Changing 3rd brake light 1995 Jimmy

[sail978]

Light isn't working and the user's manual says I have to replace the whole unit. I tried loosening the screws on the outside of the unit but they just click and turn and don't come out. What am I doing wrong and where can I get a replacement light. Thanks a lot.

[old_master]

You may have to drop the headliner down and hold the inserts while removing the screws. As far as a replacement, you might try Ebay.

[sail978]

Thanks - hope it's not too hard to drop the headliner. Just bought the truck so I'm not familiar with stuff yet.

[sail978]

The 3rd brake light is on the door and I don't see anyway to get to it from behind. Any other suggestions?

[old_master]

The only other suggestion would be to drill the heads out and remove the light. You'll still have the inserts to contend with though. You might ask a local body shop what they would do before you do anything. Might be a can of worms.

[aukster]

Changed mine out on my 95 here last one. Wasnt that big of a deal. I had to remove the headliner to get the wiring harness to back in but all in all it wasnt that bad. I do hope you can find what you are looking for on ebay. I went ahead and got one from a dealership and it wasnt a pretty sight for my wallet. $107.00 + tax. Good luck.

[sail978]

Actually, I was able to get one from a junk yard for $30. They just have to take it off the car and I'll get it hopefully tomorrow and hopefully it will work. I just can't the old one off. This thing just will not unscrew at all. I don't know if the former owner replace it at one time and glued the screws in. Did you have this problem? How do you remove a headliner from the back of the hatch? Sorry, I've never done this before and I'm very confused.

Any help would be appreciated.

[sheveman]

(This is on a four door, without a full lift gate, if you have the full lift gate the light is mounted differently)

I replaced the brake light on my 95 a couple of years ago and i had the same thing happen to mine on one side only. one of the screws just kept turning and turning but not loosening up. What happens is : the screw threads into a round metal piece that is molded into the rubber that the light is mounted to
and the outside of the piece is knurled to keep it from turning while you tighten or loosen the screw. It breaks loose and just turns along with the screw.


I had to pry my light off and then glue the knurled piece back in to the rubber, and when it dried, the screw threaded back in just fine. Just be careful not to over-tighten it.

It's been OK for a couple of years now.

[sail978]

Thanks for the info. I think that's what I'm going to have to do. What a pain in the butt.