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I took my ILX in to have it tinted last week - left it sitting in the garage afterward while the tint cured. I just drove it again for the first time yesterday, and noticed that the housing for the third/high mount brake light seems to be sagging - it's no longer in contact with the rear window. It's a little annoying, as there's now light leakage down onto the back deck.
I figured just a clip was loose, or not fully seated, or something ... but I pushed and shoved the hell out of it, and nothing seems to be 'clicking home'. So I figured the next step is to pull the housing off and make sure all clips are still in tact, etc.
Has anyone attempted to remove the third brake light housing? Any tips or trick I should know about? I'm a little nervous that I'm just gonna snap the damn thing right off, LOL. Thanks in advance!
I've also been staring at this pic I found of a used third brake light to try to make sure I understand how it all fits together.
It looks like the housing is affixed to the interior roof by those two 'door lining clips', and also affixed to the third brake light by the two 'snap fitting clips'. And then the third brake light itself is affixed to the interior roof by a couple of screws. I'm wondering if I need to get a long flathead screwdriver to spring the two 'snap fitting clips' loose -- I think that should break the link between the housing and the third brake light, so then I can just yank on the two 'door lining clips' until the housing comes loose?
that's a better picture than the diagram.
look at the clips, they are designed to be pulled straight down. that's all you have to do. either wedge something inbetween housing and pry or try pulling straight down on housing
that's a better picture than the diagram.
look at the clips, they are designed to be pulled straight down. that's all you have to do. either wedge something inbetween housing and pry or try pulling straight down on housing
What about these two clips -- don't they 'snap' into place to hold the housing to the third brake light, so I should find a way to 'unsnap' them before I pull straight down on the housing?
they just sorta look like a "wedge" to me. so, it'll wedge itself in and wont back itself out without a little force. the description of #20 is..."Clip, Snap Fitting"
which to me; sounds like the wedge will "snap in" "snap out"
Turned out to be super easy. Pulled straight down on the part of the light cover that was by the headliner, and those two 'door lining' clips popped loose. Next step was to unscrew the two bolts that held the third brake light to the roof. Then unclipped the wiring harness -- the whole piece came right off after that.
Turns out the two little 'hooks' on my third brake light had slipped off the edge of the roof line, making the whole thing sag. Just rehooked 'em, rebolted, reclipped the wiring harness, and it's all good!
11-02-2017, 08:06 AM
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