I found a small crack on my 3rd brake light -LED panel (basket handle type) on my '96 Targa. My garage wants to charge me about US$ 160. for the replacement, does this sound high?

Can someone recommend a website or company I can mail order the part and replace myself?

Is this a difficult job?

 

I've taken the one on my '95 Coupe apart to wire/solder in new bulbs. Open the engine lid, you'll see the nuts at each end holding it in. Unbolt them and carefully lift out the handle assembly. I assume you just have the red reflector to replace. Look under the unit; you should find two screws holding the refector and circuit board in place in the handle. Undo these, the reflector and circuit board will come out as a unit. At this point it is best to unplug the stop light bulb assembly and do the rest of the work on a workbench.

There will be some screws at the back of the reflector assembly. Unod these, and the reflector, bulb assembly circuit board, and back cover should all separate.

Call/E-mail some outlets and compare prices on the reflector (can't do ALL your work!)

For you numuts who will ask about the bulb replacement - buy the 1996 Tech Bulletin Compilation - all info in there. Only thing I did was try an experiment using no. 74 bulbs rather than the OE no. 999 631 135 90 ($2.20 for a stupid bulb!). Can be used at some locations by prying the wire leads away from the bulb face, but they are bigger than OE and don't fit all of the 20 or so bulb locations. Also, make sure you know how to solder printed circuits!

 

[quote]Originally posted by Ray Calvo:
<strong>OE no. 999 631 135 90 ($2.20 for a stupid bulb!)</strong><hr></blockquote>

That's the same bulb for the 96+ windshield 3rd brake light also. I paid $3.75 for each bulb! Fortunately, I only had to get a few.

I would think that diy is very easy. Here's a link to a 96+ windshield bulb replacement.

<a href="http://p-car.com/diy/3rd/" target="_blank">http://p-car.com/diy/3rd/</a>

I know that it's now the basket handle, but you can probably get a sense of how the inner workings of the light fit together.

As far as online parts supplies, check out:

<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com" target="_blank">www.pelicanparts.com</a>

<a href="http://www.suncoastporsche.com" target="_blank">www.suncoastporsche.com</a>

I'd get a quote from them before giving away $160 to your mechanic.

Jeff

 

Thanks for the advise, I will give it a try!


Great forum!