I have a 1990 2 dr honda accord. I am new to honda-tech.com and I have searched the archives for related information on this problem. However, I have not found any definitive solution.

I've had my accord since Aug. and when I got it the rear window brake light was out. The seller told me he had replaced the bulb and could not get it working. Being a computer engineering student, I have a DMM so I pulled it out and tested for power getting to the socket when the brakes were depressed. I am not getting anything.

I understand that the 3rd light is ran off one of the rear brake lights.. and I would guess the driver side light as it looks like (inside the trunk) that the wire bundle leading up to it splits off from the left direction (top of the Y shaped junction faces right- if you understand). I took the connector apart on the drivers side and tested the wires to see which were which (turn signal, brakes, lights, ground-black). I did not however deduce where the 3rd brake light actually tied in. I saw in the archives someone mention an inline fuse to the 3rd light under one of the covers in the trunk. I searched for this and was unable to find any evidence of an extra fuse.

There is an extra socket that does get power which is right next to the 3rd lamp (I guess for a spoiler light if I had one?) I don't really want to rig it up to work from this connector though.

It seems that this could be a common problem with this generation of accord. I'm sure someone has had a similar problem with the 3rd brake light and has found the solution and I'm hoping someone on this site can point me in the correct direction and save me a lot of time.

Also - I have checked every fuse under the dash and hood- they are all good. That light is the only one which does not work and the horn works fine also.

Thanks for any help, and if anyone has wiring diagrams from a book etc.. and would scan them and send them to me that would be great.

 

If I'm not mistaken, the 90 model has a small plug that connects to a little chipboard on the drivers side rear brake light in the trunk. This controlls voltage to the other lights....but I don't think that it is fused. There is no way to test it so if you have a buddy that has a 90-94 accord, just try his to see if it will fix the problem. The chipboard is bolted to the light itself with 8mm bolts I believe.

 

I checked out that board.. it has a diode and it looks like 2 solenoid switches.. I've not got much time to really trace wires/board.. any other suggestions?