Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Converting the Fog and Reverse lights to LED

Upgrade the Fog Reversing Lights
My 2018 Plus 4 has one reversing light and one fog light fitted into the rear valance. The units themselves are made by Hella. I wanted to update these to LED and have twin reverse / fog units.

On my previous 1997 +4 I upgraded the two Lucas L921 lights using a kit from www.bettercarlighting.co.uk which I was very pleased with.

Hella do not do a twin contact bulb holder for these lights so I needed to find a solution to this.

Step 1 parts
A clear lens Hella unit to replace the current red one (2ZR 008 221-057 HELLA Reverse Light P21W) from our favourite online auction site
Two Clear Plastic Vehicle Braking Lamp Socket Holders for BAY15D 1157 also from our favourite online auction site
Two 380 High power red-white LED bulbs from www.bettercarlighting.co.uk

Step 2 Replacing the bulb holder

Remove the bulb holder from the lens, it’s a twist and pull. I removed the two contacts by pulling them out with a pair of pliers.

Where the center contact was provides a good location for then drilling out using a hole saw (approx. 30mm)

I did have to file a small locator for one of the lugs on the replacement bulb holder

which was then glued in place.
Step 3 Wiring
Everything is available after removing the spare wheel

Both of the existing lights have two wires which go back to a three pin Econoseal AMP Waterproof Wiring Electrical Multi Connector.
The ‘car’ side of this has three wires being Neutral -ve, Reverse +ve and Fog +ve the bulb side one of the pins is missing and a rubber gromet instead.

You could try disassembling the plug on the light side to add the third wire or replace with a new one. You could of course remove both plug and socket and use another method.



I chose to use the existing lamp wire to splice into adding a red and green from one holder to the other to pick up the missing circuit. This had the added benefit that I could reuse the rubber boot that goes over the back of the lamp holder.

The finished job

Excellent job Tim. I was considering something along the same lines at the front using dual white/amber LED's with auto switch over to indicator flash. With clear lens this would provide DRL function when indicators not selected, but as with your conversion a change to accommodate BAY15d double contact offset pin holder would be required.

Nice job there Tim

It's on my winter to-do list, so those part numbers will be handy

Having commited to doing this mod myself and to save others chasing parts sources here are a list of direct links to suppliers

Hella reverse light - probably only lens/mount part needed

Plastic BAY15d bulb holders - from Hong Kong but cheap enough

BAY15d red/white LED's - couldn't find them on site Tim recommended so this is link to Classic Car LED's version

Econoseal 3 way connectors - not essential but as each lamp has dedicated feeds available for both fog and reverse, decided to make fresh plug and leads to each to match sockets on loom

Seems a little journey is undertaken to achieve this. So can somebody explain to me, what is the advantage? Wouldn't one single reversing and fog light be enough - provided you have strong and efficient bulbs, for instance LEDs? I do see the fun and challenge in modifying and fiddling, but it has to be purposeful. I have a quite intense (red) LED in my single fog light, and a focused beam LED in the reversing light. The rear vision is more than satisfactory (better than my 2014 Mazda tintop), and with red, bright LEDs in two sidelights, three stopping lights and a fog light I think my visibility as seen from others is good. My path would be to first change bulbs to something bright and efficient, namely LEDs. If am still not happy - make it double, but I would prefer not to complicate the electrics

I've used them a lot for bulbs. All seem good quality and a fraction of the price of the other site.

Interesting and the twin fog and reversing lights do look better but I agree with Robbie its quite a bit of work, especially for me who rarely goes out at night and have never been out in fog in the Morgan and probably never will.

Symmetry. It's all about the symmetry

On paper no extra complexity of electrics as the loom wiring for fog and reverse on each side is already there. Two bright reversing lights will help me and then the argument that two fogs identify a car rather than motorcycle in murky conditions.

Admit the initial reason for me was symmetry though, boosted by project inertia and man maths

^^^ like the man said

I fully agree - Too many cars, espacially VWs, have only one fog light.

It is impossible to estimate the distance to the car in front if there is only one light to judge by. By having a pair you not only have a better chance of being spotted, but of not having a shock from the rear.