Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

3rd brake light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 18, 2009 | 06:11 PM
  #1  
Bronk's Avatar
Bronk
Thread Starter
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 714
Likes: 251
From: Grand Island, Florida
Default 3rd brake light

My 3rd brake light has stopped working. How do I access the light, and is it sold as a unit or are there replacement bulbs.

Thanks in advance for info.

Bronk
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2009 | 06:13 PM
  #2  
00 Rooster's Avatar
00 Rooster
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 6
From: Oilerville Edmonton
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

unscrew a tail light and get access through the back. I think you can replace the bulb but don't quote me on that.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2009 | 07:36 PM
  #3  
ljthe2nd's Avatar
ljthe2nd
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
Default

Yes you can access the 3rd brake light through a removed tail light, I have done it a couple of times.

There is nothing replaceable on the 3rd brake light. Check to see if you have power to the unit, I doubt that it's burned out because the unit has LED's in it not incandescent bulbs. I would check the fuse or possibly it has come unplugged.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2009 | 10:56 PM
  #4  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,629
Likes: 24,868
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by ljthe2nd
Yes you can access the 3rd brake light through a removed tail light, I have done it a couple of times.

There is nothing replaceable on the 3rd brake light. Check to see if you have power to the unit, I doubt that it's burned out because the unit has LED's in it not incandescent bulbs. I would check the fuse or possibly it has come unplugged.
Good luck, hope you get it fixed.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2009 | 11:03 PM
  #5  
clayton1's Avatar
clayton1
Banned Scam/Spammer
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 3
From: Fort St John B.C
Default


Remove the inner tail light(s), same size T15 Im pretty sure, kinda have to feel around. Could get a small mirror to help see.
And no replaceable bulb.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 06:22 AM
  #6  
Bugaboo's Avatar
Bugaboo
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 945
Likes: 1
From: Tigertown Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by ljthe2nd
Yes you can access the 3rd brake light through a removed tail light, I have done it a couple of times.

There is nothing replaceable on the 3rd brake light. Check to see if you have power to the unit, I doubt that it's burned out because the unit has LED's in it not incandescent bulbs. I would check the fuse or possibly it has come unplugged.
Yep, this is what I'd do
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 07:07 AM
  #7  
jdmvette's Avatar
jdmvette
Night Owl for life
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Shutterbug
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,740
Likes: 4,569
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
Default

what color is your car?
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 10:33 AM
  #8  
Bronk's Avatar
Bronk
Thread Starter
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 714
Likes: 251
From: Grand Island, Florida
Default 3rd Brake Light

Thanks all for the directions and information. I will check to see if it is getting power first. The other brake lights are working OK, so I think the fuse must be OK, assuming that the 3rd light is connected in series from the other lights. Does anyone know if there is a supplier for these lights (assuming that I need replacement) other than the Chevy dealership (although they need the money at this time)? RE: the last post - the color is black.

Thanks again, all - Bronk
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-8

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 12:30 PM
  #9  
Rou-Rou 03's Avatar
Rou-Rou 03
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
Default

check the plug for corrison or it may be loose You can also gain access by removing the rear license plate housing
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 12:45 PM
  #10  
NorCalVette Kid's Avatar
NorCalVette Kid
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 1
From: Oakland Ca
St. Jude Donor '09
Default

Originally Posted by ljthe2nd
Yes you can access the 3rd brake light through a removed tail light, I have done it a couple of times.

There is nothing replaceable on the 3rd brake light. Check to see if you have power to the unit, I doubt that it's burned out because the unit has LED's in it not incandescent bulbs. I would check the fuse or possibly it has come unplugged.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 02:32 PM
  #11  
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

Originally Posted by Bronk
..............Does anyone know if there is a supplier for these lights (assuming that I need replacement) other than the Chevy dealership (although they need the money at this time)?......
There are 2 GM forum vendors here. Save.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 02:41 PM
  #12  
Mike Mercury's Avatar
Mike Mercury
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Default

the CHMSL is LED
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 03:05 PM
  #13  
91LSMAN's Avatar
91LSMAN
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,952
Likes: 451
From: Puyallup WA
Default

The 3rd brake light is held in by two small 7mm bolts that you access by sticking your arm through the two inner taillights:

NOT my picture, but hopefully this helps:



I changed mine this morning.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 03:46 PM
  #14  
Bronk's Avatar
Bronk
Thread Starter
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 714
Likes: 251
From: Grand Island, Florida
Default 3rd Brake Light

Thanks again for all the postings and taking the time to help with a job that, at first, seemed rather daunting, but with your help, it was a "piece of cake". Especially, thank you to 91 LSMAN for the photo; it was a real help, and, I think makes the statement, "a picture is worth a thousand words" more than just a metaphor. Thanks again.

Bronk
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 05:07 PM
  #15  
91LSMAN's Avatar
91LSMAN
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,952
Likes: 451
From: Puyallup WA
Default

Originally Posted by Bronk
Thanks again for all the postings and taking the time to help with a job that, at first, seemed rather daunting, but with your help, it was a "piece of cake". Especially, thank you to 91 LSMAN for the photo; it was a real help, and, I think makes the statement, "a picture is worth a thousand words" more than just a metaphor. Thanks again.

Bronk
No problem. Just passing on the knowlege I have gained from this forum.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 05:34 PM
  #16  
jdmvette's Avatar
jdmvette
Night Owl for life
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Shutterbug
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,740
Likes: 4,569
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
Default

Originally Posted by Bronk
RE: the last post - the color is black.
reason for my asking that is because you can buy a black housing 3rd brake light for the c5 if you like that style.

i had one on my red car but since yours is black, it might look even better.
















otherwise you can just get another stock light and put it in there.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 05:53 PM
  #17  
larrybee's Avatar
larrybee
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 183
Likes: 4
From: Mt. Pleasant PA
Default

a bad brake switch at the pedal will cause this to happen due to not enough volts to lite up all the lites at the same time - happened to me.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 05:54 PM
  #18  
Bronk's Avatar
Bronk
Thread Starter
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 714
Likes: 251
From: Grand Island, Florida
Default

JDMVette, Thanks for the posting and the photos. I really like the looks of that black housing. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get it, and approx. cost.

Bronk
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 06:03 PM
  #19  
jdmvette's Avatar
jdmvette
Night Owl for life
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Shutterbug
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,740
Likes: 4,569
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
Default

Originally Posted by Bronk
JDMVette, Thanks for the posting and the photos. I really like the looks of that black housing. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get it, and approx. cost.

Bronk
this is the cheapest one i could find:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-00...Q5fAccessories

Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 3rd brake light





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:05 AM.

story-0
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-5
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE