mis3

I noticed that everytime I use the smart key to pop the trunk, there is a noise inside the trunk lid. Pretty sure it's not the springs because there is no noise if I open it with my hand. I guess the swing of lid causes something inside to move (???).

Seems like something loose inside the trunk lid. What components are inside this trunk lid? Is it easy to remove the lining?

Rudeney

Pull the paneling off the inside of the lid and check. There the latch, its components, and the center brake light.

mis3

Just pull? Are there any clips, screws holding the panel in place?

Patton001

yes, take out the plastic rivets etc. I would bet the 3rd brake light is broken .

mis3

Yes, it was indeed the 3rd brake light.

I removed all 12 plastic rivets to remove the lining. I could see the back housing with the LED together with the metal bracket was dangling only by the electric cable. Close examination revealed that the front plate (red) was broken from the back. Some of the LED also came off.

So, I removed the 2 lock nuts of the bracket and took out the back housing. I used Krazy Glue to attach the front plate to the back housing. Put everything back and all seem to be working now.

I also used scotch tape to wrap around some of the LED to the back housing. Hope these LED do not heat up too much.

Patton001

I would start shopping for a replacement on ebay. Repairs didn't hold for me and a new one was only about $110 USD online.

mis3

Agreed. It's holding now but it will break again with some trunk slamming. The front plate is old and getting brittle. I will call the dealership tomorrow. I bet it's $300CAN.

mis3

I finally got the malfunction of "3rd brake light" today.

Before I order the new parts (2098201056), I should check the fuse. Where is the fuse for this brake light?

mis3

I checked the price of this "High mounted stop light". It is $200CAN in Toront and there is an additional $26 sales tax.

Parts.com is $102US.

Rudeney

I fixed mine. I removed it, then used a sharp blade to cut it apart, expecting to find some weal solders, but all seemed fine. I put it back together (resealed the two halves of the lens with silicon, and replaced it. Worked for years after that.

mis3

Is there a fuse for this light? I should check first before ordering a new parts.

Rudeney

No fuse - controlled electronically via the rear SAM.

mis3

Thanks. Guess I will have to order the part.

eteller

Amazon has the OEM light for $109 Prime.

mis3

Thanks for the tips. However, I am in Toronto and it is not easy to order from US. There will be a few fees to be added: exchange rate, shipping, tax and custom. When I am done with it, I will be lucky to save $20. Then exchange will be an challenge.

I drove the car today for maybe an hour (stopped twice). There was no more malfunction. I also checked and all the LEDs were turned on when brakes were engaged. I had the malfunction yesterday amd not sure if this was related to the heavy rainfall at the time.

sailorben

If the rainfall was correlative in presenting a malfunction, then the brake light is defective. Regardless of rain or not. Might be worth maybe getting the unit out and trying to seal the edges with a thin smear of silicone. Might give it some longevity.

mis3

Good idea. Not sure if it was related but I will definitely use silicon if the malfunction comes back.

sailorben

Just ensure you dry it out first