Third brake light question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,654
Likes: 3
From: Florida
Third brake light question
Sunday I stopped by Auto Zone to pick up a 3rd brake light bulb or bulbs, not sure how it is set up. Mine are shot. They didn't have any info on the 3rd or high mounted stop light for a 97. The books and computer had nothing.
Any of you guys with parts manuals care to give me the part #? Also how do I change it? Do I go into the inboard tail light?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Any of you guys with parts manuals care to give me the part #? Also how do I change it? Do I go into the inboard tail light?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
They are LED's - no bulbs.
Unless you have the means to replace (solder in) LED's, I believe you have to purchase the entire strip and replace it as a unit. I'm sure it was done this way because of the life expectancy of the LED's - so no cracks about stupid engineering!
Unless you have the means to replace (solder in) LED's, I believe you have to purchase the entire strip and replace it as a unit. I'm sure it was done this way because of the life expectancy of the LED's - so no cracks about stupid engineering!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 58,551
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From: The warm part of Anger Island
St. Jude Donor '09
I'm still certified ASE to deal auto parts by the way.
There's two ways to get the part you need.
1st: go to the stealership and apply for another loan.
2nd: Take the bulb out and take it to the auto store. Most bulbs (even from the factory) have the part number stamped on the brass portion of them or printed on the bulb itself. A majority of the companies that make the bulbs use the same part numbers, in fact. If you take one in to match it, the people at the parts counter can find the exact replacement or find one with the same specs. I used to do this all the time with my customers.
Over the years, GM hasn't deviated too much from what they have been using.
OOPS... just saw sedan's post. If they are LED's.. get a loan.
There's two ways to get the part you need.
1st: go to the stealership and apply for another loan.
2nd: Take the bulb out and take it to the auto store. Most bulbs (even from the factory) have the part number stamped on the brass portion of them or printed on the bulb itself. A majority of the companies that make the bulbs use the same part numbers, in fact. If you take one in to match it, the people at the parts counter can find the exact replacement or find one with the same specs. I used to do this all the time with my customers.
Over the years, GM hasn't deviated too much from what they have been using.
OOPS... just saw sedan's post. If they are LED's.. get a loan.
Last edited by DjCritterus; Mar 27, 2006 at 08:33 PM. Reason: Didn't see the previous post... and Mr. Bacardi isn't being nice.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Cookeville TN
It's not a LED. Just take out the right inside taillight, reach in, twist plug on third brake light, comes right out, pull out bulb. It's just a regular push-in type bulb but I cant remember the number. Any part store or Walmart has it. Pretty simple change. I put a Back-off flasher on mine. Maybe it will help to keep someone from rearending me. Flashes 4 times then stays on for 4 seconds, flashes 4 times and so on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 1
From: South Alabama
Originally Posted by 99vertnbm
It's not a LED. Just take out the right inside taillight, reach in, twist plug on third brake light, comes right out, pull out bulb. It's just a regular push-in type bulb but I cant remember the number. Any part store or Walmart has it. Pretty simple change.
Picture credit to GBVette from his camera install page. This IS the same light assembly that was in my previous C5s too. How about posting a pic of your push-in bulb light
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,174
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From: arlington tx
Originally Posted by 99vertnbm
It's not a LED. Just take out the right inside taillight, reach in, twist plug on third brake light, comes right out, pull out bulb. It's just a regular push-in type bulb but I cant remember the number. Any part store or Walmart has it. Pretty simple change. I put a Back-off flasher on mine. Maybe it will help to keep someone from rearending me. Flashes 4 times then stays on for 4 seconds, flashes 4 times and so on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,404
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From: Lino Lakes, MN _________________________ I Figured out how to do this!
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06
If all of them are out I'd say check your connection.
Being they are LED's I highly doubt they are all shot.
Being they are LED's I highly doubt they are all shot.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Originally Posted by 99vertnbm
It's not a LED. Just take out the right inside taillight, reach in, twist plug on third brake light, comes right out, pull out bulb. It's just a regular push-in type bulb but I cant remember the number. Any part store or Walmart has it. Pretty simple change. I put a Back-off flasher on mine. Maybe it will help to keep someone from rearending me. Flashes 4 times then stays on for 4 seconds, flashes 4 times and so on.
huh ???
I know for certain that 2001 and newer are LED, cause I seen it with my own eyes.
I thought the CHMSL was LED even on the 1997 C5; but can only personally attest to 2001 and newer.
Changing the individual LED's is a chore, as the unit is sealed... one piece. Not make to be taken apart and serviced.
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Bill, If I can borrow the pic you posted...
the circled area is the most vunerable part of the C5 CHMSL. Those electrical "pins" are not metal pins... but extensions of the circuit board material of which the LEDs are soldered to. Being of that material, then will break off very easliy with any side loading. So be careful when plugging and unplugging the connector to the CHMSL.
(don't ask me how I know this
)
the circled area is the most vunerable part of the C5 CHMSL. Those electrical "pins" are not metal pins... but extensions of the circuit board material of which the LEDs are soldered to. Being of that material, then will break off very easliy with any side loading. So be careful when plugging and unplugging the connector to the CHMSL.
(don't ask me how I know this
)
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by Cajun99
I don't know what kind of third-light is in your car but this is what is in the C5s...and it's not a push-in bulb...it's an LED package that cannot be bought at Wally World or AutoZone.
Picture credit to GBVette from his camera install page. This IS the same light assembly that was in my previous C5s too. How about posting a pic of your push-in bulb light
Picture credit to GBVette from his camera install page. This IS the same light assembly that was in my previous C5s too. How about posting a pic of your push-in bulb light
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Ventura California
I just today recieved my new brake light today, and the LED is built in. Now, how do you replace the whole assembly? Through the taillights? is it a pain in the a$$ or what?
Last edited by gknight; Mar 27, 2006 at 10:58 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Cookeville TN
Mines a '99 and it does NOT have LED. I have changed the bulb twice since I bought it. Maybe the newer C5 has LED but my 99 has a incandesent push in bulb (197 I think). I will get a photo tomorrow, for the nonbelievers.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: When all is said and done... there is a hell of a lot more said than done. Riverside,Texas
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
Call Gene@Karshop - get the whole thing in the neighborhood of $35 - $40. Remove an inside taillite, unplug the connector in the center, and loosen 2 nuts and you good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
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From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Originally Posted by 99vertnbm
Mines a '99 and it does NOT have LED. I have changed the bulb twice since I bought it. Maybe the newer C5 has LED but my 99 has a incandesent push in bulb (197 I think). I will get a photo tomorrow, for the nonbelievers.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 302
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Originally Posted by C5VetteLS1
97 thru 04 all have the same sealed LED units. Just go in through one of your inboard taillights with a 7mm socket and remove.
I just want to know how he got his camera in there ????
Must have borrowed one from his proctologist.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 0
From: arlington tx
Originally Posted by 99vertnbm
Mines a '99 and it does NOT have LED. I have changed the bulb twice since I bought it. Maybe the newer C5 has LED but my 99 has a incandesent push in bulb (197 I think). I will get a photo tomorrow, for the nonbelievers.
