88 GTA -
Haven't been able to get the third brake light to work. The ground strap that connects to the defroster grid pulled away at the last connection. I would tape it on and have my son step on the pedal and the light would work - until I drive it and it bounces around and falls away again. Tried all the aftermarket glue and grid line kits. Tried to solder it back on - nothing works. Will a auto glass place be able to fix this for a reasonable sum? Will I need a new hatch glass? I know its a minor issue, but this is one of the last issues and its driving me crazy. Thanks.

 

I haven't looked in a while, but I think on my '89 Camaro the 3rd brake light has its power/ground connections going through a set of contacts on the trim panel that covers the hatch latch/pull-down motor... There is a black spring loaded paddle kind of a thing that is on the underside of the hatch with like 2 little contacts sticking out that comes down and makes contact with some others on the top of the trim panel. There are provisions for 4 contacts, but only two are used.

That's how I remember it on mine anyway, maybe yours is different though... I can go take some pics if you want...?

As for the defrost grid ground strap, if it is broken off right at the boot of the connector, you could probably find one at a junkyard. Or, I might have a good one on my parts car.

 

Thanks - On mine, there is something that looks like a silver shoelace that runs down the glass on both sides. This shoelace is soldered to the brown defrost grid at about a dozen points. The last solder point on the passenger side let go and has apparently "ungrounded" the third brake light. If I hold that ground in place with tape the brakelight will work. However, I have not been able to find any way to permanently secure it. Maybe I'm off base with one ground point making a difference, but the light does work when I have the connection made.

Kevin

 

Hmm, weird... I know I've read a few things on here about the 3rd brake light doing some crazy stuff relative to the rear defrost grid. Umm, here's a picture of what I was talking about previously. Does your car have that black thing (circled in red):

 

Got that - and my contacts are all nice and clean. It was my understanding that connection would affect all brake lights if malfunctioning - not just the third. My brake lights work - it's just that darn grid. I'm going to swing by an auto glass place and see if they can figure it out (and how much that'll cost me). Thanks. Kevin

 

Got it fixed. Hallelujah! You were correct Blue - I just had to clean those connections with my dremel and wire cup and now I am good to go - after 7 years of non-functioning third brake light. Actually, the connections were mostly clean (probably why I couldn't find the problem), it was the tiny little knobby part of the connector that was crudded. I am so happy! Thanks. Kevin

 

Nice! Glad to hear you were able to get it fixed. It's good when things turn out to be easy, and cheap, to fix.