Clear Rear Lights Install

[AdamV8V]

Spent the morning having some quality father-and-son time, installing some clear rear lights on my Tungsten V8V with my old man.

Used the instructions from here: http://www.aston-martin-vantage.com/aston-martin-v...

We did it in just under two hours, and I'm glad I made it a 2 man job as I think I'd still be in the garage on my own if not!

It's a technically very simple install, it just depends on your level of OCD in getting the assemblies perfectly flush, and the infinite fiddling with the bolts that comes with it.

Access to the raised brake light is also a bit of b*tch, but you get there in the end.

Now have the N400 sills and the clear lights, so think I'll stop there. Although I've recently learnt that later models have a 6 bar grill as opposed to the 8 on mine. Bummer!

Before:


After:

Edited by AdamV8V on Saturday 10th September 16:44

[t1blk]

Very nice indeed, you've done a great job.Clear rear lenses are the next thing I want to do to my DB9, that and sportspack wheels.

[Jockman]

Looks good Adam - did my DB9 about 16 months ago

[George H]

Looks a big improvement, just need to get those reflectors painted

[GlynMo]

Nice job. I read somewhere (I think it was in an ad on ebay) that there is an ecu up-date necessary if changing from red to clear rear lights. True or false? I can't imagine why it would be so, but I'm more at home playing with 60s cars!

[Ice27]

Mmmmmm, very nice!!!

There's always... Removing the Vantage badge (Free Upgrade!) and the Carbon Fibre Diffuser (awesome upgrade!).

[AdamV8V]

Yes, apparently the when you change to the new lights on pre 09 cars, the dash warning to say your light is out no longer works, which requires an ECU reflash. I think I'll wait for the next service for that.

A bigger concern for me is that since doing the install I now have a message that comes up during the start up sequence that says there's an emissions check failure, then the engine light remains on! My ECU has been a bit, er, temperamental since I've had the car, so I think it just needs the codes reset.

Has anybody else had this at all?

I agree about the reflectors. I've heard it'll fail its MOT if they're not red though?...

I'd love the carbon rear diffuser (looks great on the S) but doesn't this require a whole new rear bumper assembly?

[George H]

AdamV8V said:

I agree about the reflectors. I've heard it'll fail its MOT if they're not red though?...

I believe you can get stick on ones for MOT time. There was a thread on here a while back.

[Ice27]

AdamV8V said:

Yes, apparently the when you change to the new lights on pre 09 cars, the dash warning to say your light is out no longer works, which requires an ECU reflash. I think I'll wait for the next service for that.

A bigger concern for me is that since doing the install I now have a message that comes up during the start up sequence that says there's an emissions check failure, then the engine light remains on! My ECU has been a bit, er, temperamental since I've had the car, so I think it just needs the codes reset.

Has anybody else had this at all?

I agree about the reflectors. I've heard it'll fail its MOT if they're not red though?...

I'd love the carbon rear diffuser (looks great on the S) but doesn't this require a whole new rear bumper assembly?

Aston Martin offer the N400 style Carbon Fibre Splitter and diffuser kit which is bolted onto your existing bumper and front air dam. I have mine added onto a Tungsten Vantage too. Try a search for Spot the Difference thread.

And Page 25 of the photo thread.

Edited by Ice27 on Sunday 11th September 13:09

[KarlFranz]

AdamV8V said:

Yes, apparently the when you change to the new lights on pre 09 cars, the dash warning to say your light is out no longer works, which requires an ECU reflash. I think I'll wait for the next service for that.

Not true. This is another one of those myths that had its origins in truth but has been perpetuated through the forums so you'll be fine. The original clear DBS taillights were not compatible with the lamp-out detection on the Vantages. Aston asked its dealer network to stop installing them on customers' Vantages until they came up with a solution because of potential liability. Their concern was that you could be unaware your taillights were out and then get rear-ended because someone behind you couldn't see you braking. All newer manufactured lights are now compatible and don't need a software update to work with the car.

AdamV8V said:

I'd love the carbon rear diffuser (looks great on the S) but doesn't this require a whole new rear bumper assembly?

There is a retrofit kit sold by AM that includes the diffuser and front splitter and fits on all standard Vantages without replacing the entire bumper. It looks fantastic and I want it for my car, but have to wait until I can save a few $$.

Finally, did you install the N400 sills yourself? Any installation tips if so? I'm finally getting mine in this week.

[Ice27]

KarlFranz said:

There is a retrofit kit sold by AM that includes the diffuser and front splitter and fits on all standard Vantages without replacing the entire bumper. It looks fantastic and I want it for my car, but have to wait until I can save a few $$.

Thats the N400 diffuser though, not the V12 / V8VS type diffuser.

[GoldenDrummer]

KarlFranz said:

AdamV8V said:

Yes, apparently the when you change to the new lights on pre 09 cars, the dash warning to say your light is out no longer works, which requires an ECU reflash. I think I'll wait for the next service for that.

Not true. This is another one of those myths that had its origins in truth but has been perpetuated through the forums so you'll be fine. The original clear DBS taillights were not compatible with the lamp-out detection on the Vantages. Aston asked its dealer network to stop installing them on customers' Vantages until they came up with a solution because of potential liability. Their concern was that you could be unaware your taillights were out and then get rear-ended because someone behind you couldn't see you braking. All newer manufactured lights are now compatible and don't need a software update to work with the car.

Rick told me only a couple of weeks ago that if I upgraded the rear lights on my 06 V8V I would need a reflash...

[KarlFranz]

Ice27 said:

Thats the N400 diffuser though, not the V12 / V8VS type diffuser.

