Dreaded 9th gen Malibu 3rd brake light issue.

[R18Civic]

A couple weeks ago I was driving at night and it sounded like a rock smacked into my rear window. Fast forward to yesterday and I ended finding a crack in my 3rd brake light.

It's not under any warranty and the dealer wants $800 to fix.

I'm going to have an independent shop do it, however I'm wondering if there's an alternative part # that fixes the issue or not.

 

[R18Civic]

 

[John105]

The light is not that expensive. Is it difficult to install?

https://www.getoemparts.com/oem-parts/gm-high-mount-stop-lamp-42795725

 

[R18Civic]

The light is not that expensive. Is it difficult to install?

https://www.getoemparts.com/oem-parts/gm-high-mount-stop-lamp-42795725

I've been told you must remove the headliner.

 

[JHZR2]

I've been told you must remove the headliner.

Headliner can be scary. Not sure how fat you might be, but twisting around in the back seat can be painful too... That said, not sure the indy is worth the risk if the savings arent substantial/compelling. A tear in the headliner, or a sag, or whatever can be $$$ or cause bad feelings in the end. Id want to know that the Indy is well versed.

 

[R18Civic]

Headliner can be scary. Not sure how fat you might be, but twisting around in the back seat can be painful too... That said, not sure the indy is worth the risk if the savings arent substantial/compelling. A tear in the headliner, or a sag, or whatever can be $$$ or cause bad feelings in the end. Id want to know that the Indy is well versed.

Lol I'm a gordita supreme.

 

[John105]

Headliner can be scary. Not sure how fat you might be, but twisting around in the back seat can be painful too... That said, not sure the indy is worth the risk if the savings arent substantial/compelling. A tear in the headliner, or a sag, or whatever can be $$$ or cause bad feelings in the end. Id want to know that the Indy is well versed.

Can you say “fat” on the forum?!

 

[zfasts03]

gotta be a youtube video on how to sneak it out and in without full headliner removal.

 

[benjamming]

Or just not replace it? Is that ticket worthy though?

 

[R18Civic]

Or just not replace it? Is that ticket worthy though?

Water can get inside and fry the red led bar

 

[KrisZ]

Here you go, super easy and the headliner only needs to be lifted away a little.

 

[Number_35]

Water can get inside and fry the red led bar

Silicone over and into the crack?

 

[R18Civic]

Here you go, super easy and the headliner only needs to be lifted away a little.

Thank you kind sir.

 

[Dave9]

Silicone over and into the crack?

Water can get inside and fry the red led bar

Am I right in assuming that this assembly has the LED light bar integrated, included when buying a new 3rd brake light housing that it comes with a new LED strip instead? I would have assumed so, but then does it matter if it leaks and frys it later if you tried to just patch what you have now?

If so then I would try to shoot some compressed air in there and keep it out of rain/snow/ice for as long as possible to try to make sure it is as dry inside as reasonably possible, then find some sensor safe (non-acid cure) RTV sealant with a fine tip applicator nozzle, and be generous about how much you squeeze into the crack, behind, and under it trying to make a complete seal.

If it fails later, you just replace the light bar as was originally the topic. If it's the right part, looks like aftermarket Dorman is $64 on amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-923-355-Center-Compatible-Chevrolet/dp/B09SKGJV72

Then again if this is a compatible GM part, it's only $90. Multiple potentially compatible parts on amazon have customers stating that they are easy to install.
https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-84277408-Original-Equipment-Replacement/dp/B07J9YGZNQ

Would it be fun contorting yourself to put it in? No, but does look like it can be done without taking the whole headliner down, might not be too bad if you have a trim tool to pop the headliner rivets in the back just to get that end loose, then work blind to take the nuts off the studs on the light bar assembly. The videos that KrisZ linked, state there are 3 nuts.

If you have trouble getting those nuts off or putting them back on the new light bar, call out a mobile mechanic at that point and they should fix you up for around ~$150 more. Once you have the replacement light bar, it should be easier to guesstimate where those studs and nuts on the back are for removal and re-installation.

 

[RhondaHonda]

Get a PDR guy to drop the headliner for you for cheap. Or just put some clear tape or wrap over the crack in the light.

 

[R18Civic]

My buddy recommended a mobile mechanic. I'll hear back from him soon. I'll update. Plan on buying light bar and having MM install.

 

[Wylie6G72]

'15-up Mustangs have this issue, including my last one. I didn't have to remove the headliner, I just had to pull it down in the back enough to give me room for a small socket wrench to loosen the bolts to the light. From there, it was using trim tools to pry it off the platform above the window. I broke it getting it off, but who cares. Really wasn't a hard job, just use a good sealer when you put the new one on.

 

[R18Civic]

'15-up Mustangs have this issue, including my last one. I didn't have to remove the headliner, I just had to pull it down in the back enough to give me room for a small socket wrench to loosen the bolts to the light. From there, it was using trim tools to pry it off the platform above the window. I broke it getting it off, but who cares. Really wasn't a hard job, just use a good sealer when you put the new one on.

I can't contort myself in such a manner to fix this one.

I must sit in the back seat after lowering the headliner, lift myself up with my calfs and push my torso towards the rear window. Remove 3 nuts. Reverse. I will be feeling so much burn I might as well be in a burn barrel.

My gordita supreme joke aint no joke, I weigh 350 at 6ft 1in.

 

[Silverado12]

JB Weld makes a special two part clear epoxy just for plastic. That's how I would fix it if it's just a crack.

 

[Silverado12]

Caulking strips is what we used at the body shop. I forgot about this stuff. Wrap a little around the studs on the light so it seals up any holes where the light attaches to the body.