I have a 1982 automatic. I am tearing out the interior because it had a leaky sunroof and rear hatch. I have found that the third brake light in the hatch is apparently spliced into the rear brake light harness but down near the actual brake lights. Seems odd to splice back there and run a wire back up to the light. It's a very small gauge wire as well...maybe 22 guage. Is there a chance my hatch is not from a 1982? What year did third brake light first appear? Thanks for any enlightenment!

 

I don't know what year was the first to have a third brake light, but it was not offered in MY82 to the best of my knowledge.

 

I think 85 or 86 was the first year of the third brake light.

 

since there are no feeds for the 3rd brake light in the roof harness for your year,
the only place for that to be connected would be at one of the rear lights.

3rd light was introduced in 85/86

What color is your car?

If you had a leaking sunroof ,
then you may still need to replace the drip tray thats bolted to the rear edge of the sunroof sliding portion.
This will direct water into the drains ,
with a dark car the plastic will get very hot and then crack from the sun heating the roof

 

Does not necessarily mean a newer hatch. Could be a third light retrofit by the PO.

 

My 84 has a third brake light installed that I don't really like the looks of. If it wasn't original I'd consider removing it. Can you guys confirm that '85 was the first year that it was put into production.

 

1986 was the year they became mandatory in the US, and I think that is when they first appeared from the factory on US 928's.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/regr...te/808696.html

 

Thanks all.

MrMerlin: car was originally blue but was repainted in a metallic white that I believe is a Lexus color. Looks nice, actually. I will need to upgrade my account so I can begin posting pics.

I'll have to poke around and see if it's a retrofit or not. From what I can tell the entire hatch was painted and i don't see evidence of blue anywhere on it. So maybe it was a different hatch?? Oh well.

I appreciate the thoughts! Thanks