1157 Brake Light Bulbs

[Glennman]

On my 2002 MCI, I have the brake lights that use the 1157 style bulbs. However, one of them has the number 1157F on it, and it does not appear to work the same as the one on the other side. On the passenger side, both filaments light up, but on the driver's side only one lights up (it has 2 filaments inside) and appears dim as a result. The dim one is an 1157F. These are 12 volt (at least that is the reading I'm getting with my volt meter).

I'm thinking of changing the bulbs for the comparable LED ones that plug into the same socket. Anyone have any experience with these? Thank you all in advance.

[Utahclaimjumper]

LEDs are the only way to go..>>>Dan

[buswarrior]

1157 is a stop/tail bulb, dual filament, do your brake lights operate like that?

1156 is the single filament bulb for stop only.

Maybe wrong bulbs shoved in there?

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[RJ]

I'm thinking of changing the bulbs for the comparable LED ones that plug into the same socket. Anyone have any experience with these? Thank you all in advance.

Glenn -

I have used these in my VW's tail/brake lights. So far, so good, mucho brighter, too!

https://smile.amazon.com/iBrightstar-Newest-Projector-replacement-Brilliant/dp/B01MY4T4BU/ref=sr_1_3?crid=PIKKXAD7G6N4&keywords=everbright+super+white+1157&qid=1645646652&s=automotive&sprefix=everbright+super+white+1157%2Cautomotive%2C542&sr=1-3

Comes in three colors: red, amber, and white. Be sure to order the correct color - which would be white if you have red lenses.

FWIW & HTH. . . 

RJ

[Glennman]

Thanks RJ. I believe the 1156 bulbs have only one connection on the bottom, as mine have 2 (1157). In re-thinking it, it seems like if they have 2 filaments, one would be for tail lights and the other for brakes. However, I recall both filaments lighting up at the same time, but I didn't have the tail lights turned on. I'll have to look again. Either way, I'll be going for the LEDs for sure.

[chessie4905]

they also have offset pins on base so they go in one way only. maybe your socket is messed up in that contact points in it are mispositioned.

[Glennman]

In researching the LEDs, people complained that they worked fine for a while but stopped getting brighter when applying the brakes. Some also complained that they needed some kind of resistors installed because they would flash funny. Not too sure yet...

[RJ]

In researching the LEDs, people complained that they worked fine for a while but stopped getting brighter when applying the brakes. Some also complained that they needed some kind of resistors installed because they would flash funny. Not too sure yet...

Glenn -

That dimming while the brakes are on seems to be a common issue with the really cheap LED 1157 replacement bulbs.

Have you confirmed that there are two contacts in the bottom of the light bulb socket on your MCI?  If there are two contacts, it takes an 1157 bulb.  If only a single contact, it's an 1156.

As Richard pointed out, some sockets take bulbs with offset pins, others don't, thus something else to check. As Buswarrior has often pointed out - who knows what some maintenance flunky may have stuck in there to get the coach back out into revenue service asap!

My VW has the offset pins for the turn signal bulbs, which caught me by surprise as I was changing them out for LEDs. I went by "Da Book" when I ordered them, but oops, somebody forgot to tell Da Book authors about the difference. (Or maybe that's because VW tells you to take it to a dealer to have your bulbs replaced?)

Apparently there's a P21W and a PY21W 1156 bulb, one having the offset pins, the other not. IIRC, it's the "PY" that's offset.  I ended up ordering both. . .

These are the ones I ordered for the single contact 1156 bulbs used in my VW's turn signal circuit. They have the built-in electronics to prevent the common "hyper-flash" cheaper bulbs omit, thus requiring you to wire in a resistor, which these do not need. So far, in eight months of heavy usage, no failures yet, and still as bright as the day I installed them.

In the "P21W" style:
https://smile.amazon.com/EverBright-2800Lumens-Signal-Canbus-Camper/dp/B07QWWZ6GJ/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_rp_c_1/137-7714095-3222742?pd_rd_w=nnSkj&pf_rd_p=45475782-eccf-4008-8965-5a4bab0ca086&pf_rd_r=W5JAP6ZXEB9V1RFZGBRB&pd_rd_r=2603b63a-f46b-42cf-8e94-c8095dbcd295&pd_rd_wg=R73pT&pd_rd_i=B07QWWZ6GJ&psc=1

Here's the same bulb in the "PY21W" offset-pin configuration:
https://smile.amazon.com/EverBright-Extremely-Replacement-2800Lumens-Chipset/dp/B07NBR4BGH/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_rp_c_4/137-7714095-3222742?pd_rd_w=5k0R2&pf_rd_p=45475782-eccf-4008-8965-5a4bab0ca086&pf_rd_r=7EP6YAVHGZ0A7SGEBEEN&pd_rd_r=dea2af89-126d-4db0-9094-217c2291d49f&pd_rd_wg=56T51&pd_rd_i=B07NBR4BGH&psc=1

FWIW & HTH. . .

RJ

[Glennman]

Thanks RJ. I usually take the reviews with a certain sized grain of salt, but they are not only terrible but also consistent claiming similar issues.

I believe that when I was reinserting the 1157 bulbs into the socket that both filaments lit up even though the tail lights weren't on. There are definitely 2 contacts and offset pins on both sides of the bus and they appear to be original equipment. In light of these discussions (no pun intended), I really need to reevaluate what I have. Isn't it the case that if there are 2 contacts and offset pins that they are dual application (brakes and tail or brakes and signal, or...)? I'll have to wait until this weekend to make a full assessment and get back to the discussion. Thank you very much!

[6805eagleguy]

little late to the party

superbrightleds.com

[chessie4905]

I'm a frequently user of sleds and really satisfied. But he'll  need to sort his issues first. Btw, I've seen a broken filament lay across the other one and cause both lamps to light. Also if you have this happening with nothing on, could be an issue up front with turn signal switch or 4 ways or brake light switch.