Porter Cab light bulb

[fwdtamiya]

Wondering if anyone knows the Garage Vary/Porter Cab brake light bulb part number? Went to autozone and picked up the closest bulbs I could find (Sylvania 53), but those didn't work, despite fitting.

The bulb is 12v 3.4w and I'm thinking it may be this A72A

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stanley-A72A-12V-3-4W-G10-Clear-Auto-Bulb-Made-in-Japan-Quantity-1-Bulb-/111595571831

I also found this retailer, but the cheapest shipping option was $9.05
http://www.motoparthub.com/A_72_BP_Eiko_Light_Bulbs_Indicator_12V_3_4W_Mfg_N_ A_72_Card?src=Google&gclid=CjwKEAjw19vABRCY2YmkpO2OzTsSJAAzEt8sose4auDE hT-1r5g4LKVnTw8FK6zr5rJ6Gyn0nkiekhoCEf_w_wcB

Pic of my bulb
http://i.imgur.com/1kCAoED.jpg

[vote4pedro]

May be check for an LED replacement? More expensive, but you will not have to worry about them for a long time.

[fwdtamiya]

An LED replacement for what bulb though? This is the problem.

[Grip Driver]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-TRX200-SX-1986-12V-3-4-Watts-TAIL-LIGHT-BULB-HL108-/251102618260

[Hammerhead]

This is the little bulb, right? I don't think I've ever noticed it lighting up on my GV tails.

[freedomgli]

Sorry I don't have an answer for you but appreciate you blazing the trail and reporting back once you find out.

[freedomgli]

http://www.nissei-polarg.co.jp/koito/hyo/result.php?dc=13000010
Stop & Tail Lamp Combination Bulb
Shape: S25 double (BAY15d)
Rating: 12V 21W (stop) / 5W (tail)


http://www.sp.koito.co.jp/ctlg/p09.pdf
Bulb dimensions (drawing #3): 26.5mm diameter, 47.5mm height
Part number: P8844
Suggested Retail Price (Yen/ Tax Not Included): ¥400
Rated: 12V 21/5W
Mouthpiece: BAY15d
Glass Sphere: S25
Light Color: Clear
Organize No.: C-22
JAN 4961065 (JDM EAN-13) barcode: 057087
Quantity / Package: 1
Location: Tail & Stop

[freedomgli]

I think this might work but see if you can somehow cross-reference the Stanley part number
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stanley-A4875B-12V-21-5W-S25-BAY15d-Clear-Auto-Bulb-Quantity-1-Bulb-Plain-Box-/121569079959?hash=item1c4e14f297:g:6MEAAOSwrklU3Qx U&vxp=mtr

[fwdtamiya]

I think this might work but see if you can somehow cross-reference the Stanley part number
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stanley-A4875B-12V-21-5W-S25-BAY15d-Clear-Auto-Bulb-Quantity-1-Bulb-Plain-Box-/121569079959?hash=item1c4e14f297:g:6MEAAOSwrklU3Qx U&vxp=mtr
That is the marker light I believe, not the brake light. As the shape isn't right and that's a dual terminal instead of a single. It may be the T16 bulb listed here (http://www.nissei-polarg.co.jp/koito/hyo/result.php?dc=13000010), despite the wattage being listed much higher. When I punched T16 bulb into google this 12 v 5w bulb popped up!

http://fslautolight.com/product-3-21-t16-auto-miniature-bulb-en/148033

But I ordered the ebay A72A last night, I'll update you guys with how that goes.

[freedomgli]

The Porter Cab tail lamp assembly has two bulbs in it:

1. Combination stop/tail lamp
S25 bulb shape, BAY15d base, two filaments 21W (stop) and 5W (tail)
https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5507/30643063031_dd0440be93_o.jpg
https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5532/30430814820_527258f519_o.jpg

2. Turn signal marker lamp
S25 bulb shape, BAY15s base, one filament 21W (blinker)
https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5570/30430815270_765d75e832_o.jpg
https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5479/30643062581_90615fd48a_o.jpg

https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5699/30643062771_81824da816_o.jpg

The bulb you show in your first post does not look like an original type bulb for the combination stop/tail lamp so I don't know what's up with that. Did you buy your GV kit used?

