third brake light 2006 avalon - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Black Knight · 10-02-2011, 09:37 PM

Is the only place I will be able to find the replacement LED/LED assy at the dealer? So far all the local part stores don't show anything listed for a 3rd brake light for an 05+ Avalon.

grandpapa · 10-02-2011, 10:39 PM

Yes

inov8 · 10-03-2011, 07:37 AM

Try the discount factory parts suppliers (which are usually actually the parts depeartment of a dealer). The entire assembly is listed at $85 at Toyota-parts.com, and comes in 4 different colors.

An alternative is to disassemble the defective assembly and attempt to replace the LEDs yourself. They are probably soldered to a board.

Black Knight · 10-06-2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inov8

Try the discount factory parts suppliers (which are usually actually the parts depeartment of a dealer). The entire assembly is listed at $85 at Toyota-parts.com, and comes in 4 different colors.

An alternative is to disassemble the defective assembly and attempt to replace the LEDs yourself. They are probably soldered to a board.

Whacking it seems to make it work for a while so this weekend I am going to remove the rear deck and take a look to see if it's a connector or some other reason why it loses connection.

grandpapa · 10-06-2011, 11:57 AM

a few of us has the 3rd brake light problem. On our 06, it came on/off. One time the body shop guy help fixed it while repainting our rear bumper. But after a while, same thing.

One problem for me was there wasn't much info on how to get to the 3rd light. It seems like you have to pull a lot of part out in order to get the light out. I never got the chance to fix it as I totaled my 06. Now our 05, so far I don't have the 3rd brake light issue.

I hope you can get it fix.

dl6917 · 10-19-2011, 07:27 PM

Take the assembly apart and you will likely find cold-solder joints causing the intermittent operation. Fixed my '05 Avalon for next to nothing. if you are not handy with a soldering iron you can take it to any electronic repair shop and have them do it, too.

grandpapa · 10-20-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dl6917

Take the assembly apart and you will likely find cold-solder joints causing the intermittent operation. Fixed my '05 Avalon for next to nothing. if you are not handy with a soldering iron you can take it to any electronic repair shop and have them do it, too.

How to get to the 3rd brake light.
I still don't know how. Do you have to remove the rear seat? or the rear deck? if so, really need the "how to " part

coontai · 11-09-2011, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dl6917

Take the assembly apart and you will likely find cold-solder joints causing the intermittent operation. Fixed my '05 Avalon for next to nothing. if you are not handy with a soldering iron you can take it to any electronic repair shop and have them do it, too.

yeah same problem with my 4runner digital clock. After pulling out 3 times there were a tiny barely visible crack on the solder joints of resitors. Works great ever since!

racerex · 11-15-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandpapa

How to get to the 3rd brake light.
I still don't know how. Do you have to remove the rear seat? or the rear deck? if so, really need the "how to " part

+1. If you follow the procedure listed in the shop manual, you have to remove the rear seat and panels. I had my dealer give me price to replace it and it was crazy expensive....all labor. I actually got it replaced 3 days before my extended warranty expired. Bolts are not covered, but it turn out the LED's are.....I have to call Toyota NA to get them to okay the work before the dealership would do the work, because they kept telluing that it was not covered.

I had to wonder with the designers did not think ahead make an easy access panel from the trunk????

95silverspruce · 12-17-2011, 04:03 PM

At the dealer, they were not clear on how to get to the high mount. They said I would have to leave it another time and quoted me $400 or so for all the labor needed to take out the back seat. That was six months ago or so and I am still living with the intermittent light. I go back for my 50k service soon, and do not want to get taken. Is that the only way to get to this light? I can't believe this is happening with a 2007. My 1995 has never had a problem with the high mount light.