TOP BRAKE LIGHT FIX

[zzonyx]

Hi everyone, after a long time I could use some been-there-done-that help.

My third stop light, installed new last year after the original one had one LED out, has (probably) shorted and doesn't work at all. A closer look revealed a darker (burned?) inside color close to the connecting point some debris and no apparent pins inside. The connector itself is also in bad shape and requires replacement. At this point I need both the light (the easy part) AND the connector, but have no clue as to where/how to reorder the item - I don't want a new rear-end loom, which is usually the dealership approach.

Any workable DIY ideas will be appreciated.

[chrisund123]

Scrapyard and a pair of snips?

[zzonyx]

Too simple to work - where I live Octavias are rare and the run-down ones live second lives in some underdeveloped country... 

Thanks

anyway, Chisund123. 

[Ootohere]

On Ebay there will be someone that had access to a scrap / breakers yard or just a car and had snips.

[zzonyx]

... and probably snipping the more lucrative items such as sensors. I wonder if there is someone capable of identifying the connector OEM (the ubiquitous Hella, Vdo, Bosch, Valeo...) to try them or a radio shack or similar electronics store. 

[Ootohere]

Sorry i thought you would just want a whole new / used unit.  

 

(The man on the Ebay advert on Quest Channel in the UK seems to think when a light blows you just buy a whole new unit, i think he might be an actor hired to play a car enthusiast....)

[langers2k]

Take a look at the existing connector, it'll probably have a part number on it.

 

At the very least take a few clear, high resolution pictures of it and post it up. It might be possible to identify it

[zzonyx]

Good idea, will proceed ASAP, thank you Langers2k. 

[zzonyx]

Here are the photos which helped me with the part #s:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/rdsLyODergpmhn3F3

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2xIHl6NmHE4Ftonv1

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mrIrTm3bJbBc1aBJ3

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HLNF1a1s4SgxxGo92

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RfmP2iDmiJM6Hv2x1

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ABGrebtg9ayr3ysA2

I'm reordering both the connector and the light itself. Before assembling it all I'll caulk the connection with silicone and put an end to a never-ending story, hopefully. Thank you all for sharing your ideas.

 

 

[sparky2]

Some silicone that smells like vinegar will attack the metal pins !

[zzonyx]

It will never reach the pins, it's supposed to guarantee watertightness for the connector only. As a second thought, there are also acetate-free silicones, plus tens of similar caulking compounds. For me it was important to have a new female connector (body side). An excellent occasion to make the ridiculously short wiring a tad longer... 

Thanks for your comment, cheers.