3rd tail light missing several bulbs?

[eepyesbian]

Is this how the center tail light is meant to look? It looks live only 1 of 4(?) of the bulbs is there. Thanks!

 

[leadfootdriver]

It appears to take 5..

More Information for STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS BTL114

 

[J_C]

Whether there were 5 or some other # in the factory 3rd light, I don't know, but yes it should have enough to illuminate nearer to the whole width of it.

I'd pull it off and see if water got inside. Might be sealed and need heated up and some prying to get it open to DIY repair, or just give up on that one and replace it. I'd try the repair first because $100+ seems like a lot for what it is, probably just some inexpensive LEDs and resistors in series that you could solder up to fix then seal it back up with RTV sealant or epoxy.

The ideal replacement LEDs (if needed, might just have some PCB trace corrosion and the LEDs are fine) color would be red. White would work but a lower % of total light will make it through the red lens.

 

[eepyesbian]

Whether there were 5 or some other # in the factory 3rd light, I don't know, but yes it should have enough to illuminate nearer to the whole width of it.

I'd pull it off and see if water got inside. Might be sealed and need heated up and some prying to get it open to DIY repair, or just give up on that one and replace it. I'd try the repair first because $100+ seems like a lot for what it is, probably just some inexpensive LEDs and resistors in series that you could solder up to fix then seal it back up with RTV sealant or epoxy.

The ideal replacement LEDs (if needed, might just have some PCB trace corrosion and the LEDs are fine) color would be red. White would work but a lower % of total light will make it through the red lens.

I looked and found some cheep ones for 30 or so on Amazon. Not sure if I trust them, but this car has 200,000 miles on it, so I wouldnt be surprised if it just plain went out. Also, no other tails have water damage, and this car was garage'd before I got it. (Family friend, so I trust). I will pull it off though. Partly just for fun.