I have an 86 IROC with the 3rd brake light on top of the hatch. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Usuall works after the car has sat a few days. Then eventually after driving it for a while it stops working. I'm guessing its a short somewhere but not sure where to start. Doesn't blow fuses and bulbs are all ok. Thanks for any help.

 

there are a set of contacts that hang down from the hatch (near the catch assembly) that line up with some metal pads mounted on the rear trim piece (near the hatch pulldown motor), check to make sure they are aligned and making contact with each other. these contact feed power to your third brake light. I found that my hatch pulldown wasn't working and my hatch was not closing all the way, when I adjusted the hatch catch to pull down harder I had no more problem with the third light.

 

How did you adjust the hatch pull down motor to pull harder? Is there some sort of write up on this? I'll check and see when I get home if this is the problem. Thanks.

 

if you remove the rear cargo trim piece you will see the pull-down assembly, there are a few bolts that hold the pulldown in place. mark the current location of the unit then loosen the bolts and slide the whole assembly down a little bit, retighten the bolts and check the hatch, only make small adjustments to the unit at a time, too much may hinder the operation of the pulldown.

 

Is it possible to just tighten the screws up and not move the assembly? Just leave it at the level it is at? That way I can' mess anything up.

 

just tightening the screws won't accomplish anything, you need to move the unit in order for the hatch to come down a little further. just make small (1/4") adjustments at a time and then try the light after each adjustment.

 

I've looked at the contact pad before, never knew what it did. From what I remember, the metal looked kinda dirty, think if I cleaned it with something (any sugg.) that may help as well. Clean both parts of the contact.