Spoiler LED brake light

[mikeWalsall]

I have searched / read through a few posts regarding the LED brake light build into the spoiler and can see how to remove it ..

All mine illuminate but three have a very dim 'glow' .. but I cannot find info on if the unit can be stripped down to access individual 'LEDs'..

Can they be replaced ... or are there any 'after market' strips that fit .. or is it a Mazda spares only job ..??

[Northern Bongolow]

you can get into the unit if you remove it from the spoiler.
it snaps together(the base and the cover) i found that the bulbs were ok, and the track was damaged, so a quick soldering job with some small sized wire.
the same high level brake light is fitted to a maz 626, so try that aproach, i bought a full 626 spoiler with light for £40 on ebay.
there are 2 different high level brake lights fitted to bongo's, the early ones were 12v (only the centre third lights up). the later better ones were 14v and most of the light illuminates.

[mikeWalsall]

Right .. if it is a printed circuit then maybe the copper strips have corroded .. excluding the three that are getting (restricted) lecky and only 'glow' .. all the others are bright ... if so .. like you say an easy hard wire 'work around' job ..!!

Are they 'normal' filament bulbs ..or LEDs ..??

[Northern Bongolow]

led's

[mikeWalsall]

That's what I assumed .. the 'unit' is about 12"-14" long and I guess there may be a dozen or so 'bulbs' in there ..

Maybe have a look tomorrow .. no rush though as she is still on sorn ..

[Northern Bongolow]

that sounds like the 14 v later one, the 12 v has about 8 bulbs in if i recall correctly.

[mikeWalsall]

OOpppss I replied to a deleted post ..!!

[Doone]

I hit the wrong button and deleted my post, but you seem to have found an answer.

[mikeWalsall]

Thanks ..... I was just confirming that I had found the posts that you had suggested..!!

[mikeWalsall]

I took the spoiler off my V6 to get to the high level brake light as three LED's are not working ..

The unit is a Stanley R9325 .... 13.5v .. 4w.

Inside there are 20 'domed' LEDs on a PCB .... I cannot see that the transparent red lens is clipped onto the base .. it looks more as though it maybe glued together .. ??

But .. trying to separate the base from the lens with a sharp Stanley knife I am only succeeding in getting small chips of the transparent lens breaking off ...

Does that mean that the complete unit as to be replaced ..??

[Northern Bongolow]

keep trying just be gentle, i didnt have much bother, ease it all the way round then it just falls apart

[mikeWalsall]

Even warmed it up slightly but no way will the ABS housing part company with the PMMA lens .. the lens is brittle and several small half circles have already broken away from the edges

I don't want to seriously damage it for the sake of 3 duff LEDs out of the 20 fitted ..

I will keep my eye open for a replacement ... I quite like the clear lens of the 626 ... that should blend in with my silver spoiler ..

[williefixit]

I had a similar problem with a number of LEDs quite dim. The price tag of £249 from Mazda is scandalous, so I thought I would replace all the LEDs, if I could only open the plastic enclosure. I tried the Stanley knife method, and it looked like it would take ages, so tried the warming up in an oven tip. Unfortunately I gave if far too much heat and the whole enclosure warped and bubbled – I should have been more careful, but there you go.
I managed to get one from EBay for a Mazda 626. It’s not exactly the same but very close. The 626 unit is designed for a lower position, so the face of it is straighter and more upright than the Bongo one which is more curved. However after removing a bit of plastic and adding a spacing washer, it’s a very good fit and must be better than any generic one you may buy. All LEDs seem the same brightness and for £20, I’m very pleased.

[Northern Bongolow]

£200 and bloody how much