n00bMeiSter
10-05-2011, 03:28 PM
Things you will need:
- 10mm socket / wrench
- flat head screwdriver
- LED 3rd brake light
Time: 10-15 minutes
1) Pop your trunk, and open it fully. Like this
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2872.jpg
2) Find these plugs. There are 14 of them in total. Remove all of them.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2873.jpg
To remove them, start by pulling the small inner piece so it looks like this:
*note: these are pretty easy to pull up, just use your fingernails to pop them up
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2874.jpg
Then pull the whole thing out.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2876.jpg
3) Carefully remove the trunk lid liner. If you've had rust proofing done there may be rust proofing grease on the liner. The liner is also hooked under the emergency trunk release.
With the trunk lid liner removed, you should see something similar to this:
*note: I've already replaced my stock 3rd brake light, so yours will look like a grey box.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2880.jpg
4) Twist the bulb connector counter clockwise and remove it.
Then use your 10mm socket and unscrew the nuts.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2877.jpg
5) Once you have removed the bulb and the nuts, there are two tabs next to each of the bolts that you need to push in, so you can take the whole light assembly out.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2878.jpg
6) On the stock assembly, there is a black rubbery/foamy gasket of sorts. Carefully remove this as you will need it to use on the LED assembly, unless you want water to seep into your trunk and short out your LED 3rd brake light.
<I don't have a picture of this just yet>
7) Insert the LED assembly into the 3rd brake light opening in the trunk, screw the nuts back on with your 10mm socket, re-attach the light connector and the trunk lid liner and you're done! :)
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2880.jpg
*note: I didn't like the way the wires were just dangling. So I secured the small black and red wires on the LED side of the connector with some electrical tape to the inside of the LED housing.
- 10mm socket / wrench
- flat head screwdriver
- LED 3rd brake light
Time: 10-15 minutes
1) Pop your trunk, and open it fully. Like this
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2872.jpg
2) Find these plugs. There are 14 of them in total. Remove all of them.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2873.jpg
To remove them, start by pulling the small inner piece so it looks like this:
*note: these are pretty easy to pull up, just use your fingernails to pop them up
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2874.jpg
Then pull the whole thing out.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2876.jpg
3) Carefully remove the trunk lid liner. If you've had rust proofing done there may be rust proofing grease on the liner. The liner is also hooked under the emergency trunk release.
With the trunk lid liner removed, you should see something similar to this:
*note: I've already replaced my stock 3rd brake light, so yours will look like a grey box.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2880.jpg
4) Twist the bulb connector counter clockwise and remove it.
Then use your 10mm socket and unscrew the nuts.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2877.jpg
5) Once you have removed the bulb and the nuts, there are two tabs next to each of the bolts that you need to push in, so you can take the whole light assembly out.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2878.jpg
6) On the stock assembly, there is a black rubbery/foamy gasket of sorts. Carefully remove this as you will need it to use on the LED assembly, unless you want water to seep into your trunk and short out your LED 3rd brake light.
<I don't have a picture of this just yet>
7) Insert the LED assembly into the 3rd brake light opening in the trunk, screw the nuts back on with your 10mm socket, re-attach the light connector and the trunk lid liner and you're done! :)
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff287/n00bMeiSter/TM3/3rd-brake-light/img2880.jpg
*note: I didn't like the way the wires were just dangling. So I secured the small black and red wires on the LED side of the connector with some electrical tape to the inside of the LED housing.