For some odd reason, all 5 of the bulbs in the thing burned out one after the other. When i got my car inspected last fall the techs told me new replacements were $20 each and I fail to believe that. I did find a crap bulb laying around that doesnt fit and hot glued the bastard in there, so technically I have a "third brake light" and was able to pass inspection with it... but it looks retarded with just one light in there. I was thinking about rigging red LED's in there, but I have questions about how bright they would be or if they work/fit well and where I can find em if they aren't too much cash.

And also, the last bulb on my passenger side tail light went out but I cant figure out it's part number or even how to unplug the bastard.

And since I'm still on the topic of lights, the drivers side directional up front has issues ever since I crashed into a ditch doing 40 (big surprise and long story made short by saying nail in tire + hard cornering= pop, massive slide and crash). The light doesn't come on with just headlights and such on, but it will turn on if i turn on the turn signal that way. Oddly enough it doesn't blink though, but it does turn on. Sometimes if i kick it hard enough it will blink every 10 seconds or so. I've heard it could be a short somewhere or possibly the bulb itself but I've checked the connection and the bulb appears to work so I don't really know whats going on. I should be getting an entire new bumper some time in late spring/early summer so I don't think I'll bother replacing it now. But if anyone knows what's up then lemme know :P.

Almost forgot, probably some necessary info. The camaro is an 89 but the tail lights might not be stock, they are the ones with the one big thing of black trim inbetween each one.

And oh yeah, first post. I'll introduce myself when the suns out and I can get some quality pics of the detailing polish/wax job I just did on it. It r all shiny

 

When I first got my '87 IROC most of the bulbs in the 3rd Brake light were burned out, and yes, stock halogen replacements were quite expensive. Fortunately, there are regular bulbs available for about $1 each that are about the same size that will fit, although they might have to have some extension wiring soldered to them [it's been a while, I don't recall exactly what was required, but it was easy and cheap]. Just take one of the burned-out bulbs to the autoparts store and browse the bulbs section.

 

Third brake lights - radio shack - they have cheap bulbs - take an old one with you and match up.

Tail lights - the bulbs are accessed behind the plastic in the rear hatch - remove the plastic, and the bulbs are there - twist and remove.

 

oh I know how to get to the bulbs and i was giving it a decent twist but it wasn't budging and I felt any more effort and it would pop inbetween my fingers.

Another problem, I don't have any of the original bulbs for the third brake light.

 

Here's a helpful hint no one has mentioned so far. The original bulbs are a halogen bulb and burn very hot. Don't touch them with your fingers when installing them. The oil from your skin will cause a hot spot on the bulb and greatly shorten its life. Use gloves or a cloth to touch them.

Lon

 

i recall reading that the radio shack bulbs are no good for some reason. Is that true?

 

Oh - lol - sorry. Can't get bulb out of socket - try spraying with some PB Blaster, and let it set a day - then try.

3rd brake light - um, beg borrow steal one lol - I don't remember the numbers. The radio shack bulbs been working fine for me going on 3 years now - not sure what problem would be.

 

thanks guys, tons of help. I'll hit up the radioshack today along with vip for the usual detailing goodies i need.

 

Just following up this one.

VIP had the bulbs needed for the last bulb on the end of the pass side brake light. 194's apparently. Cheap.

But for the third brake light, i forget the part # but they were $9 a piece. So I went to the radioshack like some of you guys said and asked for automotive bulbs. The chick working had no idea what i was talking about but showed me were all the bulbs were and I spent about 5 minutes deciding on what "looked" like it might fit. Good thing I was right. They aren't a perfect fit because they stick out farther than stock bulbs but they still plug in decently and stay there. edit - $2 each bulb.

I've also been considering my idea of a cheap version of a third brake light mod. I figure I can just print out some good font that says CAMARO and tape it to the brake light then spray paint it with the same stuff used on my trim/gfx a couple times. Sound good?