So currently I own an 86. About 2 months back I got lazy and instead of hand washing my car, I took it through the automated car wash because I was in a hurry. As it was getting dried I heard the sound of plastic flying and hitting the ground. Turn around only to find my 3rd break light in pieces all over the place. I took a closer look and even the wires got ripped off.

So here I am now without a 3rd break light. So far I have not had any issues with any law enforcement luckily as most people think its an 85 or below. However, as I am close to graduating, I might be moving back to Nebraska for an internship. Remembering buying my first 86 there, there was an inspection, including the lights.

So it brings me to this point, I more than likely need to get it replaced.
I was wondering if the inner 3rd break light like those on the 91 (think that was the year) was compatible with the 86 hatch. The other 86 I have there has the 3rd break light still but its in pretty much in bad condition as well and I kind of like the look better than the outer mounted or the spoiler look. So this kind of gave me initiative to change position if possible.

Will I have to change the hatch or will the wiring be possible?

 

I think you will have to change the glass, the 91-92 glass has an area for the 3rd that is clear for the light.
Nebraska no longer has inspections. I know that Buffalo and Hall counties don't. so I think you will be good, as long as it is already CA licensed.

 

Why not just replace the 86 Hatch light ??

 

^^^^ yes why not just replace what was wore-out and broke?
I have an 92 hatch glass, but shipping from HI would make it cost to much!
I have an 85 glass because I do not want the 3rd in the glass.

 

 

With a busted exterior 3rd brake light I gotta' think that the holes thru the factory 86 hatch glass are going to be a ( water) problem. It's just real simple to just re-install another correct 3rd brake light housing be done with it.

IIRC the later hatch glass with interior 3rd brake light have a rear defroster "grid" that's 'clear' of the plastic brake parts. If so,then if you install an interior 3rd brake light on an early Rear Defroster Hatch - the brake lens MIGHT get melted from the rear defroster.

If you do decide to install a later style hatch than you will need to re-run the 3rd brake light so that it reaches the lens,... factory wiring ran the 3rd brake wire up the drivers pillar to the center of the roof and back to the Headliner trim panel.

 

John: I can replace it, but I kind of like look of the interior light better. However, if I have to replace the whole hatch I rather just keep it the way it is with the outer casing.
The humidity level out here can get very bad and every morning the car can be soaked. As far as the holes being there and water, I have them sealed at the moment. It was the first thing I did after realizing I could not use the broken pieces.


FlyDoc: My main problem with the whole thing is that it also ripped out the wires. I have to check, if there was any wire left, but I remember it being almost completely gone and hanging from the light bulb piece only.

Nina: That's a very good idea. I didn't think about that.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think the housing on the outside is bad, but after having lived in areas such as Nebraska and New Mexico, I had to be too careful when scraping the ice off the hatch. I find the interior light more beneficial from that viewpoint.
I'm just worried about passing those inspections. If they don't have them anymore like FlyDoc says, then I should be golden

 

The '91/'92 hatch light comes with it's own set of problems, though; it hangs down a little bit into your line of sight looking thru the rearview mirror, and the bulb socket seems to want to disintegrate from the heat. I was always scouring the boneyards looking for one that didn't have a heatsoaked and cracked bulb socket.