Center Mount (3rd) brake light requires spoiler removal?

boondoggle

boondoggle

Member
Please tell me there is an easier way to replace the Center mount (3rd) brake light in my 04 4Runner Sport with factory spoiler. My owner's manual doesn't mention having to remove the spoiler.

And by easier, I don't mean take it to the dealer.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maintenance/23813-3rd-brake-light.html

I notice there are two screws on the back. Those don't hold it in? The lens doesn't pop out? This is worse than changing bulbs on a VW.

Think I'm gonna take the old nylon spudger tool out to the parking garage after work and see if I can pop it out. I just can't believe they'd expect people to remove the spoiler for a bulb change.


EDIT/UPDATE: Putting the solution at the front of the page for any who might stumble across this thread.

Okay, I got hooked up by CXS - he sold me the high mount center lamp from his 2005 Limited. I replaced mine and took a few pictures. Hopefully this helps somebody else.

It seems like it should be a simple thing but it's unlike changing any other brake light bulb I've ever encountered so, here's the scoop.

Important notes:

1. There is no 'bulb' in the stock spoiler center lamp. It's a sealed LED.

2. This is a 2004 Sport with a stock spoiler. Aftermarket spoilers use a different lamp. Often with a replaceable bulb. Aftermarket it aftermarket though so YMMV.

3. The stock spoilers from 03-09 all use the same lamp. According to the Toyota Dealership and a reputable body shop manager.

4. The replacement lamps are stupidly expensive (thanks for the good deal CXS!).

Here's a picture of the center lamp and a close up of the connector.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79261483@N08/10335642463/" title="Untitled by turnnow, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/10335642463_2bb7dbe974.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79261483@N08/10335644103/" title="Untitled by turnnow, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/10335644103_150d5c421a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

First, raise the tailgate and remove the two plastic grommets on either side. Use a 10mm socket (an extension is handy to keep your ratchet from hitting the glass/tailgate)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79261483@N08/10335466695/" title="Untitled by turnnow, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/10335466695_9be5b2b92c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79261483@N08/10335456534/" title="Untitled by turnnow, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/10335456534_bdb37cd38f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

On my 2004, the spoiler slid down off these round plastic attachment 'tab' pieces. On the underside of the spoiler are two 'slotted' piece that keep it pressed against the back of the tailgate.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79261483@N08/10335461625/" title="Untitled by turnnow, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/10335461625_515b146667.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

This shot shows the underside of the drivers side of the spoiler. That red slotted area in the upper left is the 'slot' that goes around the round plastic tab in the previous picture. You can see the connector from the Center Lamp pigtail. It's held onto the spoiler by a metal tab. You can just pull on the connector and it will slide off the tab.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79261483@N08/10335472356/" title="Untitled by turnnow, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5540/10335472356_c82671d2a7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

Unscrew the two philips screws hold the center lamp in place. Pull the old one out carefully. Having some sort of plastic pry device to pop it out will help. When inserting the replacement, it has a tab that requires it to be slid in a certain way. Just fiddle with it. It's easy to figure out.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79261483@N08/10335463675/" title="Untitled by turnnow, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/10335463675_5d30a37536.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

That's about it really. Only took about 15 minutes. Easy, but a strange way to repair a brake light being out.

The tough part seems to be finding a replacement for a reasonable price.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Guess I'm not sure why you need to remove the spoiler to replace the bulb. My brake light is mounted in the spoiler and if I ever needed to replace the bulbs, I would pop the light fixture out of the spoiler and replace them. I rendered the brake light that is part of the hatch inoperable when I installed my spoiler.

Are you trying to have both the brake light in the hatch and the one in the spoiler working?

There are two phillips screws on the forward face of my spoiler but those can be removed with a right angle phillips. Just get them started and finish by hand. In my spoiler, removing those screws releases a metal frame that is part of the lamp in the spoiler. Should come right out once released. (I have the spoiler with the "hump" ... not sure if that makes a difference)
 
Last edited:
I installed the brake light in the spoiler after I installed the spoiler ...

So still not sure why the spoiler needs to be removed.
 
Thanks for the glimmer of hope JD. I have an OEM spoiler. The area on the hatch where an SR5 would have a light is solid with the outline/molding of where they'd cutout the sheet metal. I only have the one brake light assembly.

On mine, the screws are between the spoiler and the hatch. I"ll try using a right angle driver to break the screw free and work them out the rest of the way by hand. There isn't a lot of space between the spoiler and hatch though. If those screws are very long they won't have room to come out all the way.

Don't know why they didn't just use the clip design like on the non spoiler version...

In my original post I linked to some other threads where removing the spoiler is mentioned. My downloaded repair manual is for an 06, slightly different but also mentions removing the spoiler.

Anyone been successful replacing one of these bulbs on an oem spoiler?
 
No.

Sorry, maybe I'm not making myself clear. There is no light in the hatch. Don't want one, never had one.

It's a sport model. OEM spoiler. One brake light assembly. FSM says to remove the spoiler. Seems silly and unnecessary. Curious if other people with OEM spoilers have found workarounds.
 
