[discocubizm]

I took my Elise for VA inspection last week and was failed because my third brake light does not work. I removed it from the car and checked it with a multimeter and it is the brake light unit not the wiring to it.

I contacted Robert Konick at Lotus Garage and he said that these are on backorder and the original ETA for a new supply was 7/13 so it doesn't sound like the OEM part will be available any time soon.

After doing a little research on this site someone claimed that the third brake light is the same part found on the Saab 9-3 (1999-2003) Part #4673257. There are several of these for sale on eBay but it does not look like the Lotus third brake light. Please see attached pic.

Has anyone actually used the Saab third brake light to replace the OEM one?

Is there a way to replace the LED strip in the original light? It seems to be a sealed unit with no way of opening it up.

If anyone has a temporary solution I would greatly appreciate it. Need to get this car back on the road!

I sent an email to the Perei Group which is the name imprinted on the back of the third brake unit to see if they had any extras sitting in their store room.

Thanks!

 

[yellow99s]

Just stick a red led strip light from walmarts automotive department on the existing third brake light. Should pass just fine.

 

[rsamani]

Or borrow another unit from a friend's car.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[bri3d]

You can try mylotusgarage.com . They're a GM dealer who started carrying Lotus OEM. Not affiliated with them but I did have good luck getting some OEM trim from them cheaper and more easily than from Lotus Garage. They're not the fastest at shipping but they're US based so it still doesn't take too long (took about 2.5wks for me).

Their website is totally wacky so you might have to email them. I think their Lotus guy is on the forum too as they're a vendor/sponsor.

 

[discocubizm]

Thanks everyone.

I found a cheap third brake light on Amazon ($7) that comes with mounts that have double sided foam tape. Looks like this will work in the meantime.

I will email mylotusgarage to see if they can get an OEM one.

 

[ksm]

Might want to also try EuroMotorcars in Bethesda. Maybe they have one in stock. Lotus Dealer in Bethesda Maryland - EuroMotorcars Lotus

 

[Nessal]

Don't even bother contacting the manufacturer as they arr freaking worthless.

 

[lotus_dp]

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f95/fs-3rd-brake-light-195257/

 

[Gunpilot]

Buy any cheap LED strip, tape it over the old one, wire it in.

That will get you atleast a pass!