I know. I actually prefer the look of it compared to the more integrated look of the V8VS/V12V one. But I wouldn't complain if I had either as they are both very nice.

[mikey k]

Ice27 said:

Thats the N400 diffuser though, not the V12 / V8VS type diffuser.

N420 not N400

Adam they lok great!
I did warn you about the brake light
By comparision the grill is easy

Edited by mikey k on Sunday 11th September 22:42

[thewharftrader]

Hi all,

Has anyone replaced the rear lights of an 07 vantage roadster?

The guide talks about remove 6 plugs but I can't see any and can't work out how you would get into the lights. I think I can see how you would get to the 3rd light but do you have to unscrew the grab handle? do you need a special Allan key to get that off?

Very tempted to do it but before I finalise plans, I want to know that I can definitely do it myself before thinking about it more.

Cheers in advance.

[jonamv8]

George H said:

AdamV8V said:

I agree about the reflectors. I've heard it'll fail its MOT if they're not red though?...

I believe you can get stick on ones for MOT time. There was a thread on here a while back.

Yeah just stick some temporary reflectors on prior to it going in and it'll pass. Or send it to a friendly dealership, Hagley AM did mine and 'failed' to notice them...

I have intervened and sent a set of reflectors to Adam so I'll be looking out for updated pics ASAP! Clean up that rear end a treat!!

[yeti]

Car looks way better with the clears, nice job. I would have to change/paint/replace the reflectors though. Vergis, what do you mean by white reflector tape?

As you can see with the Jockman's picture, it's not quite as bad with a DB9 as they're tucked away...

[Stuart Dickinson]

KarlFranz said:

Not true. This is another one of those myths that had its origins in truth but has been perpetuated through the forums so you'll be fine. The original clear DBS taillights were not compatible with the lamp-out detection on the Vantages. Aston asked its dealer network to stop installing them on customers' Vantages until they came up with a solution because of potential liability. Their concern was that you could be unaware your taillights were out and then get rear-ended because someone behind you couldn't see you braking. All newer manufactured lights are now compatible and don't need a software update to work with the car.

Unless I'm mistaken and this bulletin has been superceded, the pre-08 DB9's still need (or at least, ought to have) a software update to install the clear lenses:

AstonMartin said:

Reason for this Service Action (SA-17-0186)
We have found a software problem that affects pre- 08 MY DB9 vehicles that have had the clear style rear lamp
assemblies installed as an aftermarket accessory. This problem causes the hazard warning function of the vehicle's
lights to flash in an incorrect sequence, only when the ignition is set to off. When the ignition is set to on, all of the
vehicle's lights will operate correctly.

Appendix 'A' – List of Affected VINs

USA Aston Martin Austin DB9 A02622
USA Aston Martin Newport Beach DB9 A08363
USA Aston Martin Newport Beach DB9 A08552
USA Aston Martin Newport Beach DB9 A07126
USA Miller Motor Cars DB9 B04501
USA Miller Motor Cars DB9 B05678
USA Miller Motor Cars DB9 B07136
USA Miller Motor Cars DB9 B08069
Australia Aston Martin Sydney DB9 A07815
Australia Aston Martin Sydney DB9 B08210
Australia Barbagallo Aston Martin DB9 B07986
Australia Barbagallo Aston Martin DB9 B08643
Austria Aston Martin Salzburg DB9 B03445
Belgium Aston Martin Brussels DB9 A06528
Canada MCL Motor Cars (1992) Inc DB9 B08659
Czech Republic Aston Martin Prague DB9 A02100
Germany Aston Martin Düsseldorf DB9 A01459
Germany Aston Martin Kronberg DB9 A00074
Germany Aston Martin Kronberg DB9 A02327
Germany Autohaus Kempen DB9 A06266
Germany Autohaus Kempen DB9 B03530
Germany Autohaus Kempen DB9 B06753
Hong Kong MF Jebsen Automotive Ltd DB9 A05675
Japan Aston Martin Osaka Hakko DB9 A06082
Japan Atlantic Cars Limited DB9 A06548
Netherlands Cito Motors BV DB9 A06940
Singapore Aston Martin Lagonda (SEA) DB9 A02390
UK Aston Martin Works Service DB9 A00588
UK HWM Ltd DB9 A00127
UK HWM Ltd DB9 A00975
UK HWM Ltd DB9 A03321
UK JCT 600 Brooklands DB9 A03238
UK JCT 600 Brooklands DB9 A07603
UK Lancaster Sevenoaks DB9 A02222
UK Lancaster Sevenoaks DB9 A03752
UK Lancaster Sevenoaks DB9 B04355
UK Stratstone of Amersham DB9 A00186
UK Stratstone of Amersham DB9 A07636
UK Stratstone of Amersham DB9 B03940
UK Stratstone of Amersham DB9 B06583
UK Stratstone of Cardiff DB9 A07900
UK Stratstone of Wilmslow DB9 A00247
UK Stratstone of Wilmslow DB9 A03662
UK Stratstone of Wilmslow DB9 A07417
UK Stratstone of Wilmslow DB9 A07425
UK Stratstone of Wilmslow DB9 A08655
UK Stratstone of Wilmslow DB9 A08682

[KarlFranz]

Stuart Dickinson said:

Unless I'm mistaken and this bulletin has been superceded, the pre-08 DB9's still need (or at least, ought to have) a software update to install the clear lenses:

I never said anything about the DB9. My knowledge is limited to what the dealer reveals about the Vantage.

[Stuart Dickinson]

KarlFranz said:

I never said anything about the DB9. My knowledge is limited to what the dealer reveals about the Vantage.

I realized that, wasn't trying to contradict you just adding info to the discussion for those with DB9's.