Hi guys,

What model/years of the Series III come with a center mounted brake light, other times known as a '3rd brake light'? Im gonna hit the junkyards soon to see if i can find this part. My XJ6 didn't come with one :-( I assume the VDP models had it? possibly the XJS?

 

In the USA it started in 1986. Maybe 1985 in other countries. I also installed one in my '84.

when you go hunting for one of these Hella lamps, make sure you pull the lamp's plastic cover first, there are two push buttons under the cover and it slides off. If the two aluminum mounting brackets are still glued to the glass, just pull the lamp UP towards the roof. Chances are if you find one, the brackets glue must have dried and the assembly fell off and is just laying there on the rear parcel shelf. In that case, and after you've removed the cover, disconnect the two-wire harness from the lamp, there is a small plug with two wires on the right side of the lamp itself.

once you do that, push the harness towards the boot and follow it all the way to the end and get as much wiring harness length as you can. Also remove the Rubber Grommet through which the harness crosses over to the boot/trunk, you'll need it. Measure the grommet hole diameter and the location of the grommet so you can duplicate it in your car.

when you reach the harness end, cut it.

I wired mine to one of the tail lamps, (one wire to ground, one wire to the STOP light bulb wire); I've had no issues with the Bulb Check when you start the engine. Works perfect.

I did not use the aluminum brackets, I used 3M Automotive Molding Tape (double-sided). Fits better and more flush to the glass, and it allows you to unstick it if you install it out of level or out of center. you might experiment mounting the lamp at the top of the glass Center, or at the Bottom Center as the factory did. I think it looks better at the TOP but then there is some interference with the rear view mirror view when you're driving.

 

Good mod procedure from Jose.

High Level Stop Lights became a requirement in some European countries in the early 80's but started a lot later in the UK. My 1996 X300 was built just before the third brake light became mandatory over here which was well after the Series III ceased production.

I retro fitted the OE Jaguar unit (manufactured by Hella) but also replaced the rear screen for one with the correct the black masking:



Presumably the Series III will need some similar masking to cover the edges of the brake light unit?

Graham

 

The factory installations on the Ser IIIs used a back glass with black masking, yes.

Cheers
DD

 

I used black "limo" window film to create two areas with which to hide the double-sided 3M molding tape I used. It looks fine with the original non-blacked out rear screen area. I did the same thing to my '65 S type, using an XJ-6 High Mounted Stop Lamp. The XJ-6 looks identical. See the pictures of the XJ-6 high mounted stop lamp installed in my S type. The second picture shows the lamp as seen from the interior. (I painted the cover in a cream color).

Also Thank You Moderator for the compliment :-)) you are correct, these lamps were manufactured by Hella.

 

hi guys,

thanks for the replies and great suggestions! i found this:

1988 89 90 91 92 JAGUAR XJ6 THIRD BRAKE LIGHT | eBay

and I think i'm just gonna pick it up -- clean it up a bit and do Jose's mod.

However, i do have a question about the light bulbs -- are the bulbs this unit:

XR811819 "5 watt" wedge base?

Thanks!

 

or does anyone have a picture of it? i can't seem to find one with that part number, although i'm sure a bulb manufacturer out there has a picture of one.

thanks!

 

the light bulbs used in the Hella high mounted Stop Lamp are the 194 push in, pull out type. To replace them, turn the round bulb holder/sockets counterclockwise and pull it out, the bulb is mounted to the socket itself. The Series 3 XJ has these same bulbs in every door, at the light that comes on when you open the door mounted on the door itself. Also they are (maybe) in the back of the speedo and tach. The 294 comes in 3 and 5 watts. Careful with the 5 watters, they will melt the Hella red lens.

 

So which one do you use? The 3 watt or the 5 watt? The 194 or the 294?

 

the 194 because that's what the lamp came with. it's bright enough with 5 of those bulbs.