When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So i’m thinking about getting my Hawks fiberglss wrap around spoiler painted end of winter early spring. The spoiler came with the car and i found a third brake light and houseing for under it. What slipped my mind was the fact that my car doesnt have any holes in the lid for the wires. I assume thats how they worked. So not having the holes confused me about what originally came on the car because it has the clips on the metal trim for the tips. Opinions on if i should drill and add the third brake light when i get my spoiler painted or if rule with out it. I would just have to be aware to not use my spoiler to close the hatch.
Your car would have originally came with the third brake light mounted between the bottom of the spoiler and the top of the hatch like all other 1987-90 Formulas.
As for wiring, IIRC these cars still had the weird looking electrical contacts on the rear hatch inside trim panel, which I believe were for the third brake light. I've never owned a pre-91 car and can't confirm, but the wiring might all be contained inside the car, with just the electrical contacts on the hatch itself.
Yes, my old Formula had the brake light between the hatch and spoiler. The wiring is what is really throwing me off. I assumed the wires ran theough the hatch and connected somewhere inside like you said, but i’m missing any holes in the hatch and doubt someone shaved it.
As for wiring, IIRC these cars still had the weird looking electrical contacts on the rear hatch inside trim panel, which I believe were for the third brake light. I've never owned a pre-91 car and can't confirm, but the wiring might all be contained inside the car, with just the electrical contacts on the hatch itself.
You got it. There was a short wire from the contact, through the deck, into the housing for the bulb
You got it. There was a short wire from the contact, through the deck, into the housing for the bulb
Hmmm, makes me question the history of my car then. Since it’s a 90 it HAD to have a 3rd brake light. So, either the hatch lid was replaced with an older one that didnt have the spoiler mounted light or it was repainted and the hole was filled in. So many questions now.
If Penn. doesn't require Motor Vehicle Inspection on Historical Vehicles I wouldn't bother with it, unless of course if you want it all stock, Original, then I would go ahead and install the 3rd Brake Light, Here's a little info on the parts you'll need, especially P/Ns 25-26 on the diagram.
Thanks Manta. I have classic plates in PA, so i still need a yearly inspection just no emissions. So the wires go through the hatch to make the connection? Still curious about my lack of a hole in the hatch. Im not overly concerned about it being 100% original looking.
What is your opinion looks wise with the brake light vs without under the spoiler?
My third brake light was physically on the car, but didn't work, so I took the time to fix it. If it was NOT there....as is the case with yours, I wouldn't bother. Around here, technically you're supposed to have it if it came that way from the factory, but they don't really check. Most places want the car on site, but don't actually inspect anything. -Around here, anyway, lol.
As for the wiring, there's a metal contact just to the left of the latching mechanism in the rear storage well. Then underneath the rear decklid, there's a spring loaded contact, again, to the left of the latch. When you close the hatch, they touch, connection made. -so no physical wires run between the hatch and the car itself. Part # 25 and 26 on the diagram. 25 is under the decklid, 26 mounts to the plastic interior panel that covers the hatch mechanism.
If Penn. doesn't require Motor Vehicle Inspection on Historical Vehicles I wouldn't bother with it, unless of course if you want it all stock, Original, then I would go ahead and install the 3rd Brake Light, Here's a little info on the parts you'll need, especially P/Ns 25-26 on the diagram.
11-30-2017, 10:25 PM
