>
> > From: "Chris Kent Kantarjiev" <cak@parc.xerox.com>
> > My guess is that looking at them at night will not be a problem. The
> > lens and reflector design in most taillamps is pretty inefficient.
>
Jody Levine says:
> I don't know about your car, but the main problem with my TR7's taillights is
> the chrome coating on the reflector. Over the years it has come away from
> the plastic backing, either giving the reflector the wrong shape or flaking
> off completely such that all you see is a little dull spot in the middle.
> I've been meaning to take them apart again and line the reflectors with
> aluminium foil, to see if that helps. does anyone have a better solution
> for this?
I wrote this summary up for the volvo list and it is very generic, so
I hope it might be of some use. It covers troubleshooting lights,
how to make them brighter, and such. There are two possible answers to
the loss of reflector inside in the light in here. Additions/corrections
are welcome. (1/2 page rambling, then info ... honest :-)
jennifer "dim bulb" joy
[who worries about being rear-ended]
----included message----
Thanks for all the bright ideas. I thought I'd summarize what I
heard back. Of course I haven't done anything yet, since I've
been driving the car and I am cursed with a form of Murphy's Law
that prevents me from doing anything (no matter how trivial) to
a car I need (else face the consequences of figuring how to drive
without a dash, and so on :-).
But, I did take those ideas and checked some of them out on the 544,
and certainly the mirror coating wears away (in back of the lights),
and the bulb replacement looks like a smart thing as well.
I am also still considering a third brake light if I find one
I like.
This message is brought to you by (in no particular order):
Mike Tortorella
David Martin
Chris Corey
Jon Coifman
Herm Wiegman
Alfred Kwan
Nick Gough
John Werner
Anyway, for older volvo owners with dim lights, here are some
considerations in no particular order:
-put in high-intensity lights [note: this is ok for brakes, since
they aren't on very often, but do not do this to taillights or
other lights that run often, as it can melt things and you will
be bummed]
-add a third brakelight [make sure you check it isn't wired into
your turnsignal, make sure the amperage for that circuit is not
exceeded]
-just change the bulbs to the equivalents, but new [they dim with age]
-run tri-color European delivery tail lights ["they seem to help and
look better (IMHO) than the red & white ones" -- John Werner]
-replace the fuses
-clean off the silver reflector behind the lights, or use "chrome"
spray. Make sure you do not paint the bulb contacts (put lots of
absorbant paper in the socket).
-instead of using "chrome" spray go to a hobby shop (RC plane type) and
get/order chrome Monokote. It is a stick-on metallized plastic film
used for graphics on airplanes and the like. You would need to make a
pattern for the reflector or trim and apply as you go.
-clean the plastic len covers [the amount of dirt inside and out can be
surprising, if hazed, considering replacing]
-check voltage at the light [diff. from battery should be no more than
.10 or two]. If there is a problem then it is in the circuit. Try getting
20 feet of wire and running it directly from the battery to the lights.
If the light is brighter, then you know it is the circuit. If you can't
find the problem, give up, and run your new wire. :)
-check battery, voltage regulator, and generator (and the belt)
-check all grounds associated with the lights
-clean contacts everywhere [bulb, bulb socket, etc.] emory cloth works well
--
Jennifer Joy sys/net admin Motorola/RISC HW Austin,TX
jjoy@risc.sps.mot.com 512.891.8561 pgr:928.7447 #9561
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