Hi, my (new to me) 04 convertible seems to have the dim/no 3rd brake light.. did a search on the forum & have a few questions

Will check the wiring volts first to the light & confirm fuse. Is there a spec on how many volts the light needs?

1. If one was to cut the current light apart with a dremel - is there a few pics or video of how this is done?
2. is there recent update on fixes, donor candidates
3. gasket ideas?

I see replacements are still $250-450 & not even sure on some sights how to order the correct colour

 

https://my350z.com/forum/350z-roadst...ake-light.html (go to post 11 if looking for solution without backstory, not advised)

 

Thanks, saw the post about the scion option.

i’m just not clear about which part of the existing light people are cutting into with a dremel cutting wheel to expose the guts ..

are they cutting the clear lens out, or the grey back panel off ?

Cheers

 

Was looking around on YouTube last night for opening brake lights.

Has anyone tried the heat gun method to pull the lens off - as opposed to using a dremel to cut the back off ?

 

I don't believe the 3rd brake light lens is held to the housing with butyl rubber glue. If it is, then you can use a heat gun to soften it and then pry it apart like the headlights. However, if it is secured with permaseal or some other type of adhesive which was never meant to be separated, you'll need something like Morimoto's "permatrator" which is a solvent used to dissolve the sealant.

 

Thanks… was looking a bit more & seems like post 2000 - may be permaseal or plastic welded.

Some options may be back to the dremel cutting wheel or hot knife ?

Is it recommended to cut around the lens or cut the back grey panel off

 

If it were me, I would cut it right at the seam where the lens meets the housing in order to have a clean line to put it back together.