Help! Center Tail Light
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From: Litchfield Park Arizona
Help! Center Tail Light
The center tail light just went out on my 98 Vette. I just stopped at Auto Zone and thought I could quickly pick up a new light and replace it. Found myself somewhat mystified over how to get to the center tail light. Any suggestions?..........................th ks, BJ98 
Last edited by BJ98; Mar 23, 2005 at 11:04 PM. Reason: Highlight
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From: Litchfield Park Arizona
Originally Posted by MyVetteDream
You mean your 3rd brake light? Isn't that LED's?
Le Mans Master
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From: South Alabama
Originally Posted by BJ98
The center tail light just went out on my 98 Vette. I just stopped at Auto Zone and thought I could quickly pick up a new light and replace it.
The CHMSL is a sealed unit you'll have to get from a dealer or a place that handles GM parts. LEDs are Light Emitting Diodes.
Here's a pic of an "opened" unit from GB's website while a camera was being installed...just so you know what one looks like on the inside.
Last edited by Cajun99; Mar 23, 2005 at 11:35 PM.
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
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Originally Posted by Cajun99
Don't bother with AutoZone or any other parts place...they won't have what you need.
The CHMSL is a sealed unit you'll have to get from a dealer or a place that handles GM parts. LEDs are Light Emitting Diodes.
The CHMSL is a sealed unit you'll have to get from a dealer or a place that handles GM parts. LEDs are Light Emitting Diodes.
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From: Litchfield Park Arizona
Thanks guys! It's off to the dealer tomorrow. Is the license plate or the tail light the best way to get to it, or does the entire light need to be popped out?............BJ98 
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The thing is that led's are a 20 year device. If the led's aren't lighting up it's probably a switch or connector not the light. My .02 Let us know what you find. I'd put voltage to the unit to see if it lights before buying another one. Keep us posted.
Le Mans Master
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From: South Alabama
To me the easiest way to get to the light is to remove the two inner tail lights and reach in and do it by "feel" although some prefer the slightly more involved route of going in through the license plate assembly.
The center light is removed as an entire sealed unit. Unplug it, remove the mounting nuts and pull the whole thing out.
The center light is removed as an entire sealed unit. Unplug it, remove the mounting nuts and pull the whole thing out.
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Just remove one of the inboard taillights and you have access. 
Racer
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From: Stockton CA
If you can wait at all, and you may not want to, the price from your dealer is going to be around $95.00. The price from GMPartsDirect is about $55. The problem is, they do not ship very fast.
Just food for thought.
Replaced mine recently, with a custom, and either inboard tail light is enough, though I ended up taking both inboard tail lights out, since it made it easier to get to the screws on the 3rd Brake light.
Sempi
Just food for thought.
Replaced mine recently, with a custom, and either inboard tail light is enough, though I ended up taking both inboard tail lights out, since it made it easier to get to the screws on the 3rd Brake light.
Sempi
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From: Houston TX
I agree with the others, LEDs rarely go out. I would look for other problems such as ground, connector or switch issues.
However, I just ran across stop light on e-bay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...963928315&rd=1
BTW, not affiliated with this sale.
However, I just ran across stop light on e-bay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...963928315&rd=1
BTW, not affiliated with this sale.
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Originally Posted by BJ98
Thanks guys! It's off to the dealer tomorrow. Is the license plate or the tail light the best way to get to it, or does the entire light need to be popped out?............BJ98
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You guys on this site are AWESOME !!!!!!!
Originally Posted by Cajun99
Don't bother with AutoZone or any other parts place...they won't have what you need.
The CHMSL is a sealed unit you'll have to get from a dealer or a place that handles GM parts. LEDs are Light Emitting Diodes.
Here's a pic of an "opened" unit from GB's website while a camera was being installed...just so you know what one looks like on the inside.
The CHMSL is a sealed unit you'll have to get from a dealer or a place that handles GM parts. LEDs are Light Emitting Diodes.
Here's a pic of an "opened" unit from GB's website while a camera was being installed...just so you know what one looks like on the inside.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Brookhaven Pa
Usually on LED's they will not burn out all at the same time( as you can see from the photo above the unit is made up of a lot of small bulbs). If the complete unit is not lighting I would suspect another problem.
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From: Litchfield Park Arizona
Well, what I thought would be a quick trip to Auto Zone is turning into an adventure. Unfortunately I don't get the opportunity to get on the internet as often as I'd like (although I just got high speed internat cable this past weekend). Consequently I went out and got me a replacement light. Nonetheless, I plan to do all the tests and if needed I'll return the light I just purchase. I'll let you know how it turns out....BJ98 
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Look in the Parts section ... maybe some one has one you can use. Good luck. Keep us posted