Remove 3rd Brake Light

index411 · 8th September 2009, 09:51 AM

How do you remove the 3rd brake light housing (back window)?
Any DIY around that someone could point me to?

ragazzi_07 · 8th September 2009, 10:03 AM

why would you want to do that? for tinting purposes?

index411 · 8th September 2009, 10:09 AM

yes, exactly. my tint shop didn't know how to remove the 3rd brake light and cut the tint around it. they offered to retint it if i showed them how to remove the cover.

index411 · 8th September 2009, 02:41 PM

anyone?

maxpowers · 8th September 2009, 03:41 PM

My tint shop tinted around the third brake light and it looks really good. Tinting over the light would reduce its brightness. Sorry I'm no help on how to remove it.

morski · 9th September 2009, 10:02 AM

Pull off high-level brake light by moving cover evenly towards rear of vehicle
Unplug electrical connector
Installing
Installation is carried out in the reverse order; note the following:

– The mounting of the high-level brake light must engage evenly in guide rail on both sides.
– Slide high-level brake light evenly to front in direction of travel until it is heard to engage, taking care to keep it straight

index411 · 9th September 2009, 01:17 PM

thanks! I will try that and report back!

TJM_A5 · 9th September 2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by index411

yes, exactly. my tint shop didn't know how to remove the 3rd brake light and cut the tint around it. they offered to retint it if i showed them how to remove the cover.

Really, I'd go to another tint shop. Personally, I think that they should a) only apply the tint around the brake light and b) know how to do it...
IMHO

a5sline2010 · 11th September 2009, 11:54 AM

I got my windows tinted today, and I removed the rear light. It's VERY easy, you just pull hard towards the back of the car, and it pops right out, then unplug the light. Takes 2 seconds.

index411 · 11th September 2009, 12:26 PM

very nice car! just 2 quick questions (not breaklight related):

1.) What do you use to wax your car? Zaino?
2.) Why are your exhaust pipes all on one side??

a5sline2010 · 11th September 2009, 12:29 PM

1) I used Meguiar's NXT 2.0.
2) LOL...my car is a 2010 A5 2.0 T S-line. The new 2.0's have 2 exhaust pipes on the left. The 3.2 has quad, as well as the S5.

Cheers!

index411 · 11th September 2009, 12:39 PM

looks beautiful! now I have wax-envy...i'll have to wash/wax mine too

index411 · 11th September 2009, 02:30 PM

one more q: is it easy to reattach the light? I heard it's a bit tricky to get it back in.

maxpowers · 11th September 2009, 04:35 PM

Zaino is the bomb. Doing a coat this weekend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by index411

very nice car! just 2 quick questions (not breaklight related):

1.) What do you use to wax your car? Zaino?
2.) Why are your exhaust pipes all on one side??

a5sline2010 · 11th September 2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by index411

one more q: is it easy to reattach the light? I heard it's a bit tricky to get it back in.

Just put it back in the same way you took it out, it's not bad.
Cheers!

phantom · 11th September 2009, 07:37 PM

Nice tint job, what kinda tint is that?

phantom · 11th September 2009, 07:37 PM

oh and where abouts in Florida?

a5sline2010 · 11th September 2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantom

Nice tint job, what kinda tint is that?

Llumar 5% all around, and I live in Viera, FL near Melbourne.
Cheers!

phantom · 11th September 2009, 10:04 PM

koo, not catchin attn from them boys in blue with that 5% down there?
Orig from West Palm.
School at UCF.

audi

index411 · 14th September 2009, 09:31 AM

sweet - the removal/install of the brake light went without a hitch! Thanks!!

Question about your pics: Did you edit those in photoshop after you took them? What filters did you use?

a5sline2010 · 14th September 2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by index411

sweet - the removal/install of the brake light went without a hitch! Thanks!!

Question about your pics: Did you edit those in photoshop after you took them? What filters did you use?

Just played with the contrast and brightness a bit. In Apple iPhoto.
Cheers!

index411 · 14th September 2009, 07:49 PM

awesome, thanks!

