No 3rd brake light won't pass inspection?

RVA_TJ06 · 01-31-2011, 09:04 AM

I haven't had one on in years. My tire carrier doesn't have a spot where the factory could have fit. I had a guy doing my state inspections but no longer in the area. Took it to the dealer and they said it won't pass without the brake light. Anyone have an ideas on a 3rd brake light option? I was thinking of

and fitting it into the lower valence of the tailgate.. Anyone have any ideas?

Contra · 01-31-2011, 09:12 AM

bummer. they are not required to pass here in my county, I do inspections as well
post up a pic of the rear of your jeep and we will try to give you ideas

**Whybu1** · 01-31-2011, 09:16 AM

As long as it is the proper height and connected to the brakelight power circuit almost any red light will do. Mine is made from a foam cupholder and a trailer LED. It fits in the center of the spare tire.

**Rubikahn** · 01-31-2011, 09:18 AM

Here's a link to a write up for a very clean looking install. http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f140/...illing-452469/

stuff2c · 01-31-2011, 10:04 AM

i have one in the center of my wheel as well... fairly simple once you get a round lite. only down side is i can't use my bike carrier anymore, it had a permanent piece that stuck out though the hole .

that reminds me i need to find a hitch one on Criagslist

**TheBoogieman** · 01-31-2011, 10:28 AM

$3 Advance auto light held in place with silicone just to pass inspection in that dreaded Va state and their inspections.

Best4x4 · 01-31-2011, 10:56 AM

Go somewhere else besides the dealer. The reason they said you'd fail was because they know it came with a 3rd brake light. Go to an independent inspection place where they don't know Jeep's all that well. Worth a shot anyways.

I know it worked for a friend of mine. He had a YJ Body on a TJ frame and they would have had to run an OBDII test on it since it's an 05 TJ really (CEL light is on due to some YJ/TJ modifying). He went to an independent inspection place and they didn't run an OBDII test on it because they thought it was truly was YJ (with coil springs all the way around it lol).

**Whybu1** · 01-31-2011, 11:10 AM

Third brake lights have been around to long for a place to "not know".

MONSooNmonkey · 01-31-2011, 11:15 AM

In pa you only need 2 brake lights so if one goes out you can still pass inspection but they will tell you yuh need to replace the light bulb. Its more of a back up just incase than anything.

VTJeePTJ · 01-31-2011, 12:32 PM

Yep I failed in VA one year for no 3rd brake light. Rigged up a temp light to get it pass then took it back off. Took it to a different place last two years in a row and passed without it (knock on wood). Either way, it shouldn't be too difficult to rig up something temporary (or permanent). Tractor supply has a pretty good variety of different size LED lights that should work fine if you find a way to mount it. With my tire carrier, I just used a round LED that fit in the hub area of the spare wheel where the center cap would normally go. Worked fine but I eventually pinched the wires and haven't wired it back up since then.

**Whybu1** · 01-31-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MONSooNmonkey

In pa you only need 2 brake lights so if one goes out you can still pass inspection but they will tell you yuh need to replace the light bulb. Its more of a back up just incase than anything.

Code actually only addresses the two side brake lights (both must work)
(e) Other required lamps. A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall have at least one red stop lamp on each side of rear of vehicle, which shall be illuminated immediately upon application of the service brake. http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/06...5/s175.66.html

Then again further down the code is the following vague statement about lights:

(9) Check the lamps and lenses and
REJECT IF one or more of the following
apply:
(i) An exterior bulb or sealed beam, if
originally equipped or installed, fails
to light properly, except ornamental
lights.

A missing third brake light would obviously "fail to light" so...

stuff2c · 01-31-2011, 01:06 PM

we just put every piece of SH!T that rolls on the roads here in floriduh. just lucky i guess

MONSooNmonkey · 01-31-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whybu1

Code actually only addresses the two side brake lights (both must work)
(e) Other required lamps. A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall have at least one red stop lamp on each side of rear of vehicle, which shall be illuminated immediately upon application of the service brake. http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/06...5/s175.66.html

Then again further down the code is the following vague statement about lights:

(9) Check the lamps and lenses and
REJECT IF one or more of the following
apply:
(i) An exterior bulb or sealed beam, if
originally equipped or installed, fails
to light properly, except ornamental
lights.

A missing third brake light would obviously "fail to light" so...

Yeah but not many inspection garages here are to the letter. If it isn't insane and it is safe you are good to go, if you do something retarded then you have an issue. IE: cutting off your roof to your cherokee haha.

As for the 3rd light, I have never had one burn out (knock on wood) but they look at the main lights. The 3rd light is more of (I have 3 brake lights and your ******* didnt' see any of them?!?!) kind of thing. If it fails to light or wasn't present when the vehicle left the factory there is nothing to worry about.

rob78 · 01-31-2011, 01:52 PM

I ended up with a Delta 3rd brake light.

Kind of a pain in the *** griding down the fittings so it would work in the lug holes of a Moab wheel, but they do work and are unobtrusive.

**john NC** · 01-31-2011, 02:06 PM

just get a 2" or whatever size light it takes to fit in your spare where the center cap goes from an auto parts store, mine was a trailer light i think. drill a hole in the factory spare tire carrier for the wire. solder or crimp the wires from the original 3rd brake light to that, stick it in the spare tire, and you should be good to go.

it's passed inspection 3 times