Third Brake Light LED Dims

[rcw1202]

I have a 2003 G35, and I noticed the third brake light is sometimes dim. I see this when someone else drives the car and I'm following it. The third brake light sometimes is dim, maybe a third of its normal brightness. The other brakelights are not affected. I noticed this a few weeks ago, and then about a week ago I saw that the lights were functioning normally. Tonight I noticed the third brake light was dim again. This happens regardless if the headlights are on or if the car is in motion.Any suggestions on what could be happening and how I could fix it myself?

[maxhopper]

Moved to the G35 forum.

[infinititech1]

had to replace a couple of those...which are not fun at all to replace...whole back shelf has to come out

[telcoman]

I have a 2003 G35, and I noticed the third brake light is sometimes dim. I see this when someone else drives the car and I'm following it. The third brake light sometimes is dim, maybe a third of its normal brightness. The other brakelights are not affected. I noticed this a few weeks ago, and then about a week ago I saw that the lights were functioning normally. Tonight I noticed the third brake light was dim again. This happens regardless if the headlights are on or if the car is in motion.Any suggestions on what could be happening and how I could fix it myself?

It sounds like a poor or missing ground connection but infinititech's answer probably means a trip to the dealer. If you are out of warranty get estimates from both Ray Catena (their prices are on the high side) and Circle Infiniti which may be a little cheaper?

Telcoman

[apm285]

I have the same problem what part needs to be replaced? Is it the led lamps them selves ?

[Rivalry]

The whole light assembly, looks like.

[infinititech1]

yeah...it comes as one bar of leds

[rcw1202]

I'm contacting Infiniti and expect them to be very little help. In my brief effort to research this problem with the third brake light LED assembly I'm finding other people with the same issue. Aren't LEDs supposed to "last forever"? Isn't that one of their benefits? Perhaps there's a problem inherent in the part. Regardless, it's and expensive repair on the sedan.

I encourage any one else (within the USA) coming across this post with a similar issue to email me at [email protected]. I'm curious to see how widespread the problem is. I'd like to know I'm not the exception to the rule.http://www.infiniti.com/iapps/contactus

Thanks to all. Rob
Modified by rcw1202 at 2:46 PM 1/30/2008

[Joe222]

Can you tell me what was the cause of the third brake light being out. I'm having this problems now and I read that its a diode that needs to be replaced on the tail light assemble. Would really appreciate some info on what actually needs to be replaced.

[johnparkyourcar]

3rd brake light on the spoiler the other one?

[SteveTheTech]

Hey there and welcome to Nico.

Do you have a coupe or sedan? year? (fill in your profile, please)

Depending on the body style the actual replacement of the LED assembly is pretty straight forward. I would recommend replacing the whole led assembly it is not very expensive and unless you can test the internal led circuit and unsolder and replace the effected components replacement is the only option.

I have replaced many of these over the years, it happens after five years of operation, if you have extended warranty it may be covered. It wouldn't surprise me if it were a resistor or diode failure, something to increase the resistance in the circuit enough to effect the available current to the leds, it is not usually a ground issue.

[cheapazz]

Mine too....works most of the time but not at all some of the time. Maybe my subs are causing them to act funny, but it doesn't matter if I have the stereo on or not. HMMM