center high brake light

'00 nbs the center high brake light thats above the glass cargo window stopped along with the left brake light. i looked up the correct bulbs in the parts manual for the left and center and bought them. i replaced the left and it worked. then i unscrewed the high center light and it looked like it was all 1 piece. with a sinlge plug that powered all the little bulbs inside. WTF! do i have to buy the whole assembly? from the dealer no less? i assume that would be quite a bit more than the cost of a bulb or two! and ideas for aftermarket stuff that wont cost an arm and a leg? ...or am i just too blind to see how to disassemble it?

No its one assembly and it will run ya a few hundred dollars from the dealer.

You should be able to get the LED (all the little bulbs) assembly from a local parts store rather than the dealer. Before you buy one check for power and ground at the plug. Another option is to check out wrecking yards.

You should be able to get the LED (all the little bulbs) assembly from a local parts store rather than the dealer. Before you buy one check for power and ground at the plug. Another option is to check out wrecking yards.


as far as i can see theres no way to disassemble the thing. all the seams look thermally fused. theres no screws or mechanical fasteners holding it shut so i see no way of removing or installing new bulbs/leds.

i'll have to check a junk yard i guess. i was afraid of the dealer $$$$$$$$$ thing. thats not gonna happen.

thanks guys

as far as i can see theres no way to disassemble the thing. all the seams look thermally fused. theres no screws or mechanical fasteners holding it shut so i see no way of removing or installing new bulbs/leds.

i'll have to check a junk yard i guess. i was afraid of the dealer $$$$$$$$$ thing. thats not gonna happen.

thanks guys

are you sure there is power going to this ? Led lamps last a very long time....

you can buy led lamps at advance auto these have the resistor in series for 12volt use...radio shack has led lamps but you would need to install a 530 ohm resistor in series with each led to prootect from burn ing it up...

I would use a soldering iron and melt into the lamp body for access...if possible I would solder in a 12volt bulb...then use sealant to reinstall...

It's a sealed unit.Mine didn't last that long on my 01 Hoe. I bought mine off Ebay for around $55.00,you can go that route or salvage yard. The dealer is too expensive.In all reality,the unit should last a long time.But not always the case. I think it is refer to as the "Third Brake Light".

are you sure there is power going to this ? Led lamps last a very long time....

We replace them about as often as the DRL bulbs get replaced. They go bad a lot more often than they should. The explorers had a similar assembly for there third brake light and that thing failed a lot also.

It's a sealed unit.Mine didn't last that long on my 01 Hoe. I bought mine off Ebay for around $55.00,you can go that route or salvage yard. The dealer is too expensive.In all reality,the unit should last a long time.But not always the case. I think it is refer to as the "Third Brake Light".


jthomp...how was the quality on your ebay bought one? i'm guessing it was aftermarket rather than factory gm? i think i'll try ebay for a new one rather than doing any LED surgery, as i'm not too keen on electrical work. the $50 neighborhood is alot easier to handle than in the hundreds.

thanks guys for your feedback.

The light was a AC Delco part,just used.I had it for six years now, no problem. It may cost more or less now. I don't know.Just refer to it as a AC Delco or (year)Tahoe Third Brake Light when looking.I don't think you will find original OEM other than aftermarket new on Ebay,but you may.Easy change out,good luck. Let us know how you make out...

We replace them about as often as the DRL bulbs get replaced. They go bad a lot more often than they should. The explorers had a similar assembly for there third brake light and that thing failed a lot also.


the led lamps used on transportation vehicles I work on, have led failures ,,,,these are caused by water entering the lamp fixture ,,then it damages the circuits..prior to installing any of these fixtures seal the fixture seams with a high quality clear sealant...I have had to do this on the standard lamps as moisture eventually gets in there,,,then the socket goes to hell....

when LED's are properly setup they will last well over 10,ooohrs...and they use only a few milliamps not amps...

just found one on ebay. its a new led light, i'm guessing its aftermarket but its only $60 with free shipping. we'll see how it is when it arrives.

the led lamps used on transportation vehicles I work on, have led failures ,,,,these are caused by water entering the lamp fixture ,,then it damages the circuits..prior to installing any of these fixtures seal the fixture seams with a high quality clear sealant...I have had to do this on the standard lamps as moisture eventually gets in there,,,then the socket goes to hell....


after looking closely at the old one, thats exactly what happened. theres lots of condensation and on the inside. i'm not sure how it got in since the case appears to be in good shape with no cracks or anything. in any case it crapped out.

anyways, the new one i bought off ebay went in just as easy as the old one came out and lit right up. that that was a quick easy fix for $60 ebay dollars compared to a couple hundred dealership dollars. hopefully it will hold up for some time, but i'll have to wait and see.

thanks for everyones feedback

after looking closely at the old one, thats exactly what happened. theres lots of condensation and on the inside. i'm not sure how it got in since the case appears to be in good shape with no cracks or anything. in any case it crapped out.

anyways, the new one i bought off ebay went in just as easy as the old one came out and lit right up. that that was a quick easy fix for $60 ebay dollars compared to a couple hundred dealership dollars. hopefully it will hold up for some time, but i'll have to wait and see.

thanks for everyones feedback

thanks for the feedback...perhaps others will read this and seal those expensive LEDS..

My question has to do with the "quick change out". I cant get the old one out. Unscrewed the assembly and it comes right up but the cord doesnt come through. How do I access the plug?

My question has to do with the "quick change out". I cant get the old one out. Unscrewed the assembly and it comes right up but the cord doesnt come through. How do I access the plug?


theres a weather tight connector thats stuffed down the opening. try to jiggle it to get it up. you might have to push it back in a bit then a gentle tug to work it out. mine took a few minutes of wigglin' and jigglin' but it finally came out. just dont pull too hard.

also, check on amazon too. i found the same thing for $50, unfortunately i waited until i replaced mine to check there. lol