High level/3rd brake light.

[Guest]

I've no idea if this will be of interest or help to anyone else, but I took some pictures when changing the 3rd brake light on my Yaris.

Bear in mind this is for a 2014, Mk3 (pre facelift) car. Earlier or later years might be different.

First remove the plastic cover from inside the hatch, it isn't very tight and requires a plastic trim removal tool or similar flat implement, suitably protected by tape etc.. There are 6 spring plastic clips.

[Guest]

The light assembly is secured by two spring steel clips. Squeeze together, a bit of a pig to achieve, they are sharp, beware! How do I know?

The light comes out towards the rear with the plug still connected. Easier to remove this outside, there's enough spare cable. Squeeze the plastic tab and remove.

Pictures of the aperture, inside and outside. The old light still insitu and one of the clips, from the underside.

[Guest]

The removed light. The foam seal is a bit worse for wear with age. New light completed.

Clean the outer mating face of seal residue, I used Isopropyl

The new light is prefitted with the clips and foam seal. Plug in the connector, TEST first, then it just pushes home. It does need a firm press until the clips "click" when it's fully home.

Chuck a bucket of water over it to check for leakage. I also washed the car before refitting the plastic cover, again to detect any possible leaks.

Be prepared to sell a kidney too!

Would it not be much better, and far, far cheaper to use easy change filament lamps and a scew on cover for easy access instead of this l.e.d. obsession?

[flash22]

it's the same on all mk3's*, the Mk4 went back to the housing and light against the back glass inside the car like the mk1 and 2