Installing Euro Taillights

By Howard S

We purchased a set of Euro taillights and amber rear side marker lights from Eckler’s. With the euro lights you get 4 new lens housings (2 right and 2 left sides) and a wiring harness. The side markers are only the lenses (2 of the same). I used the following steps to install the lights in the 2001 convertible.

1. Remove the original taillights using a T-15 torx bit. Then remove the lamps from the tail light lenses. The lamps on the original harness will be used in the new lights. (See photo 1)

2. Feed the new harness through a right side tail light opening. Feed the end with the connection down under the car following the original harness. Feed the left side lights to the left side of the car. Wire ties are provided to secure it to the old harness.

3. Jack up the car and support on jack stands. On the outside of the right frame rail, just forward of the muffler you will find a connector. Unplug it. The 2 sides get plugged into the new harness. Be sure to push the harness up between the heat shield and storage box to keep it away from the muffler. (See photo 2)

4. If you are putting in new side marker lights, do so now. Each one is held on by 2 - 11mm nuts. They can be reached through the taillight openings. On the convertible, due to the antenna, I had to pull the right inner fender liner to get to the right marker light.

5. Put the new amber bulbs in the lower part of the new lenses and the original bulbs in the red portion. Then install the new lens housings. (See photo 3)

6. On the drivers side, under the dash, you need to lower the panel forward of the kneepad panel. It is held on by 2 push-in fasteners. Pull the rear edge down so you can see the brake pedal switch. The switch has 3 wires. The white wire must be cut for the lights to work correctly. (See photo 4)

That’s it! The only tools I needed were a T15, 11mm wrench, and wire cutters. It took less than one hour to install. A great look for a minimum amount of time and roughly $325.00.