggy on some of this.

[nelson007]

Jeff is the only wiring change in the rear tail lamps? I bought a second wiring harness. I have not hooked up mine.
Thanks,
Nelson

[Z51JEFF]

Jeff is the only wiring change in the rear tail lamps? I bought a second wiring harness. I have not hooked up mine.
Thanks,
Nelson

You can buy the harness or build one as I did. Some of the Corvette catalogs had the harness. It's been awhile since I did this so its a little fuzzy. I tried to post a picture but PHOTO BUCKET SUCKS! I disconnected the white wire at the brakelight switch under the dash,covered in shrink wrap secured,picked up the light blue wire at the bulkhead at the rear of the car. I didn't want to cut any wires in the brakelight harness but this is easily replaceable so no big deal. I've got pictures of all of this on PHOTO BUCKET. I fished the EURO wire harness wire through the rubber grommet into the car,crimped an OEM connector on it and inserted it into the main plug. The main body harness has the light blue wire already there,just inserted my EURO wire harness connector in to blank cavity opposite the light blue wire and I've got a setup that looks like it left the factory that way.

[Z51JEFF]

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/FLYTYM/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps3g0fulek.jpeg

[Z51JEFF]

Didn't mean to hijack your thread Dom,I'll shut up now.

[XfireZ51]

Didn't mean to hijack your thread Dom,I'll shut now.

Please no. I am sure everyone appreciates the contribution. I took the Brake Applied signal from the CHMSL line and connector. You can find it right behind the pillar courtesy lamp on the passenger side. Used a "scotch lock" to tap that line. Then ran a line along perimeter of hatch opening and drilled a small hole to snake that line through to rear. used silicone to seal it.
Split that line into 2 and connected to each side of brake lamps.
As u did, I was able to remove the white wire from the brake switch assembly without cutting it. I put some heat shrink over it. Anyone want to return to stock, it will be a very easy process to reconnect the lines.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Good job, Dom. Looks great!

[XfireZ51]

Good job, Dom. Looks great!

Thanks Brett.

Here's a thought starter. If GM did, in fact, mean to have the ZR-1 be the answer to European supercars(they went through the trouble of introducing it in Europe)
Maybe the Euro lamps should have been standard issue, further distinguishing the ZR from the mere mortal C4.

[nelson007]

Thanks Dom



QUOTE=XfireZ51;245505]Please no. I am sure everyone appreciates the contribution. I took the Brake Applied signal from the CHMSL line and connector. You can find it right behind the pillar courtesy lamp on the passenger side. Used a "scotch lock" to tap that line. Then ran a line along perimeter of hatch opening and drilled a small hole to snake that line through to rear. used silicone to seal it.
Split that line into 2 and connected to each side of brake lamps.
As u did, I was able to remove the white wire from the brake switch assembly without cutting it. I put some heat shrink over it. Anyone want to return to stock, it will be a very easy process to reconnect the lines.[/QUOTE]

[WVZR-1]

Thanks Brett.

Here's a thought starter. If GM did, in fact, mean to have the ZR-1 be the answer to European supercars(they went through the trouble of introducing it in Europe)
Maybe the Euro lamps should have been standard issue, further distinguishing the ZR from the mere mortal C4.

I don't believe that at "introduction" or throughout the C4 production run "AMBER directionals were DOT approved, but it maybe wasn't even regulated. I think that maybe at some point in the mid-2000/2010 NHTSA mentioned that they felt AMBER maybe reduced collisions so they were introduced maybe first on "world distributed" product.I don't know when/if they were approved but I believe that it's still a "choice" of the manufacturer which to use. AMBER I believe is seen more in regular production just because it mandated in most of the world and an accepted option here in the US.

I believe I've seen (in the 80's/90's) earlier European production when presented for VA safety inspection "failed" until RED was substituted.

The secret is in here I'm sure!!

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se49.6.571_1108

[Z51JEFF]

Here's something else to think about. The only negative about running the Euro taillights is when the brake switch fails for the CHMSL you have no brakelights. It's already happens to mine and we all know how often the CHMSL fails because of a bad switch.

[Vette Guy]

I've got them on both ZR-1s, and love them. I do have a schematic somewhere if someone needs it. Note that there are 2 different versions of the light - some simply have "Guide" written on the lens, and another version has "GM"
and some additional raised markings. Rich had the only set of "GM"s I've ever seen.

"GM"
http://www.corvettemods.com/assets/images/cp-14399-1.jpg

"Guide"
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll228/admrlc4/IMG_1214.jpg


Regards,
Mark

[Mystic ZR-1]

Anybody have a set for sale?

[BigJohn]

Anybody have a set for sale?

Mid America motorsports part number 614134

[Mystic ZR-1]

Mid America motorsports part number 614134

Nope!

[nelson007]

Mark I could use a copy of the schematic for the lights.
Thanks,
Nelson


I've got them on both ZR-1s, and love them. I do have a schematic somewhere if someone needs it. Note that there are 2 different versions of the light - some simply have "Guide" written on the lens, and another version has "GM"
and some additional raised markings. Rich had the only set of "GM"s I've ever seen.

"GM"
http://www.corvettemods.com/assets/images/cp-14399-1.jpg

"Guide"
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll228/admrlc4/IMG_1214.jpg


Regards,
Mark

[nelson007]

Doug I might have a set of the soild orange.
Nelson

[XfireZ51]

Mid America motorsports part number 614134

Last I looked MAMO said they were out of stock.


Mark,

I'll check tomorrow, but pretty sure mine say GUIDE.

[Vette Guy]

It's been quite a few years since I did mine, Rich's or another guys, but I recall it not being too bad a job.

By cutting the white wire under the dash (and I did not cut mine, rather disconnected the white wire from the brake switch, in tact) you've removed the brake lights from receiving power from the brake switch. The third brake light also runs through this switch, but is on a separate circuit. The difference between the two circuits is that the 4 brake lights continue through a circuit that is interrupted by your turn signal blinker, whereas the third brake light receives constant 12v power when you depress the brake. The + side brake lights now needs to tap into the + side of the third brake light.

Your existing harness now powers only the turn signals. You'll need to cut the parking light power to these bulbs, and connect it to the low output of the second harness.

You will need to run a wire from the + side of the brake lights in your second harness through the grommet around the existing harness, back into the rear compartment of the Z, and make the connection to the third brake light at the ABS pump, located behind the drivers seat.

You have my number in case you have any questions!

Also, it appears Ecklers has them in stock: http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/1994+chevy+corvette+zr1/corvette-european-taillight-1991-1996-and-zr1.html


Regards,
Mark