3rd Brake Light Not Working - Nissan Maxima

colin1 on 12/02/2016 - 17:45
Last edited 20/01/2018 - 10:18 by 2 other users

Hi,

My Nissan Maxima's 3rd brake light (Inside rear window) is not working. I didn't even know and when I had a service at NRMA they told me the whole unit needs replacing about $300. I plan to trade the car in when I get back from overseas but beforehand I need to get a pink slip and renew the registration as it expires while overseas.

Before I head off to see an auto electrician can some tell me if the 3rd brake light needs to be working or is Ok if the normal brake lights work. Spoke to different people at the RMS and got two different answers.

Anyone help me out.

Col

• 

  snappy1234 on 12/02/2016 - 18:04

  Surely some well placed adhesives will hide that problem.

• 

  npc on 12/02/2016 - 18:07

  +2

  Have you googled it? I doubt someone managed to design break light with irreplaceable bulb. There are approx. 6*10^23 results if you google for "replace 3rd stop light maxima".

• 

  nocure on 12/02/2016 - 18:17

  Yes..it has to be working, it is an easy fix just remove the plastic shroud and replace the bulb.

  • 

    PVA on 12/02/2016 - 18:28

    is it a bulb or a molded LED module.

  • 

    colin1 on 12/02/2016 - 18:29

    Thanks Guys for your response.

    Will have to have a go at removing the cover but I thought the NRMA would have done that when they serviced it.

    That why I am asking you gurus here as I don't know other than the bulb what could go wrong with a light, maybe the guys at NRMA service are just looking for quick cash!

• 

  PVA on 12/02/2016 - 18:31

  +1

  what year is the car?

  • 

    colin1 on 12/02/2016 - 18:43

    Hi PVA,

    It is a Nissan Maxima 2007 Ti. Just had a look at it and the rear deck mat is completely covering the 3rd stop light so i think access must be from within the boot

• 

  slknv on 12/02/2016 - 19:09

  +2

  Grab a led brake light off ebay for $10 or so, and wire it to one of your rear brake lights. Did it for my 200sx as the third brake light was missing, and in vic you need it for a roadworthy certificate. Takes maybe 10 minutes. Its only 12v wiring and pretty hard to stuff up.

• 

  nomoneynoproblems on 12/02/2016 - 20:28

  +3

  Change the globes. Lol $300 to replace. They having a laugh.

  • 

    Euphemistic on 12/02/2016 - 21:51

    For a flagship model, the Ti it's probably an LED module. LEDs typically aren't replaceable like bulbs, hence a shop wanting $300 for a new one. Us ozbargainers know there is a cheaper way. Like slknv says, but it could be a wiring problem, so unless you have some skills and tools to test it might be an auto sparky job.

• 

  shannonn54 on 12/02/2016 - 22:30

  Look at your fuse box, many cars have a separate fuse for the centre brake light also check if one of the normal brake lights is blown as that often has a flow on effect for many other things

• 

  Davo1111 on 13/02/2016 - 03:20

  Get a multimeter out and measure the wire voltage when you hit the brake. Then you'll be able to work out what type of replacement bulb can be jimmied up.

• 

  KelR on 26/08/2017 - 16:02

  Have just had need to fix the third stop light on a Nissan Maxima Manufacture 12/2009 model 32A. Advised by servicing agent NOT Working and could cost $298 for new unit plus installation.
  I tested the power availability - ok so must be light (LED's) Some sites advised removal of a couple of screws and should be able to remove light assembly, not really.
  The light assembly is screwed to the rear tray cover by 5 screws, only 3 of these are accessible from the boot, with some difficulty.
  To replace the light assembly you will need to:
  Disconnect the light wire in the boot.
  Remove the rear seat base, 2 clips one on each side at front edge of seat.
  Remove 4 screw bolt, 13mm, holding back of rear seat, then lift back upwards to release 3 mounting hooks (concealed) at top of rear seat back
  Remove the small window surrounds. Lift out from the font to "pop" the plastic securing "studs", then pull surround forward to release rear clip
  Lift tray covering from the front, held in place with about 6 plastic pressure studs, once lifted pull forward to release the 2 positioning clips at the rear. The stop light comes out with the cover tray.
  Unscrew the 5 screws and remove the light unit.
  My problem proved to be intermittent connections of the power wires to the printed circuit board. Carefully soldering of the 2 points fixed the problem
  Job took about 2 1/2 Hrs.

• 

  MAXIMA2007 on 11/01/2018 - 11:09

  I had exactly the same problem with nissan maxima 2007 yesterday. I am 100% sure that 3rd stop light was working before I took it to NRMA service. Then they gave me a check list that shows faulty 3rd stop light and $ 445 for fixing LED unit. I do not know how to prove it was working before and how to complain (I found a clips left on rear seat that seems to be from rear deck).
  I appreciate if anyone help me.
  Regards