Third brake light troubles...

[BigWill]

Hello all...I have done searches on this site in both the G35 and Tech forums sections with no luck. I am guessing that this problem doesn't happen very often. Recently I was told that my third brake light was not coming on during braking, so I pulled the light pod, and turned it around to look at it while I depressed the brake. The light does come on, but is very dim, and is flickering. The bulbs are hard soldered to a circuit board, so it looks to me like a replacement of the complete pod is necessary. I've tried to find one online with no luck either. Anyone know of a place besides the dealer, to get this?

Thanks in advance.

Bill

[BigWill]

Not one person out there with any ideas?? Come on guys! I got one suggestion on the Tech forum that was a dead end.

Oh, and thanks to Maxnix, (Brian), for the reply over there!
Modified by BigWill at 4:31 PM 12/9/2006

[C-Kwik]

Before replacing the unit, I'd make sure you are getting enough current to the lights themselves and that the ground is in good shape. LED's are pretty reliable and if all are doing the same thing, then there is probably a problem that affects all the diodes. You might check the traces on the circuit board to make sure there is nothing wrong with those either.

[BigWill]

That's a good point... thanks C-K!

[g_ride]

when i first bought my car a few of the leds were out in mine i had to take it to the dealership to get it fixed they had my car for like 3 days to fix that stupid brake light they said it was a pain to replace it

[infinititech1]

replace the 3rd brake light

sedans are a beoytch to do cause you have to do alot more than the coupe...the coupe ones just pop off

[Q451990]

infinititech,

Is this a common issue? LED lighting - if designed properly - should last the life of the car. If it's common, has Nissan released a revised part? Typically LEDs are only killed by overheating from a bad design of the board or enclosure...

Heath

[infinititech1]

i've seen leds out on spoilers...i've only seen 3rd brake lights go completely out.......

[BigWill]

i've seen leds out on spoilers...i've only seen 3rd brake lights go completely out.......

FYI for all...

There was one LED bulb that was out, causing problems with the rest. I got the whole unit replaced three days ago when I had the car in for a routine service. ($179.00, a dealer-only part). The dealer had them in stock. My mech. said that there is a known problem with these lights... that is why they were in stock. It is working just fine now.

By the way... if anyone in the LA, or OC area in So Cal is looking for a good, honest, thorough, resonable, independent mechanic... S&D Nissan in Anaheim. My Dad, my son, my brother and I have all been going to these two guys for quite a few years now, and have always been very satisfied.

Thanks again to everyone who responded for all the help!

Bill

[C-Kwik]

Interesting. Sounds like it must be wired in series rather than parallel. From a safety standpoint, you would think it would have been done in parallel...