Last edited:
You're totally clear Boon, "lauraisrael714" is a spammer. Stole a piece of my post and re-posted.

Try with one screw and see if you can get it out all the way. I had plenty of room to get it out but I have the hump spoiler and not sure what differences may be as far as space between hatch and spoiler. May need to attach a leash to the end of the wire connector and release the connector to have enough slack to remove light housing from spoiler.

I will warn you: getting those screws on the back side of the spoiler out may be a lot easier than getting them back in. Be nice and gentle with that metal strapping that holds the light in place via those two screws. If you deform it during removal or re-installation, getting those screws back in their holes becomes a frustrating experience. Clearer if you're looking at the picture while reading this.

And I would definitely use a long life (and really bright) LED lamp for replacement.
 
Well. Still haven't got this done yet. :)

Started on it back during the winter, got the assembly out and couldn't figure out how to open it. It was cold, I was in a hurry, so I put it back in.

Months later, I've got some time to kill. Pulled the assembly out again still can't figure out how to change the bulb. This is ridiculous, but kind of annoying.

The only thing I can think of is maybe the whole assembly needs to be replaced? And if so, where is the connector?

Yes, I loosened and removed those two 8mm nuts. They just hold the bracket onto the assembly. There are two wires running right into the assembly a green and a white. Didn't see any connectors down in the hole.

I've put a screwdriver between the big gray tabs and the red lens piece, but they're gonna snap before anything loosens.

Haven't been pulled over for this yet, but it's become a 'principal' issue. I've never had a brake light bulb that wasn't easily replaceable before.

I mentioned it to the service writer at the dealership but he was clueless. There are 100s of thousands of 4runners in Denver and he's useless… great.

Here are some pics. Ideas? This is dumb. I've rebuilt old British Triumph motorbikes and had less electrical absurdity than this. :)



 
Last edited:
BTW,

I looked in the Factory Service Manual available for 2003 models (can't find a 2004) and these are the only instructions. Keep in mind, the FSM instructs removal of the spoiler first. Not very useful…





About to say **** it dude, let's go bowling… :)
 
I bought my spolier aftermarket, and it looks like OEM. After 3yrs when some bulbs went out. I check back their website the whole light assembly cost $19.00 only. BUT, I did not bother to ask for the measurements if it will really fit OEM spoilers, though the LED assy looks the same, sure it will fit on mine since I bought my spolier from that manufacturer. You might want to ask and verify further... and if they can give measurements just to make sure the LED assembly will fit in yours.

The first one below is the 4Runner(2 yrs ago I checked its $19)PLs Call them b4 buying
California Dream - LED Lights

If you've already bought one from whoever supplier, you can actually reserve that and do this

Cut the sides of the plastic housing near the screws that holds the LED strip. Cut both ends and you will have access to the screws. The LED strip should be free and you can pull it from either side. There are 3 types of elect part if I'm correct. You can tell visually if a part is fried. Mine are only 3 LED bulbs cost 4 for a dollar at radioshack, If all bulbs are out I suspect a resistor and shouldn't cost much. You need to have basic soldering skill to replace atleast a bulb...its not that hard. Glue back on the part of plastic you cut and apply silicon sealant. Connect back the wires.
 

Attachments

  • file-1.jpg
    file-1.jpg
    128.9 KB · Views: 6,322
  • PC100001.jpg
    PC100001.jpg
    91.1 KB · Views: 6,194
  • PC090060.jpg
    PC090060.jpg
    52.8 KB · Views: 5,903
Last edited:
boondoggle said:
BTW,

I looked in the Factory Service Manual available for 2003 models (can't find a 2004) and these are the only instructions. Keep in mind, the FSM instructs removal of the spoiler first. Not very useful…

...

About to say **** it dude, let's go bowling… :)
Click to expand...

You're out of your element! So you have no frame of reference here, boondoggle. You're like a child who wanders into the middle of a movie and wants to know... There's no reason - here's my point, dude, there's no ****ing reason why these two screws can't be removed using a 90° screw driver, or a 1/4" wrench and a driver bit that fits the screw head. Then you can get at the screws but not remove the whole spoiler.

edit - I just saw that you already got the light out, sorry... still leaving the quote though.
 
Last edited:
Yeah I was looking at my spoiler debating if I wanted to take it off or just dig up a ratcheting wrench from a furniture set.

Looking at the part numbers and the diagrams TIS has (which is pretty much the same with what has been posted) I don't know why but the Spoiler CHMSL is different from the body mounted one. In fact it doesn't show any bulbs to replace or bulb sockets, or any way to separate the lens from the housing; perhaps it is infact LED?

I don't know how they did the connection for the factory spoiler lamps, the diagrams show a connector but that may be for the non-spoiler ones. I would assume the connector if any will be in the body of the 4Runner, near the factory plug. If I have time at work today I will try to take my CHMSL out and look it over.
 
X2 my third light is also very faint and sometimes doesn't come on at all... Anyone have success?
 
I just said **** it. :)

Short story, long….

I had my wife check the brake light and she said it was coming on. Maybe it's intermittent. Not sure.

