Why doesn't the inside LED light illuminate on the tail light assembly? I'm referring to the inside lights that are housed in the section that raises when the hatch is opened.
Danal
electricmotorglider.com
I can't tell you why Tesla decided to do this; I can tell you the liftgate lights have very limited wiring. The liftgate assemblies get "Tail", "Reverse", and "Ground", and nothing else. At least on 2015 VIN cars.
We've been looking at all the wiring in the back, finding the right places to 'tap' for the Lighted Rear Applique. The vid shows a "Knight Rider" scroll effect... when driving, the applique does much more conventional things, like tail/stop/sequenced turns, things like that. We had to pick up "stop" from the CHMSL (Center High Mount Stop Light; most people call it the "led strip"), turn signals from the lights that are NOT on the liftgate (which meant running wires down the rubber tube) and so forth. Not much to work with in the liftgate itself.
We've been looking at all the wiring in the back, finding the right places to 'tap' for the Lighted Rear Applique. The vid shows a "Knight Rider" scroll effect... when driving, the applique does much more conventional things, like tail/stop/sequenced turns, things like that. We had to pick up "stop" from the CHMSL (Center High Mount Stop Light; most people call it the "led strip"), turn signals from the lights that are NOT on the liftgate (which meant running wires down the rubber tube) and so forth. Not much to work with in the liftgate itself.
Last edited by a moderator:
Lloyd
Well-Known Member
2013_tesla_model-s_det_lt_8181304_600.jpg
The inside light that is just to the right of the chrome surrounded reverse light. The light in question would raise up when the hatch is lifted to be clear
lighted-t.jpg
The inside part that is not lit in the second pic.
The inside light that is just to the right of the chrome surrounded reverse light. The light in question would raise up when the hatch is lifted to be clear
lighted-t.jpg
The inside part that is not lit in the second pic.
Last edited:
Cyclone
Cyclonic Member ((.oO))
SherSlick
Member
So on Euro-spec cars the clear section just inside of the red outer section is yellow turn signal only. DOT in the US mandates a specific amount of area that is covered. So US-spec lights do both the red "ring" and the clear "ring"
Now, if you are talking about the section that is mounted to the lift gate vs the body of the car. I cannot recall if the clear "ring" is lit for stop on both the hatch and body assemblies.
Now, if you are talking about the section that is mounted to the lift gate vs the body of the car. I cannot recall if the clear "ring" is lit for stop on both the hatch and body assemblies.
Alysashley79
Active Member
^^^this is pretty cool. I'm not a fan of the lighted T mostly just because it's a little much for me but I love this design. Is this something you made or purchased?
Last edited by a moderator:
Danal
electricmotorglider.com
They are just becoming available:
For Sale Lighted rear applique with special effects and Bluetoot... | Panjo
Or, if that link changes:
Exterior Parts and Lighting Items for Sale
I am the manufacturer of the electronics. I supply the electronics to Artsci. Artsci is the manufacturer of the 'mechanics', meaning the water-jet cut of the Applique, the 3D printed letter inserts, and he is the overall legal owner of the accessory company that sells these.
Danal
electricmotorglider.com
I believe the original post was referring to segment 3 in the labeled pic. That pic has "Parking" (sometimes called "Tail") lights on. As you can see, segment 1 and 4 light up "medium brightness" red. In the picture with the brake lights on (notice the strip at the top of the window), you can see that segment 1, 2, and 4 light up "bright red". Segment 3 does not light. And, on USA 2015 model year cars, there is no wiring that could possibly light it. The harness that reaches the liftgate tail light assemblies contains only Tail, Reverse, and Ground. No stop or turn wire is present in the harness.
Turn signals also do not light segment 3.
Just for completeness: Segment 5 is the reverse light (or reverse/fog on European cars, reverse on one side and reverse-fog on the other).
Turn signals also do not light segment 3.
Just for completeness: Segment 5 is the reverse light (or reverse/fog on European cars, reverse on one side and reverse-fog on the other).
Last edited:
Yes, section 3 is what I was asking about. Thank you Danal for providing the numbered pics.
The brake lights would look much better if section 3 illuminated as well.
The brake lights would look much better if section 3 illuminated as well.
Slightly off topic, but in european cars, for segment 5, one side has reverse light (white light) and one side has rear foglight (red light). When reversing, there is only 1 white light.
Anybody know how to make the tail lights clear? Do the LED's behind the red reflector in 4 shine red or white? I want to make mine look more like an Aston Martin with the clear tail lights that still light up red when illuminated.