FAI · 16th September 2009, 12:15 AM

I just tinted my car today. But when the shop pulled out the third brake light, they didn't really put the roof right. Trying to look through a tiny gap, I kinda see a white plastic nail that is supposed to go inside a housing, but I can't seem to push it in there, I don't want to force it in and snap it. So basically now I have the roof a bit sagging down due to the nail pushing it down not being in it's housing. Any similar experiences guys?

index411 · 16th September 2009, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAI

I just tinted my car today. But when the shop pulled out the third brake light, they didn't really put the roof right. Trying to look through a tiny gap, I kinda see a white plastic nail that is supposed to go inside a housing, but I can't seem to push it in there, I don't want to force it in and snap it. So basically now I have the roof a bit sagging down due to the nail pushing it down not being in it's housing. Any similar experiences guys?

I don't have the same problem, but it seems like the shop tried to lower your headliner and didn't put it back all the way. I would take it to them.
The little white "nail" you're talking about is probably a headliner clip. Does it look like this?

FAI · 16th September 2009, 11:45 AM

SoCal, yes it did look like those, but a lot longer which made the headliner bent downward to a noticeable shape.
After I posted the reply from yesterday, I went to my car, pulled out the light, VERY FRUSTRATING PROCESS!! and I had a better look through the tiny opening, so I forced it inside it's house and it was finally good to go. But then I messed up by leaving some fingerprints on where the 3rd brake light shines. Which made me go through the same frustrating process and getting the finger prints out. This is my messed up story with the light.

muck012 · 8th October 2009, 12:29 AM

thank you very much. both you and the person who started this thread. i just got my A5 a week ago, and was having trouble with the tint in the back. he cut around the brake light, but it looked horrible, so am planning to call him tomorrow and have him re-do the back.

index411 · 8th October 2009, 06:49 AM

just note that re-doing the back window is a PITA.
Make sure they know what they're doing since its a LONG process.
They have to get ALL the glue off and be extra careful not to cut any of the defroster/antenna lines.

Quote:

Originally Posted by muck012

thank you very much. both you and the person who started this thread. i just got my A5 a week ago, and was having trouble with the tint in the back. he cut around the brake light, but it looked horrible, so am planning to call him tomorrow and have him re-do the back.

muck012 · 8th October 2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by index411

just note that re-doing the back window is a PITA.
Make sure they know what they're doing since its a LONG process.
They have to get ALL the glue off and be extra careful not to cut any of the defroster/antenna lines.

thank you for the advice. i'll be sure to keep that in mind when they come over tomorrow to tint.

muck012 · 17th October 2009, 01:02 PM

took off the brake light housing, and got the tint done. looks great. thanks again guys.

muck012 · 17th October 2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAI

I just tinted my car today. But when the shop pulled out the third brake light, they didn't really put the roof right. Trying to look through a tiny gap, I kinda see a white plastic nail that is supposed to go inside a housing, but I can't seem to push it in there, I don't want to force it in and snap it. So basically now I have the roof a bit sagging down due to the nail pushing it down not being in it's housing. Any similar experiences guys?

i had that experience today. i felt the same way, so instead of trying to force it, i just started moving the tip a bit, and it went in.

8th September 2009, 09:51 AM	#1
index411 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 42	Remove 3rd Brake Light How do you remove the 3rd brake light housing (back window)? Any DIY around that someone could point me to?

8th September 2009, 03:41 PM	#5
maxpowers Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 377	My tint shop tinted around the third brake light and it looks really good. Tinting over the light would reduce its brightness. Sorry I'm no help on how to remove it. '08 S5 - Meteor Grey / Milltek Cat-back / FL Tails

9th September 2009, 10:02 AM	#6
morski Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cheshire UK Posts: 788	Pull off high-level brake light by moving cover evenly towards rear of vehicle Unplug electrical connector Installing Installation is carried out in the reverse order; note the following: – The mounting of the high-level brake light must engage evenly in guide rail on both sides. – Slide high-level brake light evenly to front in direction of travel until it is heard to engage, taking care to keep it straight Attached Thumbnails

11th September 2009, 02:30 PM	#13
index411 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 42	one more q: is it easy to reattach the light? I heard it's a bit tricky to get it back in. '09 A5 S-Line Meteor Pearl Gray

14th September 2009, 09:31 AM	#20
index411 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 42	sweet - the removal/install of the brake light went without a hitch! Thanks!! Question about your pics: Did you edit those in photoshop after you took them? What filters did you use? '09 A5 S-Line Meteor Pearl Gray

		A5_OC > Audi A5 & Audi S5 Forums > A5 & S5 Topics
Remove 3rd Brake Light

8th September 2009, 10:03 AM	#2
ragazzi_07 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Canada, Toronto Posts: 514	why would you want to do that? for tinting purposes?

