G-097: 2004 need help. Acura tl 3rd brake light doesn't work

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Old 03-22-2009, 02:32 PM
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G-097: 2004 need help. Acura tl 3rd brake light doesn't work

My third brake light on the rear top windshield isnt working properly. They all work sometimes but then other times when i hit the brake they all dim and 4 of them are almost totally out. Has anyone else ever had this problem? If so what do i do? Please need help.
Old 03-22-2009, 02:44 PM
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this happened to me too...the far left side wasnt working...but now it started to work again..I didnt do anything
Old 03-22-2009, 06:28 PM
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im pretty sure this common, this has happen to me and still is. sometimes it gets bright and then sometimes it dims.

i took it to the mechanic and he say it was in the wiring, not the led. So somewhere in the whole car our wiring is messed up.

I tested the voltage on the lights, when its bright..the recorder shows 12v, when it dims, it show 8v...so clearly there is a mess up in wire somewhere...its not worth removing all the wires to check it.

but the best spot i know where it could happen is the trunk area to the back tailights. im pretty sure opening the trunk many time MIGHT squeeze the wires to the tailight and causing the 3rd brake light to be faulty.

if anyone can fix this, it be awesome.
Old 03-22-2009, 11:58 PM
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Simple fix.... had this problem about 6 months ago - replace the brake sensor.

Part number 36750-SJA-003 --- number 6 on the drawing



If you want I can snap some pics on how it all tears town
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Old 03-23-2009, 08:47 AM
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could u please? im interested in getting it fix!
is it hard to replace it?
Old 03-25-2009, 02:11 AM
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I saw a TL on the freeway the other day with a third brake light that either crapped out or was starting to crap out too. It was some girl driving it too that probably had no idea this was happening...Made me a lil paranoid mine might go out someday too and me not know it....

jnc2000 - please post whatever info you can so we can all check this out on our cars, seems to be happening on 04 models since they are older but eventually 05-08 owners will experience this too so it will be good to know how to fix this.
Old 03-25-2009, 07:30 AM
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Ok snapped some pics for you guys...

This is the switch you'll be looking for.



In order to get to the switch you'll have to remove the access panel from the underside of the dash on the driver side. Pry gently as there are no screws holding this in, just clips.



Once removed, this is what you'll see.



To remove the switch all you have to do is twist gently to the left. It'll only turn about a 1/4 turn and then pop out. Unplug the wiring harness and and swap the bad switch for a good one.



Reinstall the black plastic and you should be back in business.
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Old 03-25-2009, 08:45 AM
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great your awesome!
Old 03-25-2009, 11:47 AM
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Hey thanks!! thats great info!
Old 03-25-2009, 05:28 PM
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works like a charm. this should be in the DIY category because i know people have this problem but they avoid because they aint paranoid like us here. haha

cost 11.28 at the dealership for this piece, took 5 minutes to install.
Old 03-27-2009, 08:30 AM
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Thanks for the help. I bought a brake light switch for about $13.00 from autozone and now they work good as new.
Old 04-04-2009, 03:28 PM
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thank you for this post. it made my big problem into a 2 minute fix. love acurazine!
Old 04-19-2010, 10:15 PM
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THIS IS PURE GENIUS!!!!!! fixed it myself in 1 min after ordering from rockauto.com!! Thanks!
Old 04-20-2010, 07:43 AM
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Good information here, I made a thread about it the other day. I ordered my part at rock auto aswell. Cant wait to change out the switch because Im becoming neverous to drive the car, you don't know who isn't paying attention.
Old 05-17-2010, 12:43 PM
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I just fixed my dim 3rd brake light problems thanks to this DIY!
Old 06-20-2010, 03:44 PM
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Ok I just fixed my 3rd brake like in like 2 minutes!! Thanks for the great pictures and info!
Old 07-09-2010, 07:36 AM
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Mine just came in the mail. My fingers are crossed that this fixes my flickery brake lights.
Old 08-16-2010, 01:19 PM
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ive been having the same problem. i think i found the part at autozone.. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...er=363566_0_0_

is that it?
Old 08-16-2010, 01:39 PM
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Does this...


Look like this?


By golly, I think you found a winner!!!!!!!111111111111111
Old 08-16-2010, 04:08 PM
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..thanks.
Old 08-19-2010, 11:21 AM
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Thumbs up Dimming Brake light and 3rd brake light "out"

I brought in my TL to local Acura dealer to address a dimmed brake light as well as the 3rd brake light which looked burned out.

They did their diagnostics and stated that the lamp capsule is not illuminated by a series of bulbs but instead employs a L.E.D. set up. Special order replacement is required. Their quote was over $300.

I followed the thread in this DIY forum, ordered the $12 part as suggested and the brake lights now work great.

