Hey guys,
Looking forward to being apart of this forum! After a lot of lurking on various forums including this one, I can't seem to fine a definitive answer for what is going on with my 996.

I installed aftermarket LED taillights to replace the outdated OEM ones. I also got na led 3rd brake light and license plate bulbs. All in my opinion look great but I'm running into one issue. No hyperflashing or trouble codes but the led 3rd brake light will dimly light up when the running lights are switched on. I did install a load equalizer/resistor to the two wires that run into the wiring harness for the 3rd brake light. It operates without issue otherwise.

Any input is appreciated.

 

Anyone?

 

How exactly we're the original lights "outdated"? I see nothing outdated about these, and they work perfectly. We're you having trouble before the change? If not, then why mess with a good thing?

 

i agree, the 997 tail lights look nice but 996 tail lights are far from outdated. unless you had the ones with amber.

 

[QUOTE=denversteve;3470289]How exactly we're the original lights "outdated"? I see nothing outdated about these, and they work perfectly. We're you having trouble before the change? If not, then why mess with a good thing? [QUOTE]

Well, if you don't think the amber tails on a 99 Carrera are outdated than you would be the first I have ever heard liking them! I agree the Euro/Clear tails are a much cleaner look and not outdated, it was just not in my budget to pay $800 for MY2000+ tail lights. These were a fraction of the cost and look way better than the pumpkin tops...



Also upon further investigation, when installed a resistor in the third led brake light, it appears my problem is fixed.

 

I like your updated tails. I'd love to hear more details of your fix.

 

It was pretty simple really, apparently there is a voltage float of 1.5v at the 3rd brake light which is enough to light up the led's since they require a lot less power than your standard incandescent bulbs. So wiring in a load equalizer/resistor between the only two wires that connect to the third brake is all that was required. The tails were plug and play in my 99 but others will probably experience issues with later model years. It is possible to make them all work if you have enough patience.