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I think they can - there's just another step involved. I'm hoping one in my current assortment will work - I spend a lot of time in the mountains in the wintertime and would really appreciate more light back there.
I'm all ears when you find a good solution; I need more light back there too!
Skiracer13.....if you find a way to replace the reverse lights on vehicles that don't have the removable cover, please share with the community.
Just doesn't make any sense that those bulbs wouldn't somehow be replaceable.
I couldn't see an obvious way to do it..…..hope you can figure it out.
The video link provided by DogWood did the trick - just needed to remove 2 more Torx bolts to access the bulb holder. Unfortunately I don't have the right size bulb in my LED inventory so I ordered a pair of these (kind of pricey - but I went w/ the highest output which are also the shorter so they should fit better):
Looked at the carcarkiosk video that Dogwood posted.
In part 2 of the video, about 34 seconds into it, the reverse light cover is removed by unscrewing one torx screw (which then exposes the bulb holder that is held on by 2 other torx screws).
Unfortunately, for some reason, my reverse light cover has no screw to remove the reverse light cover.
It seems like the cover and housing assembly are molded together in one piece (see pic I posted.
Any help with my dilemma to access the reverse light would still be appreciated.
Looked at the carcarkiosk video that Dogwood posted.
In part 2 of the video, about 34 seconds into it, the reverse light cover is removed by unscrewing one torx screw (which then exposes the bulb holder that is held on by 2 other torx screws).
Unfortunately, for some reason, my reverse light cover has no screw to remove the reverse light cover.
It seems like the cover and housing assembly are molded together in one piece (see pic I posted.
Any help with my dilemma to access the reverse light would still be appreciated.
I know this is going to sound dumb, so I apologize, but as I don't have your taillight in front of me, have you tried pulling on that "non-removable" cover (could pull on that post sticking up)? It could be a pressure fit cover that doesn't require a screw to secure it.
I have a 2013 GTS and I've wanted to replace my reverse lights as well, so I'll need to check the housing tonight.
Well I finally had the chance to really dig into this issue w/ some help from a mechanic/friend but ended up hitting a wall. It turns out the bulb is soldered to the mounts of Porsche's proprietary reverse bulb socket - after prying the soldered connections loose and finally removing the bulb I determined the following:
1. The 1156 replacement bulb that all sites point to is too large to fit in the socket.
2. The proprietary socket that Porsche put into the Panny will not hold an 1156 bulb even if I could somehow establish an electrical connection - it would just fall out or vibrate loose over time.
So I re-installed the factory bulb and dealing w/ the reality that this situation can't be improved upon. What is required is an 1156-compatible socket that will replace Porsche's proprietary device and plug into the existing connectors.
Pulled mine apart for a better look, bulb is a PHIL16W, did a quick search, seems the base is actually part of the bulb - more of an assembly than just a bulb.
Pulled mine apart for a better look, bulb is a PHIL16W, did a quick search, seems the base is actually part of the bulb - more of an assembly than just a bulb.
I just ordered the Amazon pair - due to arrive on Wednesday. I'll try installing them and report back - this would be a much cleaner solution than trying to retrofit an 1156-type socket.
The Amazon set I ordered arrived today and I successfully installed them per the procedure and photo's below. I'm not seeing the lighting improvement I was hoping for, but will try again when it gets dark. The 2nd side took me less than 5 mins w/ no pics to take along the way! Pic w/ OEM reverse lights on Tools needed: T25 torx, T15 torx and a pry tool Pry off cover panel Remove single fastener w/ T25 torx Pull entire light ***'y rearward to remove No need to disconnect connector - simply lay the ***'y on its side on the shelf Remove reverse light bulb cover w/ T15 torx Remove 2 fixture fasteners w/ T15 torx Pull out bulb fixture and remove 2 end connectors - simply pull off firmly New LED fixture looks like it should fit Install new LED bulb fixture using same polarity as OEM fixture I applied double-sided tape to secure the resistor pack to the inside of the cavity, plenty of space. Reverse entire procedure to put back together then do the other side. New LED reverse lights successfully installed, no errors present. These are 30W bulbs and I wish they were 100W!
Last edited by skiracer13; Jan 22, 2019 at 06:02 PM.
Reason: spelling
Nice, glad to hear that they fit OK, is then first picture a "before"? Last picture looks whiter and brighter.
I hear you on the the 30W, there are some sketcher ones claiming up to 80W! foot print is a bit odd and reviews where mixed.
