3rd Brake Light Cover & Light

[kenna325is]

How do I get the darn cover off on an '00 328ci? It the brake light at the top of the rear window. I don't want to break it. Also, the light has randomly been not working, I hoping just a loose wire, but has anyone replaced?

Thanks!
Brittany

[Stinger9]

extends that far. Reference the recent post just a few lines down that remains unanswered to date.
Back in time
And typically Bentley doesn't cover something as trivial (and universally questioned!) as this.
I'd say the only way this comes off is to pull it off, but who among us wants to be the first to snap our light off?

[Stinger9]

And found that they say all sedans and coupes are equipped with LED third brake lights. Then the following quote appears:

"Gently pry off trim cover over third brake light" working from the rear seat. So apparently it just pries off and then snaps back on.
There is a wiring harness plug and some clips which hold the unit in place against the roof.
Use a tool without sharp edges when attempting this.

Let us know how you make out when your try this?

[kenna325is]

I suppose I will be the guinea pig for all E46 owners and attempt to pry it off :) Thanks for the info, upgraded from an e36 but havent upgraded my Bentley yet.

[Stinger9]

the best price I know of for Bentley is:

HERE

[Ron K]

[Stinger9]

fell out when she tried to pry. Now too devastated and heartbroken to talk to anyone about this!

[Ron K]

After waiting for advice that never came, I decided to be the guinea pig on this procedure. It couldn't have been easier:

NO TOOLS REQUIRED.

There are plastic clips that are attached to the front corners of the fabric cover that snap into the metal roof frame. You will not hurt the headliner. The worse thing you can do is break a clip off the cover. There are only two clips.

1)Using your hand only, slip your fingers in-between the cover and the headliner at the front corners of the cover and pull down one corner at a time. Increase force until the clips pop out of their holes. That's it!

If you want to clean the glass under the CHMSL or replace the unit, you can easily remove the CHMSL housing:

NO TOOLS REQUIRED.

The removed fabric cover will expose the mounting points for the CHMSL housing. There are black plastic "locks" on each side of the unit that hold the unit against the glass. There are two metal clips bonded to the glass that the locks slide onto.

1)Slide one of the plastic locks off towards the side of the car.
2)Slide the unit off in the direction of the removed lock.
3)Remove the other lock still attached to the metal clip.

After cleaning the dirty glass and the inside of the dusty housing, simply reverse the procedure:

1)Place the CHMSL unit centered between the metal clips on the glass.
2)Slide the locks onto the clips securing the unit to the glass
3)Snap the cover into the roof

THAT'S IT!

I should have done this earlier. Have fun cleaning your glass.

[kenna325is]

Just waiting until this weekend after I do my brakes :)

[Stinger9]

Good Luck