3rd brake light

[jlat]

hello people: That's a thing you don't think about unless it's broke. Well mine needs a clean up. How is it installed? Is it just a few screws? Legally do you have to have it? Anyone remove it?
IBBY

 

[565bbchevy]

Legally it should be there if it was factory. there are 2 screws on the sides that hold it to the mounting bracket and the harness just unplugs and it is easily disassembled for cleaning and bulb replacement but many times the bulb overheats and melts the socket so this might need replacing or repair.
You can also do a LED bulb or an LED conversion on these.

 

[69hurstolds]

Federal law mandated that 1986 and newer passenger cars be factory outfitted with a third brake light, aka the CHMSL. The 1985 Olds Cutlass brochure listed it as a dealer-installed option. While you probably won't get pulled over for specifically not having a lamp there, if your state has inspections for registration, etc., you may not pass a visual. It's treated as a piece of safety equipment. Again, so far and few between on seeing G-bodies on the road nowadays, cops may not know or even care if you see your 3rd light isn't there. As long as your main taillights have a brake light on each side, you'd probably be fine. No guarantees.

And a note on these 3rd Eye Brake Lights for Olds G47 G-bodies...

GM p/n 5974464, paint to match.

 

[scarborough]

Federal law mandated that 1986 and newer passenger cars be factory outfitted with a third brake light, aka the CHMSL. The 1985 Olds Cutlass brochure listed it as a dealer-installed option. While you probably won't get pulled over for specifically not having a lamp there, if your state has inspections for registration, etc., you may not pass a visual. It's treated as a piece of safety equipment. Again, so far and few between on seeing G-bodies on the road nowadays, cops may not know or even care if you see your 3rd light isn't there. As long as your main taillights have a brake light on each side, you'd probably be fine. No guarantees.

And a note on these 3rd Eye Brake Lights for Olds G47 G-bodies...

GM p/n 5974464, paint to match.

View attachment 174369

where are you getting your diagrams from im looking for a book that show images of parts

 

[JAMCAR223]

where are you getting your diagrams from im looking for a book that show images of parts

Manuals like these.

 

[scarborough]

Manuals like these.

View attachment 175232
View attachment 175233

thanks for response I'll see if I can find them on Ebay

 

[69hurstolds]

Make sure you get them for your specific year/model. While much is the same, sometimes, they're different.

 

[tkruger]

In NYS I had to change the bulb in mine to pass inspection last year. For a car this old it is check all lights, make sure the emissions equipment is there, seatbelts work, tires are good and both the regular and parking breaks work. I also failed the first year I had it because the prior owners dog chewed the middle rear seat belt. Had to replace that to pass. On a car this old it is all visual other than the breaks. Those they make sure that it holds when giving it a little gas for the parking break and that the front pads have life left.