I recently noticed my 3rd brake light is out. Any suggestions on how to fix this? Will I need to replace it? Thanks in advance.

 

The whole thing is dead? Hmmmm .... this is an LED unit with several bulbs. I find it hard to believe that a) they burned out so soon and b) they all burned out at the same time. Which suggests there is a problem in the wiring up to the light rather than in the light it self.....

Sorry I can't offer better help on this but I think you got a wire break someplace......altho I have wiring diagrams they don't show the routing....

It is possible that you have a problem on the back side of the light itself or where it breaks off from the rest of the main loom. Anyone else have a clue????

BTW .... getting to the backside of this lite on cars after 07/2004 with a spoiler are reported (by Haynes) to be a PIA

This one needs some time digging and probes with a volt/ohm meter....

 

As far as I know the whole thing is not currently working. I don't know if this was out the whole time or not. I bought my car back in April (2003, used). I'll check it again when I have the chance to make sure it's really out, but I remember noticing it a while back. Thanks for the response!

 

The seal around the whole assembly can leak. I you got enough water in there it could've fried the board the LED's are mounted on. The whole thing has to be replaced, no bulbs to change.

 

So how is it removed? I know this thread is some months old but it seems as tho these LED boards are frying and has nothing todo with the vehicles wiring.. If only i could get the lense past the spoiler I could replace the LEDs but nobody seems to know how. I know the 3 hex screws under the spoiler allow the lense to pop out but there's just not enough clearance due to our spoiler. Any ideas????

 

I had mine go out a few weeks ago, it just came unplugged. Pop the boot open, there's 3 silver Torx (20ish If I remember right) screws and something to lever it up from the body, I just replugged it and taped the connection for security. Replacement should be about the same, but with a second part which is going to make it cost something, so if you were thinking about upgrading to white lenses now's the time!

 

you dont happen to have a spoiler do you? we got it done today, and it took us forever to figure out how to get the brake light out. then it took just about as long to get the new one installed. Even when you take the screws out for the spoiler, the thing doesnt move...it is double sided taped to the car. Therefore we had to squeeze the existing brake light out and maneuver the new one in. the whole job took about 45 minutes. luckily we figured it out and it works great!!

 

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I figure it's better than starting a new one.

My wife's Cooper has this problem - 3rd brake light is totally not working, and I can't get them damn thing out! Please don't tell me I have to remove the spoiler!!! This was an easy job on my MCS, but the Cooper spoiler is so much smaller there's no room to manuever the light...

 

To answer my own question - the spoiler had to be semi-removed. I unbolted it and pried it up just enough to get the 3rd brake light out. Water got in there and rusted some of the components on the circuit board inside the 3rd brake light. The chrome reflector inside there was also trashed from the dirt and water that got in. I got it working for now, but I'll be ordering a replacement - either a factory replacement from Classic MINI in OH (NAM discount!) or the aftermarket 3rd brake light from Moss...

And we're also considering putting a MCS spoiler on the Cooper now...

 

Just picked up an '06 Cooper and noticed the 3rd brake light is cracked. I can't park it in my carport just yet (although it's parked in a garage at work)...so I don't want to let any more water go in there than already has.

I checked MiniMania, but they wanted like $126 pre-shipping. Does anyone have a suggestion for another vendor?

 

Go to Moss Mini (http://www.mossmini.com/) and type in "brake light" in the search field. Select whether you have an R50 or R53. Look for "LED Third Brake Light." You can get chrome or black. Runs about $58.

 

http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=91377


I have the clear version on my car - have had it for a few years now - works great, I think it's even brighter than the stock piece.

 

I've got a 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible with a 3rd Brake lite that went totally out all at once is there a fuse for just that light? if not how do I remove the light assembly?

 

I doubt there is a fuse just for it, but could be wrong. You need to remove the trim around the window on a r52, not sure what car you have. To access the screws around the trim, lift the rear window a little by flipping up the trunk levers..

 

this is a convertible so the 3rd light is just above the rear hatch just below the convertible top.

 

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/r...lights/2QnWJFq

 

take the spoiler off. 2 nuts. Take a sharp long thin kitchen knife under the whole spoiler. Saw around it ..its 2 sided sticky seal. Then pry all around the edges of spoiler till it pops off. Just took mine off couple of days ago to replace 3rd brake light . I installed new led light. Still not working.. but anyway 2 nuts and saw though the goop on tge spoiler edges.

 

Spoiler does not need to come off entirely. Stick two plastic trim tools under it on each side of the light...

good vid on YouTube for this repair...

 

 

I recently had my third brakelight to be defective as well.

wiring issue?
I measured the voltage going to the brakelight when activated and saw it was 12.3V. So no issue there

I removed the lamp assembly and removed the printed circuit board. I measured the resistors and capacitors, which were in spec. The diode however 1n4007 had failed. Changed the diode and the brakelight was good to go.

Hope thIs helps

Br
Hannes