This is about fixing the brake light unit and the bulb/harness, but first, some "gee, I suck" humor or "why I don't like to fix stuff".

Multiple days of rain and finally noticed water dripping on the rear headrests and window. Looked at the third brake and saw water in it. Waited for the rain to stop, then removed the light and brought it into the house to dry out. Rain woke me up in the middle of the night and I ran out into the driveway in pajamas and rainsuit as I tried to patch the hole in the roof with plastic wrap and painters tape. Parked the truck on a slope today and opened the doors to let the water out. Ok. now to the problem.

Inspected the plastic fixture today and saw that it was cracked but the foam gasket seemed perfect. Slathered silicone on the gasket anyway and went to install. Reinstalling the bulbs, found the 3rd brake bulb was blackened and the socket was burnt and puffy. The socket was so burnt that I couldn't pull the bulb. Bulb works, though.

So what do I buy? I need a new fixture as the old is cracked. One of the screws has stripped out the "screw-hole clip" that clamps to the tab on the body. And the bulb socket is burnt to the point I can't just plug in a new bulb. Replacement of the socket looks like a cut and splice activity so not on my happy list.

Any advice?

 

buy a new recon led third brake light...install with a small bead of rtv.

 

And wait for the RTV to cure before re-installing on the truck. If you install while the RTV is still "wet", it acts like epoxy, and you'll just about never get the brake light assembly off again without distroying the roof itself!

 

Better believe what Bucko says. Blue RTV is an awesome engine gasket sealer and if you've ever had to scrap that stuff off a head it makes you a believer real fast.

 

Thanks, guys. That Recon light looks awesome. Especially the smoked version for my black truck. Hope that my GE Silicone II comes off easier than the RTV or I might have to just glue a big 'ol fishbowl over the whole thing and live with it!

 

use a razor blade..