6 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCH3rd brakelight and spoiler the same? Options?
Leading reported evidence
Replace bulbs, what a rickety thing
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I took it apart, replaced the bulbs, what a rickety thing.
Leading evidence: 'Replace bulbs, what a rickety thing' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check before you buy' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Gave it 12V to test and the same bulbs I replaced weren't lit - jiggled it and then they lit and others stopped LOL.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Some vendors include both and some you need to purchase the small piece separately so check before you buy.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
6 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261027T060112Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
A friend was following me and noticed a bulb in my spoiler brake light was not illuminating when I hit the brakes.
I removed the unit and wow, not exactly the most solidly built item. Gingerly pulling it apart resulted in 2 broke tab-ears and the copper "strips" the bulbs are attached to inside are pretty loose and not snug inside. The part # is 996.631.050.00 and a quick internet search shows hits for the standard (non-spoiler) brake light. Are they indeed the same?
Is there a recommended replacement for it? The 3rd brake-light has a small crack and I was thinking of replacing it anyhow.. but not sure if I want to go OEM if there is maybe a better aftermarket unit. A quick ebay search shows LED replacements, but not sure if that's a road I want to go down or not.
Spud, yes they are identical and not overly robust. I have rebuilt two of them but eventually replaced them with new OEM (I'm not a fan of updating the car to LED personally). I think the heat from the engine bay and just plain age eventually breaks down the plastic enough that while you can rebuild them with glues tapes, etc. they just don't feel right. You can buy the bulbs at any auto store. I don't remember the number off hand but I may have a package still in the garage if you have trouble finding the number.
Also, that part number is for the light assembly with bulbs and pad but does not include the little reflector strip that covers the lock tab. If you go new, you may want to replace it as well if your current lenses are worn. Some vendors include both and some you need to purchase the small piece separately so check before you buy.
Thanks very much for the reply. Yeah, I'm not a fan of LEDs either. I've heard of the difference in resistance/wattage causing issues with other cars. Not sure about the 911. Might try to salvage this, if not I'll order a couple of new OEM assemblies. Thanks for the heads-up on the little reflector cover.
LEDs cause problems for the 996s as well. There are fixes, like adding resistors to raise the resistance enough to fool the ECU into seeing working bulbs. You can get the LEDs to work fine and many vendors now include the resistors.
I took it apart, replaced the bulbs, what a rickety thing. Gave it 12V to test and the same bulbs I replaced weren't lit - jiggled it and then they lit and others stopped LOL. Finally decided I was just going to get a new one since it was pretty cruddy so I put it back in, didn't work at all once I hooked it up. Took it apart again, gave it 12V, it lit up so I reinstalled it. Still wouldn't work, repeated 3x finally I think with enough jostling I decided to work and only 1 bulb wasn't working. Still going to replace it.
I had basically the same experience. After a lot of different glues, bending tabs, several tapes and a lot of time on the workbench I got both units working but I just knew that the first time I hit a bump I'd be right back where I started. They are not the most robust units I have ever encountered. AND... the new ones look identical just still in one piece. It doesn't look like they upgraded anything over the years.
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
