Do all 5 bulbs need to be in the 3rd brake light for it to work? Mine hasnt worked since i got it and i and fianlly took it off and there were 3 bulbs in it, one in every other slot. If i get 2 more bulbs, should it work?

 

Hello meeklay812,

Have you checked the wiring to the electrical contact in the rear trim piece in the cargo area. It makes contact with the electrical contact in the deck lid when the hatch is closed and supplies power to the third stop light when the brake switch is depressed by the brake pedal. See the circled areas in the following pictures.

 

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I checked all the wiring and everything looks like its hooked up fine..... Any other ideas?

 

Here is the wiring schematic for it. The wire runs from the brake switch on the brake pedal down the left side of the car to a connector under the trim covering the left rear speaker, From there it goes to the electrical contact in the rear trim piece. See pictures in first post.

 

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Also check the fuse shown in the picture.

 

Answer to your first question NO. Also before checking the wiring,
I would buy (5) replacment bulbs P/N 272-1177 at Radioschack for $1.99 each and install them. What probably happened is the previous owner did not replace the bulbs when they burned out and just switched them around. Possible reason was the cost of replacements from the Dealer at $14.00 a pop,and they were a hard item to locate. Try this first.

 

Another thing to check is the brake switch on the brake pedal, there is a separate circuit inside it for the third stop light.