But the LED is an all in one piece. There are wires that run down through the spoiler, through the tailgate and into the body. Not sure where the the LED wiring connects to the the rest of the harness.

If I were to buy a new LED, I'd have to splice it in. The local dealership wanted some ridiculous amount of money. I forget how much, upwards of $100 if I remember correctly.

Funny enough, last time I took it in for an oil change (had a coupon for a full synth oil and lube for $40 so why not) I asked the service writer how much they'd charge to replace it, when I picked it up she quoted my $25. So, they either didn't know what they were talking about (ok, they obviously didn't know what they were talking about). Or maybe they misunderstood and were going to charge me $25 to replace on the regular tail lights that isn't bad.

And I just know if I'd taken her up on the $25 Center Lamp assy deal I'd just be wasting all of our time.

The lamps itself not too bad to remove from the spoiler. Just get a small ratcheting screwdriver and take your time. The problem is the connectors are hidden somewhere. :der:

**** it dude. :)
 
Last edited:
A buddy from work was following me on an errand a few days ago and mentioned my center brake light is indeed out. Therefore, it's an intermittent issue. However, another forum member has removed his spoiler and doesn't need the LED brake light.

So, if I get his spoiler LED and replace mine. I'll take good pics and notes so anyone who comes across this will have a better idea of how to replace it. I haven't seen a really good DIY on this for stock spoilers brake light, yet.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/152368-spoiler-removal-3rd-brake-light-2.html#post1505924
 
There are an awful lot of posts about removing the spoiler here that I didn't read but it doesn't get much easier. Open the rear door, pop out the two large plastic covers, remove two bolts (10mm I believe) and give it a whack on the bottom to release it from the clips and done. Probably much easier than just removing the light.

The connection is stuffed inside the spoiler, give an easy tug to access the connection.
 
Success!

Okay, I got hooked up by CXS - he sold me the high mount center lamp from his 2005 Limited. I replaced mine and took a few pictures. Hopefully this helps somebody else down the road.

It seems like it should be a simple thing but it's unlike changing any other brake light 'bulb' I've ever encountered so, here's the scoop.

Important notes:

1. There is no 'bulb' in the stock spoiler center lamp. It's a sealed unit LED.

2. This is a 2004 Sport with a stock spoiler. Aftermarket spoilers use a different lamp. Often with a replaceable bulb. Aftermarket it aftermarket though so YMMV.

3. The stock spoilers from 03-09 all use the same lamp. According to the Toyota Dealership and a reputable body shop manager.

4. The replacement lamps are stupidly expensive (thanks for the good deal CXS!).

Here's a picture of the center lamp and a close up of the connector.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79261483@N08/10335642463/" title="Untitled by turnnow, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/10335642463_2bb7dbe974.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79261483@N08/10335644103/" title="Untitled by turnnow, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/10335644103_150d5c421a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

First, raise the tailgate and remove the two plastic grommets on either side. Use a 10mm socket (an extension is handy to keep your ratchet from hitting the glass/tailgate)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79261483@N08/10335466695/" title="Untitled by turnnow, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/10335466695_9be5b2b92c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79261483@N08/10335456534/" title="Untitled by turnnow, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/10335456534_bdb37cd38f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

On my 2004, the spoiler slid down off these round plastic attachment 'tab' pieces. On the underside of the spoiler are two 'slotted' piece that keep it pressed against the back of the tailgate.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79261483@N08/10335461625/" title="Untitled by turnnow, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/10335461625_515b146667.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

This shot shows the underside of the drivers side of the spoiler. That red slotted area in the upper left is the 'slot' that goes around the round plastic tab in the previous picture. You can see the connector from the Center Lamp pigtail. It's held onto the spoiler by a metal tab. You can just pull on the connector and it will slide off the tab.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79261483@N08/10335472356/" title="Untitled by turnnow, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5540/10335472356_c82671d2a7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

Unscrew the two philips screws hold the center lamp in place. Pull the old one out carefully. Having some sort of plastic pry device to pop it out will help. When inserting the replacement, it has a tab that requires it to be slid in a certain way. Just fiddle with it. It's easy to figure out.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/79261483@N08/10335463675/" title="Untitled by turnnow, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/10335463675_5d30a37536.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

That's about it really. Only took about 15 minutes. Easy, but a strange way to repair a brake light being out.

The tough part seems to be finding a replacement for a reasonable price.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Chuckles89
Chuckles89's 1989 4Runner Resto-Mod!
Replies
3
Views
3K
4runner_kid
4runner_kid
Kmurt
Gas Tank Replacement Journey
2
Replies
23
Views
14K
brillo_76
brillo_76
Inverted States
Project Hobo Budget Overland
2
Replies
24
Views
12K
9mmParabellum
9
ArmArak
USC Rocket Propulsion Lab New Mexico Trip
Replies
1
Views
1K
Endlessblockades
Endlessblockades
R
Blaze Yellow Build
Replies
6
Views
2K
ricerulz
R

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 492 (members: 0, guests: 492)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,316
Messages
3,554,105
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top