A Sign from God?
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From: Heyworth IL
Need Help with Brake Lights
So I buy an 87 Vert a few days ago, and the third brake light doesn't work. Today in Illinois it's in the mid 50's and a beautiful day outside, so I figure I'll head out to the garage and get to know my new baby. I try to look behind the license plate but can't get access to the high mounted brake lights. I think to myself that I'll just search the forums and see what wisdom others have to depart to me. No such luck. For some reason, the search isn't there anymore! Is this a sign from above for me not work on the vette today? 
Now I'll have to spend countless hours couped up inside, manually go through the forums to see how to access the light bulbs. My shop manuals are on the way, but not here yet 
Now I'll have to spend countless hours couped up inside, manually go through the forums to see how to access the light bulbs. My shop manuals are on the way, but not here yet
Last edited by mfarrugia; Feb 5, 2005 at 06:34 PM.
Racer
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From: Santa Barbara Minnesota
Originally Posted by mfarrugia
So I buy an 87 Vert a few days ago, and the third brake light doesn't work. Today in Illinois it's in the mid 50's and a beautiful day outside, so I figure I'll head out to the garage and get to know my new baby. I try to look behind the license plate but can't get access to the high mounted brake lights. I think to myself that I'll just search the forums and see what wisdom others have to depart to me. No such luck. For some reason, the search isn't there anymore! Is this a sign from above for me not work on the vette today? Now I'll have to spend countless hours couped up inside, manually go through the forums to see how to access the light bulbs. My shop manuals are on the way, but not here yet
Now I'll have to spend countless hours couped up inside, manually go through the forums to see how to access the light bulbs. My shop manuals are on the way, but not here yet 
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From: Heyworth IL
That's great news! I've found the lead that goes to the lights, went through the gas tank cover from above. It's got voltage, I just need to replace the bulbs. I'm still not sure how to get them. 
This is a convertible, not a coupe so everything is pretty cramped in back.
This is a convertible, not a coupe so everything is pretty cramped in back.
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From: Heyworth IL
It was working yesterday... Anyways.. I found out from autozone.com that you have to go in behind the license plate, contort your body into the most unnatural of shapes and remove the mounting bolts from the inside. Yeah.. I've been trying that for the past 2 hours.. I think I'm going to take it somewhere and (ouch) pay to have it done.
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From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
Originally Posted by bogus
Search hasn't worked in 2 years...
that ain't no lie It's funny how it works one minute and not the next...
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From: Heyworth IL
I'll probably give it one more go tonight from underneath the vette. I can see the module, it has a bolt on each end but also a screw right next to it on either end. I'm assuming I remove the bolts and not the screws. Either way it's a very tight place to work in without removing the fuel tank.
And now the search is working again with a new page to boot! Before, when you clicked search only a little box would appear, now we've got a full page with a lot of different options to choose from. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the answer on a easy way to access it on a vert but still glad to know it's back.
And now the search is working again with a new page to boot! Before, when you clicked search only a little box would appear, now we've got a full page with a lot of different options to choose from. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the answer on a easy way to access it on a vert but still glad to know it's back.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
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From: Windermere FL
I have the same problem. It is not the light, socket or wiring. Just FYI - you get to the bulb thru the gas filler.
But the real problem is that although you have voltage at the socket, you are not getting enough current. There is a switch on the brake pedal that is causing the problem.
I did not know this when I was trying to fix mine, so I ended up putting in a seperate relay to supply the bulb power.
But replacing the switch on the brake pedal is the way to properly fix this. Common problem.
But the real problem is that although you have voltage at the socket, you are not getting enough current. There is a switch on the brake pedal that is causing the problem.
I did not know this when I was trying to fix mine, so I ended up putting in a seperate relay to supply the bulb power.
But replacing the switch on the brake pedal is the way to properly fix this. Common problem.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Heyworth IL
Ok, I removed the panel by the drivers side floor and have access to the switches. I see two for the brake pedal. Any idea which one it is - the right or the left switch? One has a blue module on the back, the other has a white module on the back.
Thanks Guys!
Mike
Thanks Guys!
Mike
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From: Gulfcoast Salvage Englewood, Fla
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
If the regular brake lites are working,the switch shouldn't(there's two because one of them works to shut down the cruise control) be the problem...Should be able to access it by removing the gas lid(4 screws) extract the rubber boot and it should be right there... The back-up lite leads are there too..make sure you have the right one...Probably a dirty socket...Just another opinion..
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Originally Posted by mfarrugia
So I buy an 87 Vert a few days ago, and the third brake light doesn't work. Today in Illinois it's in the mid 50's and a beautiful day outside, so I figure I'll head out to the garage and get to know my new baby. I try to look behind the license plate but can't get access to the high mounted brake lights. I think to myself that I'll just search the forums and see what wisdom others have to depart to me. No such luck. For some reason, the search isn't there anymore! Is this a sign from above for me not work on the vette today? Now I'll have to spend countless hours couped up inside, manually go through the forums to see how to access the light bulbs. My shop manuals are on the way, but not here yet
Now I'll have to spend countless hours couped up inside, manually go through the forums to see how to access the light bulbs. My shop manuals are on the way, but not here yet Problem is most likely burned out bulbs, there are three of them!
Remove entire license plate assembly, removing the gas tank filer etc is optional
The entire third brake light assembly is held in place with two speed nuts at each end
It helps to be ambidexterious but you can get them loose with I think a 3/8 by 1/4" small ratchet. the trick is to have the ratchet handles pointing to the outside of the car, that way there is room to move them
Be prepared to cut yourself...replace all three bulbs at the same time
Jack