Replace Third Brake Light

[pqviller]

Hi

My Avensis Estate 2010 has a 3rd brake light on top of the back door. Its integrated in the top spoiler with no visible screws to detach it.

I have removed the panel on the inside to reveal the electric cables. There are 4 screws on the inside under the panal which seems to attach the spoiler integrating the brakelight.

It seems that I need to remove the spoiler to be able to detach the brake light. The question is - there seems to be more screws to unscrew somewhere. The spoiler does not bulge.

Best regards Peter

[Druid Boy]

I had a simliar experience with a Mini. The spoiler on that is also retained by double sided sticky pads. They are sods to shift and require the use of a plastic wedge or similar to lift the spoiler. Watch out for damaging the paintwork.

[pqviller]

Thanks Druidboy.

That might just be the case. I have tried again to see if i can (with gentle force) remove the spoiler, without any luck.

There seems no way to get a plastic wedge to the point where the stick pads might be, and i am afraid to use more force to remove it (what if it is attached by something else...

I think i just might swallow my pride and drive down to my toyota repair guy.

best regards Peter

[gazza1286]

Does the owner's manual not give some guidance? They usually provide detailed information about replacing most light bulbs.

[Heidfirst]

are Toyota dealers still doing free bulb fitting if you buy the bulb from them?

On my facelift T27 there appears to be a removable section in the top of the spoiler, presumably for the high-level stop light. Must be enough of a pain to change that they were willing to change the part.

[pqviller]

Hi Gazza,

Thanks, i did consult the manual, and for this particular light it suggested to contact and authorized Toyota repair center.

the third brake light is component with a row of LED's. I bought one on used spare parts site for less than 25% of original price, and thought it would be a piece of cake to replace it...

Maybe some one on this site has access to a repair manual for Toyota avensis 2009 -?

Searching the internet there are several sites offering this manual, but require a creditcard before releasing the PDF file. Question is if these sites can be trusted, and if there is any relevant information on replacing the high brakelight?

This last question is more general - anyone know a trusted site with a good detailed repair manual for avensis 2009 ->?

[pqviller]

Hi Heidfirst

My T27 is not facelifted but has the same section, maybe that can be removed some how? I have noticed it and wonderd if it had some function or just some wierd design detail. The more i think

of it i must have some sort of function to access the brakelight from behind. The brake light element i have bought has 2 holefittings for screws on the backside

I'll give it a try tomorrow and get back to you on that.

Thats for hints and tips to you all

Best regards Peter

[Heidfirst]

Hi Heidfirst

My T27 is not facelifted but has the same section, maybe that can be removed some how?

The picture at the top doesn't appear to show the section that I am talking about on mine which is on the upper side of the spoiler.

have you looked on toyota-tech.eu for a manual? access to that section may be chargeable but you can download.

[TomdeGuerre]

Peter, I would have thought this was within scope of a DIY. Never done this particular model myself but it's usually a case of taking off the interior trim panel from the tailgate, disconnect the wiring plug and then removing the spoiler. Once the spoiler is off you can unscrew the high level brake light assembly.

Interior trim panel usually held on by plastic clips, a pallet knife can be useful in getting it started. Once you get the first one out the rest follows quite easily.

Spoiler held on by 4 screws and 3 clips (see pic 4 screws YELLOW arrows, 3 plastic clips WHITE arrows)

High level brake light held on by 2 screws or nuts (see pic RED arrows).

Hope this helps.

[pqviller]

Solved:)

tomdeguerres pictures are correct. I believe the first one is the down side of the spoiler when detached. After removing the panel and removing the 4 screws the spoiler is only attached by the three plastic plugs. just a little light force and it came off. After this it was a piece of cake to remove the high brakelight by removing 2 screws. 10 min work and it saved me 200 euros including materials. The toyota repaircenter wanted 240 euros to fix it.

thanks again all effort to help. hopes this thread helps others to fix their high brake light on their own.

best regards Peter

[saxo265]

On 17/06/2015 at 3:26 PM, TomdeGuerre said:

Peter, I would have thought this was within scope of a DIY. Never done this particular model myself but it's usually a case of taking off the interior trim panel from the tailgate, disconnect the wiring plug and then removing the spoiler. Once the spoiler is off you can unscrew the high level brake light assembly.

