Fixed the cracked 3rd brake light / water intrusion issue for five bucks.

[Rad26rio]

I pulled apart my third light and did the whole shebang only to still have one super tiny pinhole leak still persistent. So I made a caulking tool to fill the gap, and retrospectively, would have just fixed it this way from the gitgo. Get an oversized plastic drinking straw and crease it flat on one end, then fill the straw slowly with the same type caulk in photo above. Roll down opposite end a bit and put a binder clip on it. Slip the flattened end in the gap from outside and fill the void with caulk by squeezing the straw sorta like icing a cake.

No fuss, no mess so long as you pay attention to the volume you pump into the crevasse.

 

[Verybadwizard]

How did you unplug the third brake light? I was able to pop it off but it doesn't seem like i can unplug it.

 

[Pyrenees]

How did you unplug the third brake light? I was able to pop it off but it doesn't seem like i can unplug it.

It doesn’t unplug.

 

[Verybadwizard]

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[camino70]

How did you unplug the third brake light? I was able to pop it off but it doesn't seem like i can unplug it.

If I recall, you have to pull the interior top panel. The wire is about 12".

Third brake light wire

• camino70
• Mar 1, 2019

 

[wandrews]

Could a leaky brake light be what's causing rust on the bottom of my '05 upper hatch? There are drain holes, but still a bunch of rust.

 

[thibaut]

I think that is the theory. My toyota dealer said it was the glass seal that is letting water but I am unconvinced. I will be doing the re-sealing of third brake light shortly. No downside and keen to avoid further rust (had my rear hatch repaired last year)

 

[yotasavg]

Could a leaky brake light be what's causing rust on the bottom of my '05 upper hatch? There are drain holes, but still a bunch of rust.

That's exactly how it happens. If it's bad, you might want to just source a new/used hatch.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

@Pyrenees
Wondering how well that GE Silicone has held up over the years? Any leaks?

I used a tube of that last night but in black color. It unfortunately never cured. Looks like I had a bad batch and will have to re-clean it all up and attempt to reseal again.
Thanks

 

[dotterJ]

I think I have the same thing going on with mine. I did the AC full blast test, and there was are coming through the 3rd brake light. I found one nut was loose on the bolt. I tightened it up, still some air coming though, but less now. So I tried to remove the brake light. After taking both bolts off, I couldn't get it to budge more than a 1/4". It looked like the seal was still good below it.

Is it the seal still holding it on? Or do you have to jimmy it a bit to get it off?

TYIA!

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

There are several clips that hold it in place in addition to the two nuts under the cover. Search for a pic of where they as I don't recall exactly

 

[Mariouscg]

Mine is leaking now and the right side corner of the hatch. I have an 06 and do not have third light just a plastic cover and spoiler can water also go through there? Have any one have water come from underneath the vehicle? seems to get more water when I am washing the vehicle which I also put water on the bottom.

 

[dotterJ]

Mine is leaking now and the right side corner of the hatch. I have an 06 and do not have third light just a plastic cover and spoiler can water also go through there? Have any one have water come from underneath the vehicle? seems to get more water when I am washing the vehicle which I also put water on the bottom.

I'd imagine so. I ended up carefully popping mine off after removing the screws and the inside trim (the hardest part...the trim on the left and right side of the hatch doesn't pop outward, but inward I think. I broke a few tabs figuring that out). I sealed it with liquid nails I think...no problem for 4 months now and no more mold smell inside the LX!

 

[Pyrenees]

Ugh, we just had a horrible rain storm and the next day the windows were foggy. I was like "oh no, not this again..." Five years after repairing mine with the GE silicone, it's leaking again. I hunted down my own thread on this, LOL. My original repair lasted this long but finally gave out. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

 

[Trapper50cal]

Good ideas here. I just developed a crack in my newly replaced third light lens...I think tightening it down actually cracked it.
I'll go the silicone route rather than replacing it again.

 

[goku1337]

Ugh, we just had a horrible rain storm and the next day the windows were foggy. I was like "oh no, not this again..." Five years after repairing mine with the GE silicone, it's leaking again. I hunted down my own thread on this, LOL. My original repair lasted this long but finally gave out. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

How did it turn out?