G-097: 2004 need help. Acura tl 3rd brake light doesn't work
Thread Starter
ac user
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: fort myers fl
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.
There's alot of asian in
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 26
From: Dallas/Irving, TX
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.
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.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 115
From: Pittsburgh
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
Part number 36750-SJA-003 --- number 6 on the drawing
If you want I can snap some pics on how it all tears town
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.
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.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 115
From: Pittsburgh
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.
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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There's alot of asian in
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 26
From: Dallas/Irving, TX
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.
cost 11.28 at the dealership for this piece, took 5 minutes to install.
2004 Acura TL
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 8
From: Central Virginia
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.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 145
Likes: 1
From: houston
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?
is that it?
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
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"!!
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"!!
Cruisin'
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario
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!
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
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
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.
7th Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: California, FL, ATL
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...
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...
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
From: Carmel, IN
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!
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 115
From: Pittsburgh
OH-4
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 60
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From: Ohio
the overexplainer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 385
From: OC, CA
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!
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!
