How to Change the Third Brake Light on a 1988 Corvette

The Corvette first hit showrooms in the 1953 model year. Unfortunately, the first Corvette arrived as a bit of a dud. It included a 235-cubic-inch, in-line six-cylinder engine that only produced 150 horsepower. Transferring the power to the rear wheels was a two-speed automatic transmission; this added insult to injury for the inaugural Corvette. By 1956, however, the Corvette had become a legitimate performance vehicle with its 210-horsepower, 265-cubic-inch V-8 engine. The 1988 Corvette came fitted with a 5.7-liter V-8 that produced 245 horsepower. It came fitted with disc brakes and antilock brakes to keep you safe. Another brake safety item on the Corvette was the third brake light mounted in the rear-center of the car. Replacing the bulb in the rear-center brake light is relatively easy.

Instructions

Open the rear hatch and locate the two Torx head bolts at the top of the hatch. Remove the screws, using a ratchet and Torx-bit socket.

Lower the hatch and pull the high-mount brake light assembly upward. Remove the two Phillips screws from the underside of the high-mount brake light assembly.

Pull the high-mount taillight assembly from the trim panel. If needed, lightly pry the assembly with a flat-head screwdriver, but use extreme caution not to break the assembly.

Grab the burnt-out bulb(s) -- the assembly has a total of three bulbs -- and pull them from the socket with a slight wiggling motion.

Grab a new 891 bulb with a clean lint-free cloth and press it into the socket. Do not touch the glass part of the bulb with your bare hands, as the oils on your hands can cause the bulb to burn out prematurely.

Reinstall the high-mount taillight assembly on the trim panel and tighten the screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

Set the assembly and trim panel back on top of the rear hatch. Open the hatch and snug the Torx head bolts with a ratchet and Torx-bit socket. Close the Corvette's hatch.

Remove the license plate and license plate bracket, using a ratchet and socket.

Reach behind the rear fascia through the hole located above the place where the license plate was and disconnect the wiring harness from the rear of the third brake light assembly. Remove the two screws holding the third brake light assembly, using a ratchet and socket.

Pull the third brake light assembly downward, so that it hangs from the hole above the license plate. Grab the bulb socket on the rear of the third brake light assembly and turn it counterclockwise to remove it.

Grab the 3057 taillight bulb and pull it from the socket with a slight wiggling motion. Grab the new bulb by its plastic base and press it into the socket. Don't touch the glass part of the bulb with your bare hands.

Reinstall the bulb and socket into the rear of the third brake light assembly and turn the socket clockwise to lock it in place.

Guide the high-mount brake light assembly back into place in the rear fascia, then tighten the screws with a ratchet and socket. Plug the wiring harness back into the rear of the high-mount brake light assembly.

Set the license plate bracket on the rear fascia, then tighten the bolts with a ratchet and socket. Place the license plate on the bracket and tighten its bolts with a ratchet and socket.