Interior trim panel usually held on by plastic clips, a pallet knife can be useful in getting it started. Once you get the first one out the rest follows quite easily.

Spoiler held on by 4 screws and 3 clips (see pic 4 screws YELLOW arrows, 3 plastic clips WHITE arrows)

High level brake light held on by 2 screws or nuts (see pic RED arrows).

Hope this helps.     

 Hi guys, my 09' estate has condensation/water in the spoiler brake light,does it mean I have to take the whole spoiler off or does the opaque  plastic cover come off from under the spoiler without removing? There is a flush fitting separate cover? on top of the spoiler above brake light,has this got anything to do with it?  Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers,Nick

 

On 17/06/2015 at 3:26 PM, TomdeGuerre said:

 

[pqviller]

27 minutes ago, saxo265 said:

 Hi guys, my 09' estate has condensation/water in the spoiler brake light,does it mean I have to take the whole spoiler off or does the opaque  plastic cover come off from under the spoiler without removing? There is a flush fitting separate cover? on top of the spoiler above brake light,has this got anything to do with it?  Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers,Nick

 

 

Good thing there is a email notification on this board:)

As I remember, the only way to access the spoiler brake light is by removing the some screws from inside behind the panal and then with a little force push it loose - when only the clips are holding the spoiler in place. (a little force is needed). I think the brakelight was in one whole piece - so if you have water inside, i guess you might need to make a small drainage hole with a drill, and stuff it up afterwards.

Cheers

[saxo265]

Mmmm, thought that might be too easy! thanks for idea,I might well have to do that. Not sure how it gets in but I do park downhill on my steep drive so perhaps it runs in via lense . Many thanks.

[pqviller]

1 minute ago, saxo265 said:

Mmmm, thought that might be too easy! thanks for idea,I might well have to do that. Not sure how it gets in but I do park downhill on my steep drive so perhaps it runs in via lense . Many thanks.

Just a clearify - i meant pushing the spoiler loose to access and remove the brakelight. It is not possible to remove the brakelight by pushing the brakelight itself, as it is mounted on to the spoiler and can only be removed first loosning the spoiler. - good luck

[saxo265]

Ok ta!

[saxo265]

Before I have a go at removal guys, is there a gasket/seal I need to get first as it must be getting in somewhere? cheers, Nick.

Ps. the brake light works fine.

[pqviller]

38 minutes ago, saxo265 said:

Before I have a go at removal guys, is there a gasket/seal I need to get first as it must be getting in somewhere? cheers, Nick.

Ps. the brake light works fine.

The brakelight comes in one integrated piece with a cable and plug (plug is disconnected behind panel on the inside) Can't remember there was any gasket between the brakelight module and spoiler

[saxo265]

Ok thanks Peter,looks like removal job and possible light replacement then,not looking forward to that! cheers,Nick

[Igors]

 

Dear Peter. Have you changed the deodic fanlight yourself (lied a new tape) or bought a whole stop signal?

 

[pqviller]

Hi Igors

Its been a couple of years since, but as i remenber i bought the third brakelight on eBay i think. 

It was a module with a connector. Inside the module there was the stripe of leds or diods. Never tried to open the actual module to if the led strip was replaceable.

Changing the module was easy, only hard to find out how to dismount and mount the module, which i first thought was done by the inside, but it turned out to be by removing he top spoiler.

best regards Peter

[Igors]

Thank you very much for the information. I've been looking for two days on eBay and can not find :(

 

 

[youlandda]

My avensis has a boot and can't see how to get to intensity light