Hey guys,



One of my friends called to inform me that my third brake light had some bulbs out. I went to the dealer and bought 3 new bulbs yesterday.

While switching the bulbs, I did confirm that there are 3 bulbs "not working". None of the bulbs are burned out and all 8 bulbs are working correctly (5 in the brake unit + 3 new bulbs just purchased). However, my 3rd brake unit still has only 2 of 5 bulb sockets working.

Does anyone have an idea as to what the problem might be or how to move forward with problem solving? Obviously, the 3rd brake light unit or wiring could be problems.

Anyone in the area willing to let me plug their brake light into my car to see if the issue is wiring? I'm in San Mateo, CA. It takes about 5 minutes to un-plug an interior 3rd brake light.

Backstory : This 3rd brake light unit is an interior brake light from a Lexus 2001 GS300. My car is Lexus 2002 GS430. Originally I had the exterior wing brake light but swapped it for an interior brake light. Not sure if this backstory is necessary or gong to add to the complication of the problem. I was wondering if there was a manufacturing part change between years that may be causing the problem (ie. different wattage, different relay switching, etc). Hence why I could use a volunteer to let me swap my brake light into their car for testing purposes. Its a 5 minute swap that requires no tools.

 

Could you provide a little more clarity around I swapped it for an interior 3rd brakelight? The rear spoiler (if factory installed) would have a relay that is used to elimnate the interior 3rd brakelight, so depending on "how" you swapped it, that could be your issue.

 

Relay. Hm, well I'm not sure how to describe "how" I swapped the 3rd brake lights.

Here's what happened: took my trunk off and put it on another car that didn't have the rear wing; took the trunk from that car and placed it on my car (trunks are now swapped); took the rear interior deck lid from each car and swapped them (including the 3rd brake light unit from the other car); the wiring harnasses were plug and play as every Lex is wired for either an interior or rear wing brake light.

The only problem that could have happened is a part change between the car production years. I'm just not sure what part it is. Anyone local able to let me plug my light into their car to see if its the housing unit?