Caution: Don't drive without tail lights. | FerrariChat

Caution: Don't drive without tail lights.

Discussion in '360/430' started by Mozella, Jul 24, 2014.

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  1. Mozella

    Mozella Formula Junior

    Mar 24, 2013
    905
    Piemonte, Italia
    About 6 months ago (following a tip on this forum) I installed a set of ultra bright parking light bulbs in my 360 Modena; the smallest of the several bulbs inside the headlight cluster. They were fine .................. for a while. I'm not sure how long they burned because I usually drive either with my lights on or off and I don't use my parking lights when I park. Plus I don't do a lot of night driving. They may have been inoperative for one day, or 6 months; I really don't know.

    Yesterday I noticed neither of them were working and in the process of troubleshooting I discovered two 5 amp fuses located in the boot (on the drivers side) had burned out. No problem, I just replaced the ultra bright bulbs with smaller ones, replaced the fuses, and now I'm good to go.

    But what is vitally important is my discovery that these two fuses also control the tail lights, or at least they do on my Euro Ferrari. That means I've been driving around for some undetermined length of time without tail lights. My year model 2000 car doesn't have a canbus light bulb warning system.

    There's a lesson to be learned here. Check your lights from time to time, especially if you're using non standard bulbs. You might be inadvertently illuminating the rear of your car with the license plate lights only.
     
  2. Chiaroman

    Chiaroman Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 21, 2004
    1,679
    New Jersey
    Thank you for the heads up!!!

    When pulling into the garage I often check the front lights against the wall but cannot check the rear ones.

    Will do ASAP!!!!
     
  3. SCEye

    SCEye F1 Rookie

    Aug 28, 2009
    2,950
    Norcal - Peninsula
    you can check the by observing the light cast on the closed garage door. the view through your mirror is enough to tell that both sides are on. Hit the brake pedal and the lights should increase in brightness.
     
  4. KeithNirro

    KeithNirro Rookie

    Mar 29, 2018
    16
    Full Name:
    Keith Nirro
    I have a 99, 360 Modena and my passenger side taillight keeps burning out I replaced the fuse 5 amp in car 2 times and light came on and now it doesn’t work
    ferrai 360 parking light relay
    and the fuse is not blown it’s good what should I check next? And now I have no left or right side tail lights working but fuses are good???
     
  5. mkzhang

    mkzhang Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 5, 2009
    544
    Philadelphia
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Thankfully in the F1 cars, they won't even go into gear without working tail lights lol


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  6. whatheheck

    whatheheck F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 27, 2006
    4,148
    Seattle, Wa
    Full Name:
    Dan L.
    Remove both of your tail lights and inspect the bulb contacts. Most likely they are dirty and barely making contact thus creating a hot spot, bulb works intermittently which in turn blows the fuse.

    Here's my recommendation:

    Our cars deserve better.

    I recommend upgrading your tail lights to LED tail lights set from Scud Ing Swiss. I have a post here somewhere about this LED tail light upgrade. Kindly do a search.

    Scud Ing Swiss LED tail light kit is completely plug and play, extremely well made, much brighter, zero issues.

    Dan
     
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  7. delaney

    delaney Formula Junior

    Nov 8, 2003
    716
    Montgomery TX
    Full Name:
    PETER DELANEY
    Is it the tail light physically lighting up or the simple depression of the switch that turns the brake lights on that govern car starting? I think the car would start even if all the back lights were out...same on pure automatics... I think.
     
  8. mkzhang

    mkzhang Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 5, 2009
    544
    Philadelphia
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Well the car will start but won't go into gear as it will show a transmission failure warning.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  9. KeithNirro

    KeithNirro Rookie

    Mar 29, 2018
    16
    Full Name:
    Keith Nirro
    I upgraded my taillights to Swiss Scuding and I really love the results and they advised me about my side light parking light issue so I corrected it and everything is great now! Thanks Dan
     
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  10. KeithNirro

    KeithNirro Rookie

    Mar 29, 2018
    16
    Full Name:
    Keith Nirro
    I have a 360 Modena and my rear parking light, rear side maker, and front side maker light, kept going out. I couldn't find why my fuse kept blowing until I discovered that the side marker parking lights get old, and the two wires started touching, and it kept blowing my fuse. I had to change all my side maker lights because all of them eventually will wear out, and the rubber around them will eventually corrod. The dealer said this issue only happens on U.S models because European models don't have the bumper side makers. Check photos below ⬇️


    Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  11. whatheheck

    whatheheck F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 27, 2006
    4,148
    Seattle, Wa
    Full Name:
    Dan L.
    You are most welcome Keith!
    Glad I was able to help.

    And thanks for making the time to post and show appreciation.

    All the best to you.

    Dan

    Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
     
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  12. whatheheck

    whatheheck F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 27, 2006
    4,148
    Seattle, Wa
    Full Name:
    Dan L.
    Wow, that is just pure poor workmanship.......

    Thanks for sharing info and photo.

    I have replaced my side markers with the kit with clear lens from Stef. Much better made. Then I upgraded the bulbs to LED's.

    My side markers looks much better, works much better and much brighter now.

    Dan

    Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
     

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