Rear License Plate Light

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Eveready

I'm Awesome
Joined
Nov 29, 2017
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
1,634
Location
North Carolina
That's an old school trick, hadn't heard about that one in a while, but I remember Dad talking about it. Looking through the Delco light bulb catalog to find specs on certain bulbs and sealed beams for customers who wanted to do this. Back in the day, this was the hot setup for country driving at night.
I can tell you it worked like a charm. I just walked into an aircraft supply place near the airport and told them what i wanted by the part number. No problem. Installed just like a headlight. I very rarely turned them on but I remember one time that an A**h*** came up behind me with extra bright lights on. I think he was running outboard driving lights. After he came by me I let him have it. I remember him raising both hands in abject surrender and I do think he learned the lesson we all learn if we live long enough: If you act up enough you WILL eventually encounter someone badder than you.
 

Erik the Awful

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2019
Messages
7,595
Reaction score
15,492
Location
Choctaw, OK
For years I've been wondering how to fit a Q4559X on a car and how to wire it up for 24v. The 4537 sounds much more workable.

That said, I'm no longer a fan of trying to punish people for using their brights or swapping to LEDs and lasering my brain. The world needs less angry people.
 

Nad_Yvalhosert

I'm Awesome
Joined
Oct 11, 2016
Messages
1,666
Reaction score
2,085
Location
Rochester, NY
Just FYI for anyone looking, I tried these in my corner markers and they didn't work at all. No idea why, they were fine in the license plate lights.

LED's are polarity sensitive. They only work in one direction.
The power to the 194's is on the brown wire (parking light) with lights on, and blue with turn signals. That's why they flash with the turn signals during the day, and opposite of the turn signals at night.
A ton of GM vehicles were wired that way. Camaro/Firebird, Caprice, Regal, etc.
 

df2x4

4L60E Destroyer
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Mar 1, 2012
Messages
11,149
Reaction score
12,671
Location
Missouri
LED's are polarity sensitive. They only work in one direction.

I'm aware, I tried flipping them in the sockets, even tried them in both trucks. For whatever reason they wouldn't do anything in the corner marker sockets. Like I said, I switched to another style of LED and those worked fine in the corner markers.
 

Raspi454

I'm Awesome
Joined
May 27, 2019
Messages
231
Reaction score
236
Location
Michigan
On my 95 one of license lens was broken the other fogged after 20 plus years. Oredered two new housings and a bunch of led 194 bulbs. 20 minutes later what a difference.
How did you get them on? I ordered some new ones for mine but they don't stay in, they're exactly like the busted ones I took off but I thought they just pop in
 

GoToGuy

I'm Awesome
Joined
Sep 16, 2020
Messages
2,934
Reaction score
3,409
Location
CAL
The square housing goes into the hole and you slide the " U " shape spring into the slots to retain it. Of course i can't find the ones i removed. So i went out got some photos to show. I have the chrone step bumper. It's 9 pm and no flash but they are bright. The other is looking under the back of bumper. See the u shape spring retainer i slid in from top.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
 

Raspi454

I'm Awesome
Joined
May 27, 2019
Messages
231
Reaction score
236
Location
Michigan
The square housing goes into the hole and you slide the " U " shape spring into the slots to retain it. Of course i can't find the ones i removed. So i went out got some photos to show. I have the chrone step bumper. It's 9 pm and no flash but they are bright. The other is looking under the back of bumper. See the u shape spring retainer i slid in from top.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
I do not have mine, where can I get them?
 

HotWheelsBurban

Gotta have 4 doors..... Rawhide, TOTY 2023!
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Messages
9,685
Reaction score
17,563
Location
Houston, Texas
That looks like the clips that hold the breather element in the old GM air cleaners. Sold a ton of those back in the day....
 

GoToGuy

I'm Awesome
Joined
Sep 16, 2020
Messages
2,934
Reaction score
3,409
Location
CAL
They are standard type of spring clip, where you need to fix a hardware piece in place but not as secure as threaded fastener. ie. PCV Hose fitting, bake line union, bulb housing. When i got mine from Amazon it came new housing, clip, and an LED bulb. Hercoo # FBAMP5614 . That was what i chose as it was a complete kit. I'll look again for the clip number most often called " brake libe retaining clips".
 
Top