high brake light bulb replacement

[hmr1979]

Originally Posted by vinniecap

HMR...that's a good question about the brake light switch.

I had my ECS light going on and off for awhile now. Finally got it fixed at the dealer yesterday, while the car was in for a TSB regarding the TPS Sensor. When they called to tell me the car was ready, they also said the 3rd brake light bulb was burnt out. I think he said it was something like 65 bucks to replace. I will be replacing that myself. Any tips to make things easier?

What ever it is - PLEASE do not do this

2006 Hyundai Sonata Center 3rd Brake Light replacement and brake fluid PSA - YouTube

2006 Hyundai Sonata Center 3rd Brake Light replacement and brake fluid PSA - YouTube

LOL --- you'll be tempted though.

But, Vinni, this is the posting that helped me.

Spencer Kelly 26 solutions May 17, 2009
You need a philips screwdriver and a flashlight, and a telescoping magnet is recommended.

the best way to do this would be to empty your trunk, and lay in the trunk on your back with your legs hanging out and your flashlight pointed up at your work.
inside the trunk directly under the stoplamp you should see a connector, disconnect that and you should see a philips screw. remove the screw.
this part is a little tricky, shine the light up and to the left so that you can see the fastener that holds the bulb into the lamp. take your screwdriver, and place the tip on the flat part that sticks off of the bulb socket and press, so that you can turn it. once the socket is released, remove the bulb socket & bulb with its wire completely.
next, about 2-3 inches to the left of the rectangle where you removed the bulb & socket you should see a hole that is covered with a black foam. remove the foam from the hole, look straight up and you will see another philips screw. remove it, i recommend using a magnet to pull it from its hole after you've loosened it almost all the way, but whatever you do, do NOT do NOT drop that screw. it is almost impossible to retrieve and if you dont, it will rattle.
once you have both screws removed, get out of the trunk and go into the backseat and lift the 3rd brakelamp assembly off of the package tray; it may need a little negotiation, but be patient, it will come out.
once you have the stoplamp assembly out of the car, take the bulb socket, it should have a long flat tip at the bottom. take a pair of dikes and cut that tip completely off. replace the bulb, and install the bulb & socket into the lamp assembly, and re-install the lamp from inside the car, slowly and carefully slding it back into place. (hint, the more of the flat tip that you cut off, the easier it will slide into place).

once the lamp is back in place, hook up the connector, and re-install the screws, and you're done.

I will give you some tips though - these are things I did wrong and wished I could have avoided.
1. Be patient
2. Do this during day time and not night time - you will need all the lighting - especially looking at the holes in the trunk
3. When you go inside the car and remove the assemble - use a ruber trim remover instead of a regular flat screwdriver -
4. When you remove the assembly, and if you have tint, be careful because you can scratch your tint - I did.
5. Whatever it is that you - Plz plz, test it out (like start the car and have a friend check if the bulb works when brakes are applied) before you re-assemble - This sounds dumb, but I did this mistake.

[kn5owa]

Originally Posted by hmr1979

What ever it is - PLEASE do not do this
2006 Hyundai Sonata Center 3rd Brake Light replacement and brake fluid PSA - YouTube
LOL --- you'll be tempted though.

But, Vinni, this is the posting that helped me.

I wouldn't have been tempted by the youtube video anyway.

But - your procedure seems to be the best I've seen yet.

I saved it for future reference

[errysherali]

I replaced the bulb several times. Trust me. Go with an led bulb. I did and its lasted about 2 years so far.

[kn5owa]

Originally Posted by errysherali

I replaced the bulb several times. Trust me. Go with an led bulb. I did and its lasted about 2 years so far.

What kind? Where do you get it? Is it an exact replacement?

[GLSonata]

I've seen so many sorento's with this issue it isn't even funny. I am convinced that there is something wrong within the 3rd brake light circuit.

[wellspd]

I removed the package tray. Seemed like the only way, but a lot of work to change a bulb.

[atikovi]

If you move just one side of the package tray forward an inch or so, that is enough to get the lamp out.