[Hammerhead]

I could have sworn there was a third (small) bulb in the housing? Maybe I'm having a brain fart - as your picture clearly shows the 2 bulbs. I wish I were home right now to check mine.

[fwdtamiya]

Brand new when the group buy with Rev9, all came in Mazda sealed boxes. 3 separate bulbs, don't got time to photograph right now, about to leave for an appointment, I think what you have pictured is an old design.

[freedomgli]

All good info. Keep us posted.

[Hammerhead]

Brand new when the group buy with Rev9, all came in Mazda sealed boxes. 3 separate bulbs, don't got time to photograph right now, about to leave for an appointment, I think what you have pictured is an old design.

I have two sets of the GV tails for the NA. One I purchased from a local seller prior to the REV9 group buy and one I purchased in the group buy. Both of my sets came with porter Cab lights that have three bulbs in each lamp - 1 turn signal (1157), 1 tail/brake (1156) and a much smaller bulb beneath the tail/brake bulb. I'm guessing that in the JDM, the bulb has a purpose, but our export cars (to USA) aren't wired to utilize the little bulb. Maybe its some type of DRL or fog lamp.

[fwdtamiya]

So, you're saying one of the filaments on my tail/brake (1156) is working for the tail, and the other filament for the brake isn't working (If it is dual filament in the 3 light design)?
I was working under the assumption the small light was the brake light. I guess I'll take apart the good working light and compare it when I have time.

[freedomgli]

It's been a while since I've taken my own tail lamps apart (pic above was taken from Bruce's classified ad) but I've seen other examples online showing just the two bulbs. It makes me wonder if the Porter lamp is different than the AZ-1 version or perhaps Stanley or Mazda changed the specification at some point. Also, REV9 says, "The GV Do-It-Yourself Nostalgic Tail Lights for NA (1989-1997) MX-5 are the solution to the now discontinued Mazda Porter Tail Lights (that came with the original Garage Vary Tail Lights Kit)." Which makes me wonder how they are getting around the "now discontinued Porter Tail Light" issue, especially if they come in Mazda boxes with Mazda part numbers on them.

Anyhow, this whole thing reminded me that it can be a pain to remove the lamps due to the plastic nut used on the backside of the fiberglass panel that the lamp mounting screws fasten to. One day I will modify mine with some sort of captured nut. Not such a big deal since you can still access the back side of the tail lamps from inside the trunk. But important to think about for the reverse lamp, especially if you permanently affix the fiberglass panel like Revlimiter did. He used J-style clip on nuts.
https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5765/30753933215_87bdc03b99_o.jpg

https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5619/30717194686_97f04c86e6_o.jpg

http://revlimiter.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/DSC_2357.jpg

[fwdtamiya]

I have two sets of the GV tails for the NA. One I purchased from a local seller prior to the REV9 group buy and one I purchased in the group buy. Both of my sets came with porter Cab lights that have three bulbs in each lamp - 1 turn signal (1157), 1 tail/brake (1156) and a much smaller bulb beneath the tail/brake bulb. I'm guessing that in the JDM, the bulb has a purpose, but our export cars (to USA) aren't wired to utilize the little bulb. Maybe its some type of DRL or fog lamp.

Update: This is correct btw. I replaced the little bulb since I had already ordered it, didn't do anything. Fail on my random diagnostics. Bought a Sylvania 1157 Longlife (12.8/14V, 26.9/8.3W) from autozone, matches the light output of the OE Stanley almost perfectly. I think I didn't end up with a 1156 because this bulb just happen to be closer to the Stanley voltage and wattage figures.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51EYq2wKElL._SY300_.jpg