3rd Brake Light C5
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Sevierville TN
Easy to do. No bulb...it's an LED. Remove the two inner tail lights to gain access and reach behind to locate the 3rd brake light. Two small bolts/screws hold it in place. Be sure to unhook the light before yanking it out. Reverse steps to re-install.
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,699
Likes: 4,542
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
you can also remove it with only removing one inner tail light.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
This pic may help
Third Brake Light Replacement
Remove one of the tail lamps
You can get to the 3rd brake lamp unit through the tail light opening
Disconnect the electrical connector from the stop lamp
Remove the screws holding the lamp to the rear fascia
Take out the old lamp
Fit the new lamp in the rear fascia housing
Loosely fit the screws
Align the new lamp
Tighten the screws
Reconnect the electrical connector
Reinstall the tail lamp
Third Brake Light Replacement
Remove one of the tail lamps
You can get to the 3rd brake lamp unit through the tail light opening
Disconnect the electrical connector from the stop lamp
Remove the screws holding the lamp to the rear fascia
Take out the old lamp
Fit the new lamp in the rear fascia housing
Loosely fit the screws
Align the new lamp
Tighten the screws
Reconnect the electrical connector
Reinstall the tail lamp
Last edited by DeeGee; Dec 9, 2010 at 02:49 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,744
Likes: 3,670
From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Does anyone know whether there is a brighter 3rd brake light LED option available? I know the OEM light is LED, however I installed the LED Halo tail lights and now my OEM 3rd brake light seems dim in comparison.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Sevierville TN
The two screws do face down and you can't see them either...just got to go at it by feeling your way around. Hand tighten them back in place when replacing them to make it easier, then bolt them back up. MSG, I haven't seen a brighter third brake light on the market. I never noticed that the third brake light was dimmer than the OE tail lights until I replaced them with the LEDs. I agree that the 3rd brake light now appears a lot less bright.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Newark, DE
St. Jude Donor '06
Another consideration is if you drop the torx driver, you'll have to remove the license assembly anyway to get it.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,539
Likes: 886
From: Republic of Texas
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CORVE...Q5fAccessories
A quick shot of transparent red paint and it should match exactly.
