05 suburban brake light

Is there any way to dissassemble and replace the light bulbs in the upper "3rd" brake light. i have a tailgate not the barn doors. that brake light does not work at all.

I would bet that your problem is wiring and/or fuse related. Check that stuff out if you do change the bulbs and they still don't function.

Checked and get 12 vdc at the plug when brakes are pressed. Ground wire checks good. Must be light assembly. I don't see any way to change the bulbs out without destroying light. The cheapest I found a new light for as approx $114.00 + ship on the internet.

The cheapest I found a new light for as approx $114.00 + ship on the internet.
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Be sure to check on Ebay too. I bought a used tail light assembly for an '06 Suburban that was "like new" for $20 plus $8 shipping. I think the OEM dealer price was over $200. The light you are looking for might just be available.

I took a look at Ebay under "Suburban third light".....check it out:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R10&satitle=Suburban+third+light&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&fmmk=&fmmd=&fylo=&fyhi=&mppfqy=Suburban+third+light&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=92253&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=

Looks like there is no inexpensive way to get this light working. It is rediculous that a simple led light would cost that much. Thanks for you help, I will check ebay periodically in hopes of finding a deal. Am also calling local salvage yards, no luck yet.

I agree that it is ridiculous that you have to replace the entire brake light unit....but that's how the manufacturers are making more profit theses days. They make you replace an entire section.....instead of repairing anything. That goes for electrical and mechanical. Wait until you have to replace the fuel pump or filter on your vehicle (Tahoe, Suburban, etc). The pump/filter is located INSIDE the gas tank which means you have to pull the tank and replace the entire fuel unit. Dealers are charging between $850 and $1K to do the job!!!

ok.. i have an 01 suburban and my right side brake light went out. i searched the web for some anwers as to how i might replace the bulb. that brief search led me to this forum and to the suggsetion that the entire tail light assembly must be replaced. I had already replaced the bulb (only) of the front running lights and was convinced that replacing the brake light would be just as simple. it is. simply open the lift gate or barn doors and remove the two phillips head screws along the inside of the gate (they are right there, just inside) you need to nudge the whole tail light assembly straight out towards the rear. (there are plastic pins that you'll break if you try yanking it out to the side) I had to jockey mine a little but it just popped into my hand once the pins cleared. Once you have it out, you will see the three wire harnesses (directional signal, back-up and brake) and bulb assemblies that are plugged into the entire tail light housing. squeeze the arm on the plug in question and turn counter-clockwise.. the bulb assembly will pop out and you can easily pull the bad bulb and replace with a new one. I think I paid $5 for two new bulbs at Kragen. Good luck. and thanks for the forum..

Yup, the third brake light is only serviced as a whole piece. If you have the ability, you could trouble shoot the circuit board, usually the diode or one of the other main pieces on the board go bad, not all the lights at once. Just a diode or resistor which are right on the end where the electrical plug is. That is if you can separate the light assembly without breaking it.

Make sure when you put in any new light bulbs, (front day running, brake, turn) with the thin edge with 2 to 4 little wires, you apply dielectric grease to the end that pushes into the socket. Normally the end on the bulb melts or the contact wires get a pit mark from arcing right at the contact wires due to heat. With the grease, it will help keep the bulb from overheating. Also try to find new bulbs with the glass all the way down, some have plastic at the base and GM came out with documentation stating the bulbs with plastic were more prone to melting. Hope this helps.