3rd BRAKE LIGHT - GLADIATOR

[WNEWTON_kid]

Visited my local Jeep dealer for the power steering pump recall and oil change. No issues with the power steering pump - harness is okay and routed properly. No repair needed.
As part of the "multi-point inspection", I was advised that my 3rd brake light was not working, and provided an estimate of $470.33 to replace. (not a typo).
I found the brake light on Amazon for $22.79, brand is KEROMGDER with a 4.8 rating.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GC3HFHZH?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
There are several YouTube videos on this topic. I replaced the brake light in about 30 minutes. I don't consider myself an expert mechanic, maybe borderline competent. Always fact check the dealer quotes! The service advisor described the brake light replacement as a complicated process with the part listed at $126.

Sponsored

 

[Baxter]

Visited my local Jeep dealer for the power steering pump recall and oil change. No issues with the power steering pump - harness is okay and routed properly. No repair needed.
As part of the "multi-point inspection", I was advised that my 3rd brake light was not working, and provided an estimate of $470.33 to replace. (not a typo).
I found the brake light on Amazon for $22.79, brand is KEROMGDER with a 4.8 rating.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GC3HFHZH?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
There are several YouTube videos on this topic. I replaced the brake light in about 30 minutes. I don't consider myself an expert mechanic, maybe borderline competent. Always fact check the dealer quotes! The service advisor described the brake light replacement as a complicated process with the part listed at $126.

I see a lot of Gladiators with the 3rd brake light not working.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

It’s a vury complicatered pro cess. Gotta get them thar bolts unbolted and then doo hickeys gotta get undoo hickeyed so you can calibrate the flanged diode to the output regulator or the power steering pump will catch on faer. That’s an easy……… 3.78 aurs according to the repar manial. Yuuuuhuuuh sumbichpulamonkeynuts that there ain an easy task.

 

[Golf_Glad]

mine is not working either and my dealership quoted me the same price i was "wtf hell no ill pass "

 

[Janster]

I’d do the same thing….cruise Amazon and look at reviews. I mean…you could buy 16+ (rough estimate) of those to match one OEM light price.

I hope you get at least 1 year out of it……..

 

[Fpolanco]

To second @Bandit’s Lair beautifully said comment ( ), if a drunk monkey can do it, I can too...it'll just take me a bit longer!

I got mine from Amazon as well but it was the Dorman brand.

I will say this: since Jeep has a way of over-complicating the most simplest tasks, just take your time.

 

[hakoda]

Mines been non functional maybe 3 years now. I don't really think about it but for $22 maybe worth a shot

 

[CrazyCooter]

Visited my local Jeep dealer for the power steering pump recall and oil change. No issues with the power steering pump - harness is okay and routed properly. No repair needed.
As part of the "multi-point inspection", I was advised that my 3rd brake light was not working, and provided an estimate of $470.33 to replace. (not a typo).
I found the brake light on Amazon for $22.79, brand is KEROMGDER with a 4.8 rating.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GC3HFHZH?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
There are several YouTube videos on this topic. I replaced the brake light in about 30 minutes. I don't consider myself an expert mechanic, maybe borderline competent. Always fact check the dealer quotes! The service advisor described the brake light replacement as a complicated process with the part listed at $126.

Thanks for the reminder and link! Swapped mine out today in 10 mins.

That was so much better than trying to get the dealer to warranty it? Last time it was in the advisor told me about the code, yet didn't offer to gt it repaired? Great customer service and why I DIDN'T buy from them in the first place.

 

[WNEWTON_kid]

10 minutes is impressive! If I have to do it again, I might be able to cut my time in half. Maybe.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

Do guys live in states with no inspections? There are certain things about Pennsylvania that drive me nuts. Vehicle laws and state inspectors are definitely among them....

 

[CrazyCooter]

Do guys live in states with no inspections? There are certain things about Pennsylvania that drive me nuts. Vehicle laws and state inspectors are definitely among them....

Here in CA they are more worried about extorting money out of it's citizens than safety. Plus add in that requiring safety items to be repaired would put low income people at even of a disadvantage.......at least that's what they said about raising the automobile insurance minimums.

On another note, why is it that many cars 20+ years old had warning light on the dash, but our modem vehicles don't? There was a code present, but no warning? Why?

 

[WNEWTON_kid]

Do guys live in states with no inspections? There are certain things about Pennsylvania that drive me nuts. Vehicle laws and state inspectors are definitely among them....

Do guys live in states with no inspections? There are certain things about Pennsylvania that drive me nuts. Vehicle laws and state inspectors are definitely among them....

I'm in Pennsylvania as well. The sales pitch by the dealer was that my inspection was coming up in December and I wouldn't pass with the brake light not working...followed by an estimate for $470.

 

[CrazyCooter]

I'm in Pennsylvania as well. The sales pitch by the dealer was that my inspection was coming up in December and I wouldn't pass with the brake light not working...followed by an estimate for $470.

My labor guide gives .8 for the replacement......Which I think is fair. I'm more of an over achiever that has every trick tool on hand. I watched a quick video and have every tool needed in hand before I even opened the gate......

Owning one of these trucks and knowing this is an epidemic that 99.9% requires replacement of the light itself skipping the diagnostic. Customer pay would look something like $329 OTD with an OEM part. Now that there's an aftermarket option that would look more be more like $205 OTD.

I suppose if they wanted to bill an extra .5 for scanning codes and other testing, the $470 is probably inline with dealer pricing.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

I'm in Pennsylvania as well. The sales pitch by the dealer was that my inspection was coming up in December and I wouldn't pass with the brake light not working...followed by an estimate for $470.

My Wrangler was failed in it's last inspection because the rotors had surface rust on them. They were BRAND new rotors installed and then it was left to sit for two years because the clutch was toast. I bought it, fixed the transmission and took to get it inspected. They had less than 100 miles on them. But "surface rust" was the excuse to fail it. Bro the surface rust was cleaned off by the time I arrived back home from the inspection. I can't figure out how some vehicles pass inspection around here. Like, what shop are you going to?

 

[Aleph]

My 3rd brake light isn’t working, but neither is my electronic tailgate lock when I use my key fob. Do they run off the same harness?

Sponsored