bad-gs400

I just noticed today that when my 1999 GS400 is in drive and I brake, my reverse lights come on. When I put the car in reverse, the reverse lights don't come on at all. Does anyone know how to fix this? Thanks.

Mike813

iTrader: (5)

did you put the bulb in the wrong socket?? any bulb changes recently?? service done to the car??

press the emergency brake, and put the car into reverse, ask someone to look at the back and see if any other area is lighting up. if another part of the tails are on that means the sockets were mixed up into the wrong sockets, i see alot of vehicles on the road like that here in NY.

bad-gs400

Mike813 - I just took a look and the reverse lights are actually working fine. Its the inner rounded brake lights that are the issue. They look off white and not a deep red. When I'm at a stop light, a few people have mentioned it to me since they think I'm in reverse and going to back up into them

I had rear end damage a few years ago and I'm thinking the repair shop put in the wrong light covers. Here are a few pics of the lights. What do you think? Thanks.

chrispy

iTrader: (21)

Those aren't reverse lights, those are brake lights but they have faded over the years. They're supposed to be red.

You can either buy new ones or paint those transparent red. Maybe put some vinyl over them.

bad-gs400

Thanks for the info. Is the installation of these pretty straight forward? If I buy new, is the best place just my local lex dealer or other source (Ebay, etc.)?

Mike813

iTrader: (5)

alot of people on here sell the inners for pretty cheap... but cheapest & easiest way is to spray it with the transparent paint like chrispy mentioned. they are known to fade over time, take a look at other 98-00 gs's on the road youll notice alot of them have the same prob.

maybe its time to get some jp covers and delete the inners!

AYEmike

how about you just get black spray paint and spray it over, no need to worry about the red/pink ishhh

bad-gs400

I found a set online. Are they difficult to replace?

Mike813

iTrader: (5)

very easy, once you remove the clips/lining in the trunk area youll see the bolts that needs to be removed & thats it... prob take you nomore than 45-1hr

bad-gs400

I think I'm going to try painting them first and see how it turns out. I found some info online about the process. Let me know if this sounds accurate:

Items Needed:

1. Testors "Transparent Candy Apple Red" (number 1605)
2. High Gloss Clear Coat
3. 1" wide masking tape

Directions:

1. Remove the tail light assembly
2. Mask off the area
3. Clean the lens
4. Apply 5-6 coats of Transparent Red waiting 15 minutes between coats.
5. Let dry overnight
6. Apply 3-5 coats of high gloss clear coat waiting 15 minutes between coats.
7. Install tail light assembly