Removing 3rd Brake light?

[ydopen]

I am fixna take the 11 to the tint man shortly, is there anyone who has removed there 3rd brake light for tint? if so info or a small write up would be great!!!

[Donald E. George]

On my 04, you place your thumbs along the back of the light about an inch in from the ends and press inward to release the unit. Regards

[BlackCam09]

You have to remove the whole rear deck, thats the only way. You first have to remove the side pillars first to be able to remove the rear deck.

[ydopen]

Thanks, I got in a rush and didnt have time to remove it, so the tint man had to do a cut out for the 3rd brake light,

Im gonna remove the rear deck, paint around the 3rd brake light black and tint the 3rd brake light lense and see if i like it better

[LE05]

Originally Posted by BlackCam09

You have to remove the whole rear deck, thats the only way. You first have to remove the side pillars first to be able to remove the rear deck.

so every time the bulb goes out, you have to remove the whole deck? what a pain! unless you can access the bulb from the trunk...

on the 05, i just slide the third brake light to the left and then pull it out.

[BlackCam09]

When I got my windows tinted, they just tinted the whole back part and didn't cut out the third brake light part. They didn't even ask me and they just did it, I don't mind though because I like it better that way. As for the third brake light they didn't go out because they are L.E.D.s not bulbs, but yes you will have to remove the whole back panel to access the back speakers too.

[Donald E. George]

Remove the panel? I don't think so. That housing will come of some way without going through all the effort to remove the panel. Someone with an 11 who has changed out the bulb tell us you have to remove the panel. Regards

[Luna2]

Hey, they are not individual bulbs in the Gen6, 6.5 & 7.
They are four individual LED lamps mounted in a single housing.
You will have to replace the whole assembly, hence no easy way to maintain them.
They are supposed to last a very long time.

[LE05]

^ even so, LED's don't last forever. what a stupid design, lol. more money for the dealership come replacement time i guess!

[Luna2]

Originally Posted by LE05

^ even so, LED's don't last forever. what a stupid design, lol. more money for the dealership come replacement time i guess!

Here is a thought...
Just what would be the result if just one of the tail/stop/3rd. brake light LED's were dead when you went for a state inspection?

Rejection?

Replace the whole assembly?

[BlackCam09]

Originally Posted by Donald E. George

Remove the panel? I don't think so. That housing will come of some way without going through all the effort to remove the panel. Someone with an 11 who has changed out the bulb tell us you have to remove the panel. Regards

Its attached to the whole rear panel, I know because I removed the rear panel to replace my stock speakers with aftermarket speakers. I'm sure the 2011 is the same as the 09s Like I said before its not bulbs, its L.E.D.S.