8th September 2009, 10:09 AM	#3
index411 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 42	yes, exactly. my tint shop didn't know how to remove the 3rd brake light and cut the tint around it. they offered to retint it if i showed them how to remove the cover.

8th September 2009, 02:41 PM	#4
index411 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 42	anyone?

9th September 2009, 01:17 PM	#7
index411 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 42	thanks! I will try that and report back!

11th September 2009, 11:54 AM	#9
a5sline2010 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 31	I got my windows tinted today, and I removed the rear light. It's VERY easy, you just pull hard towards the back of the car, and it pops right out, then unplug the light. Takes 2 seconds.

11th September 2009, 12:26 PM	#10
index411 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 42	very nice car! just 2 quick questions (not breaklight related): 1.) What do you use to wax your car? Zaino? 2.) Why are your exhaust pipes all on one side??

11th September 2009, 12:29 PM	#11
a5sline2010 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 31	1) I used Meguiar's NXT 2.0. 2) LOL...my car is a 2010 A5 2.0 T S-line. The new 2.0's have 2 exhaust pipes on the left. The 3.2 has quad, as well as the S5. Cheers!

11th September 2009, 12:39 PM	#12
index411 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 42	looks beautiful! now I have wax-envy...i'll have to wash/wax mine too

11th September 2009, 07:37 PM	#16
phantom Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 22	Nice tint job, what kinda tint is that?

11th September 2009, 10:04 PM	#19
phantom Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 22	koo, not catchin attn from them boys in blue with that 5% down there? Orig from West Palm. School at UCF. audi

14th September 2009, 07:49 PM	#22
index411 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 42	awesome, thanks! '09 A5 S-Line Meteor Pearl Gray

16th September 2009, 12:15 AM	#23
FAI Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 97	I just tinted my car today. But when the shop pulled out the third brake light, they didn't really put the roof right. Trying to look through a tiny gap, I kinda see a white plastic nail that is supposed to go inside a housing, but I can't seem to push it in there, I don't want to force it in and snap it. So basically now I have the roof a bit sagging down due to the nail pushing it down not being in it's housing. Any similar experiences guys? A5 3.2 quattro Meteor Grey Black S-line Seats w/ Alcantara inserts - S-line - Bang & Olufsen - Technology Package - Convenience Package - Navigation - iPod Connector

16th September 2009, 11:45 AM	#25
FAI Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 97	SoCal, yes it did look like those, but a lot longer which made the headliner bent downward to a noticeable shape. After I posted the reply from yesterday, I went to my car, pulled out the light, VERY FRUSTRATING PROCESS!! and I had a better look through the tiny opening, so I forced it inside it's house and it was finally good to go. But then I messed up by leaving some fingerprints on where the 3rd brake light shines. Which made me go through the same frustrating process and getting the finger prints out. This is my messed up story with the light. A5 3.2 quattro Meteor Grey Black S-line Seats w/ Alcantara inserts - S-line - Bang & Olufsen - Technology Package - Convenience Package - Navigation - iPod Connector

8th October 2009, 12:29 AM	#26
muck012 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Downey, CA Posts: 90	thank you very much. both you and the person who started this thread. i just got my A5 a week ago, and was having trouble with the tint in the back. he cut around the brake light, but it looked horrible, so am planning to call him tomorrow and have him re-do the back.

17th October 2009, 01:02 PM	#29
muck012 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Downey, CA Posts: 90	just got the re-tint took off the brake light housing, and got the tint done. looks great. thanks again guys. 2009 3.2 Quattro/White/Black Interior/Premium Package/Technology Package/Drive Select/Navigation/B & O/Tiptronic

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