Hi Guys,

I have checked my third brake light and it has no power going to the end contacts where it hits the bulb with a test light(Regular brake lights work fine). I checked the wires before the pigtail at the end of the headliner and didn't have any power there either when hitting the brakes.

So my question is. Where does the third brake light wire run. I know it goes though the head liner to the front of the car but then to where? I don't want to take off the head liner. Where do these wires run to? Is there anything else I can check for?

 

The wire should start underneath the driver side kick panel with four wires, run up the windshield pillar, across the top of the windshield to the middle, and then straight back. You want to play with the yellow wire i beleive. The gray wire is for the illumination light that is in your mirror, and i can't remember what the other two are, maybe orange and black for power to the rear view mirror for the map lights.

 

Thanks for the help. At the end of the wires by the TBL they are yellow and black. I was thinking yellow was power and black was ground? I will take a look by the kick panel tonight to see if I see anything weird there.

Just to check....One fuse for all brake lights correct?

 

Yellow is power, and black should be ground. Not sure on fuses, been a while since i've looked at the schematics, but you can find the schematics for 91/92 on www.austinthirdgen.org tech articles. There should be a schematic for the fuse panel.

 

Ok well I did some more testing. Found a 4 wire pigtail down by the hood release by the drivers feet with a yellow wire. I see this wire running up the a pillar. im 99% percent sure this is the wire for the third brake light. I seperate the pigtail and put the testlight in the slot for the yellow wire and nothing when I hit the brakes. Normal brake lights still work fine. So i know its not a problem though the head liner or back. What is up front that when you hit the brakes that powers the third brake light? Looking at a wiring diagram it seems the stops switch controls both? is that possible? any help would be great.

 

that is probably correct and the safety aspect makes it light independently of the rear in case of problems there.
I think I read somewhere that it was the law. I could be wrong. But if I recall correctly it is wired like that for safety.
I been researching tail light tint laws recently and read something about it on a truck forum while following links.
Hope this helps clarify. But like I said...I may be wrong and misunderstood what I was reading.

 

Hey man,
I have a 92' RS with the same problem. I looked all over too, It goes into your dome light!! Imagine that! The 20 amp fuse under the dash is what powers the third brake light.

 

So if you blow the accessories fuse will that stop the third brake light from working since the wire runs though the dome light?

Also does the third brake light on a 91,92 requried the hatch to be closed to work or was this with older models?

Thanks

 

the wiring goes right by the dome light, but wiring wise i dont think its on the same fuse. The brake switch should be two different switches within itself, and the third brake light on 91 and 92 will work with the hatch open. Its possible that your brake switch itself is bad. Check the yellow wire output there.

 

Just wanted to let everyone know that the brake light switch was the problem. Once I replaced it my TBL worked.

Thanks for the help

 

ANy one know where i can get the whole 3rd break light fixture and lens for a 1991 convertiable Camaro its been discontinued from GM??

 

you'll have to look at junk yards for them you cannot buy them brand new but i bet you already know that..i have tried looking for one for my 1988 camaro but no luck.

I just need to figure out why mg tbl doesn't work and hopefully this helps me out because it used to work..

 

I still have no clue why my tbl doesn't work..GRR..

 

Does the regular break lights work? If so then it can only be the stop light switch or power is not reaching the hatch. If you have an 88 camaro that metal plate under your hatch has to make contact for the TBL to light up is that is ok you will need a test light to check for power where it enters the light and trace it back from there. Also make sure your wires for the rear defroster are also connected.

 

yes the regular brake lights work. We tried the test light hooked it up to the battery and placed it on the contacts and the 3 of the 5 bulbs lit up but while pushing the brake it doesn't work. My hatch doesn't have a rear defroster and didn't have when I got the car about 5 yrs ago.

 

im wondering if its the wiring that hooks up to the contact!

 

My 1992 Camaro Rs is having a similiar issue, none of my brake lights are working (including the dome light and the trunk opening motor) Also my emergency kill switch has been cut. I would really appreciate it if someone could help me find some wiring schematics.