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05 third brake light ALWAYS GOES BAD!

9.9K views 14 replies 7 participants last post by  Rivelite  
#1 ·
This is my 3rd third brake light on my 05 . It’s driving me nuts that the lights always go out within a year. Tried eBay and Amazon and they only sell used ones for like 350 or so. And I can’t seem to find any aftermarket ones. Does anyone know if a company makes an aftermarket one for a decent price. I would just take it off but the holes in the glass don’t look good nor would stop water from getting in. I don’t understand how when I search for these all that come up are Tahoe, Yukon, and suburban ones those little bitty ones come after market why can’t mine?
 
#2 ·
I paid about $300 for a new 3rd brake light for my 2006 Escalade at my Chevy dealer part department and it has been going strong for about 4 years now. My third brake light was bad when I bought my Escalade used, but I did not notice it until someone brought it to my attention..


Therefore, I would just buy a new brake light and call it a day. Most used ones will probably be on its last legs when buy it and fail soon which means you have buy another one anyway and do not save any money.
 
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#3 ·
 
#5 · (Edited)
Do not seem like anyone makes aftermarket high-mount brake light units for our SUV. You will have to tint your current one if you repair the unit it seems or tint a new one if you replace it.

Rock Auto sells the OEM brake light for $350, not cheap but it seems to be about what it worth to replace it. Buying used ones and repairing the old one will be cheaper, but I do not know how long they will last. The brake light repair link listed above seem to suggest that the GM dealers do not sell the brake lights any more which is wrong. However, stock may be limited to what is available in warehouse as no new ones will be made.

The units may be easy to repair if it is only a failed electrical component like a resistor or relay. I will try to repair the current brake light myself I have now if it fails again.

Here is the part number for OEM brake light.
 
#9 ·
Mine got ripped off in a car wash last week.
To be fair, one end had popped up and I forgot about it.

I possibly found a used one from a friend.
If that doesn't pan out, I will ripping mine apart and fitting LEDs in there.
I can't see dumping $350 into a 3rd brake light for a 15 yo truck that is rusting with 212,xxx miles..
 
#11 ·
I have been worried about mine ripping off in the carwash as well as I have one side that is popped up. Tried searching for the screw and all I can come up with is a 3rd brake light bolt screws 1" T15 Retainer OEM for 50 bucks. I can't imagine that this is a specialty screw and I may just go to the hardware store. Has anyone one else tried replacing a lost screw?