Thanks DIY for saving me a "whack of cash"!!
Old 08-19-2010, 11:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Danronian
Mine just came in the mail. My fingers are crossed that this fixes my flickery brake lights.
After a little adjusting I had it installed in a few minutes and working within 10. Went from a flickery light to working 100% with just this little switch.
Old 10-22-2010, 04:01 PM
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Wow! Amazing!

I can't believe I have finally fixed this! I had complaint about this for over two years with the dealer to no avails. They first claim it was the high mount stop light and quoted me for $240. I then detected the problem with voltage and told them I could make the voltage varies simply by how I press the brake pedal. Stupid dealer charged me $50 for the investigation and still insisted there is nothing around the pedal that could have caused this problem. Mechanics at my dealership are morons. Thank God for this forum! Hurray!
Old 11-09-2010, 09:13 PM
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Fixed!

Thank to jnc2000's pics/guide, I just replaced the switch and it's working great!
Old 02-03-2011, 09:41 AM
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Awesome thread. I'm about to buy the same switch and hope it fixes my 3rd brake light issue as well.
Old 02-05-2011, 04:34 PM
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Worked like a charm!

2 things I wanna mention: The part number got updated to 36750-SJA-013, but you can still give them 36750-SJA-003 because it will show that old and new part number in their system.
Also, I checked autozone and they said their part won't work for the TL, then again I never tried it

Thanks again for the DIY
Old 02-05-2011, 04:40 PM
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Can I ask a really dumb question...

How do you guys know that your 3rd brake light is dim? Another friend driving behind you telling you?
Old 02-05-2011, 05:03 PM
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A coworker was driving behind me one day and said it was very dim so I got home and asked a friend while I was parked and sure enough it wasn't working at all. Which is what you can do, just ask someone to look when you step on the brake.
Old 03-20-2011, 04:23 AM
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Dealer Quoted me $190 today

The other day I was backing out of a parking lot and realized that my third light was dim when I saw it in the store's reflective glass.

Went in for my B2 service today and asked them to take a look at it, I was told it was the brake light switch and it would cost $190, but he could do it for $130. I'd have to wait for the part tho.

I think I'll try to replace the switch myself and see how it works out.

to be continued...
Old 03-20-2011, 07:58 AM
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I went to the Honda dealer where I get all of my work done, bought the part for $13 and had one of the service writers install it for me for free!! In and out in less than 5 minutes for $13!! The quote that you got for $190, discounted to $130, is BS in my opinion. The DYI's above show how easy it is. Good Luck!
Old 03-20-2011, 06:55 PM
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guys... its 8 bucks at autozone.. i had the exact problem..the diagram above (post #7) shows exactly where it is..it should take you no longer than 5 minutes to take out the old one and put in the new..
Old 03-21-2011, 09:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Bwatson3
guys... its 8 bucks at autozone.. i had the exact problem..the diagram above (post #7) shows exactly where it is..it should take you no longer than 5 minutes to take out the old one and put in the new..
qftt
Old 03-21-2011, 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by jnc2000
qftt
one of these days i need to figure out all the shorthand lingo on here..what is qftt..? I hope its good..!


i see FML on here alot too..what does that mean..?

anyway... hope the 3rd brake light issue gets resolved..
Old 03-21-2011, 07:12 PM
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qftt
quoted for the truth
fml
f*ck my life



no worrys on the short hand...
Old 03-30-2011, 10:55 PM
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just did this today on my 04. Lights are so much brighter now! before the third brake light's 4 right most LEDs were dimmer than the rest, and the entire light was just dim. Researched azine and bam

got a switch from an acura dealer who price matched acuraoemparts. got it for 11.8! I went to autozone and they would've had to special order for 31 bucks wtf! Anyways, 11 bucks is not bad for a japanese switch.

Thank you azine!
Old 04-02-2011, 03:27 PM
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Did it in 18 minutes flat. Cant believe the dealer wanted me to give them $200 for the pleasure of installing this $13 part.
Old 04-10-2011, 08:56 AM
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I just looked it up on Autozone's web site. Duralast part SW6271 $31
Old 05-03-2011, 10:21 AM
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Just bought my 04 TL last Thursday, and noticed the 3rd brake light wasn't working 100%. I'll give this a try as soon as I can get the part. Thanks!
Old 07-25-2011, 04:58 PM
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My center brake light was becoming dim. I figured i would give this a try since the dealership wanted to charge me $140 to replace the led. I swapped the part out and the light is bright again.

Thanks
Old 08-01-2011, 09:34 PM
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BWD - Brake Light Switch Part #SL2092

10 bucks at oreilly auto parts that's the cheapest I could find locally


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