Never liked how the third brake light obstructs the rear vision.

Here's what I was thinking about replacing the third brake light with.... removing the panel from the LP frame, that is:

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.as...OD&ProdID=3055

here's another on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Scrol...spagenameZWD1V

Anyone remove the third brake light? Does the black border just frame scrape off the hatch glass with a razor blade?

 

I removed one from my 84. I used a razor blade and quickly stopped when I discovered some kind of plastic film which I had started to bugger. I don't know that I have aftermarket window tint or if there is a standard film on the inside of all rear windows. Yours may be different. I ended up using adhesive remover and carefully scraped with my fingernails. Took a while but came out OK.

 

Do your really want somebody following behind your 928 close enough to read some license plate humor?

 

I usually weave the traffic, but it's probably too much trouble to implement anyway.

 

Jim M is working on replacing the rear light with a unit that does not cut down rear visability.
The black stuff does not come off and we have tried everything we can think of.
Replacing the rear glass with one from a pre rear brake light solves that problem.
Jim will jump in here and give more details I am sure.

 

Yeah, one of my never ending projects. I have a third brake light from an older Audi. It's about 1" tall and 8-10" wide, uses a row of bulbs instead of just one. As Rog100 said we need to swap rear windows because the black coating on the glass where the factory light is appears to be etched or baked INTO the glass. I still need to verify that the bulb monitoring system will accept the new set up, then I'm ready to go.

Jim Mayzurk
93 GTS 5-spd

 

I would be worried about removing a DOT certified light in favor of a license mounted unit - it's too low to be "lega". Not a big deal until someome rearends you & the cop signs off as it being your fault since you tampered with DOT regulated lights.

 

Besides the folly of that license plate toy, believe it or not there was extensive testing in the 70s/80s re the micro second delay involved in triggering the 3rd brake light and the safety it adds. I can't remember if the third light is triggered an instant sooner or delayed, but technical papers were written, the findings and conclusion being that the staggered illumination results in a quicker perception or higher level of danger in the brain. It is in microseconds. You might google Kieth (yes, Kieth) Patchett. I think you will find the stock third light is pretty uniform in size and position for a reason.

 

Jim, I have an 80 model, but I do have the factory third brake light installed, if I dont tear my tint up removing it I could be a guinea pig.

 

On the scrolling license plate text... The great and socialist republic of California specifically bans the moving or blinking message stuff in the car.

AFA the size and shape of the third brakelight, there seem to be a lot of liberties taken with the original definition. For instance, we see rows of LED's at th top lip of the trunk lid, we see the same mounted in very short lip 'spoliers', etc. They are usually too low to be seen by the third car, something the original lamp was intended to offer. Of course, the lights were first conceived over 30 years ago now, before the age of monster SUV's and pickups as regular transportation. Can't see squat through them anyway, at least from 928 height.

If the attention-grabbing feature of the pulsing cyberlight was limited to non-law enforcement personnel, I'd have one of those mounted back there in a flash.

 

Agree - its too low @ the license frame to be a replacement.. yes the black is still there without the glued on housing and looks very crappy. If you did have clean glass an LED strip across the top migtht be less obtrusive to rear view - equally visible as stock and have the advantages of instant LED response (attention getting difference in on/off behaviour). You can also get pulser modules that do an initial 2-3 quick flashes every time the brake is pressed (& some have a timeout before it recurrs - less annoying to those behind you in traffic)

As to scrolling messages - would't it be nice...

"Your Tire is flat"
"Turn your lights on"
"Your high beams are blinding me"
OR
"You are an A$$H@!*"

Alan

 

I just read something about 'flashing brake light's. I'm pretty sure they're illegal in the States right now. The article was about a new Mercedes that has flashing lights (all three) and the company had to get some kind of waiver to try them in the US.

Apparently there are laws in place about flashing lights and how they're only allowed on certain vehicles when used in an emergency capacity.

How about scrolling:
'If you can read this, you owe me some toll money.'

 

I'm sure they are illegal in California it seems most things are...

The effect is actually quite subtle - more so than it sounds anyway.

They seem most commonly used on motorcycles - where they seem to be effective at drawing more attention.

Alan