How to remove the panel that surrounds the 3rd brake light?

[anthony01]

On the exterior of a 997 Carrera coupe, I need to remove the panel that is directly underneath the rear window (it houses the third brake light). The only real instructions that I've found online were:

1. Open the engine compartment lid

2. Remove the 3 torx screws holding the rear panel above the engine hatch

( which contains the brake light assembly )

Anyone know if there is a step 3? I removed the three T30 screws, but I still can't get the panel off -- it's stuck. You can see my hand in one of the attached pictures lifting it as much as it will go before it won't budge any further.

Is it supposed to just lift right off after taking the screws out or is there a trick?

[Loren]

:welcome:

There are the 3 Torx screws which you found.

Towards the outside edge on each side are a nut and washer covered by a sound adsorbent material. Remove the material and take the nuts and washers off (in the recess).

[anthony01]

Hi, thanks for the welcome and reply! I was referred over here from 6speedonline and was actually told you specifically would probably know the answer to my question. :D So I appreciate the reply very much as nobody seemed to know the answer. I will report back when I take it off! -Anthony

[PAULSPEED]

There is a clip that also holds it on. Here is a picture

of the clip.

Paul

[anthony01]

Thanks for that Paul. Would you happen to have a diagram of how the nuts are positioned (the ones that Loren is talking about that are in a recess after you pull the insulation off)? I pulled the insulation off the top of the engine compartment and found a rubber grommet (only tried this on one side so far), which I pulled out. There is then a recess that you can put a finger into, but no nut up in there, just a hard piece of plastic with more insulation. Hopefully I found the correct area, but I don't know how to proceed if I did. Would definitely like to see a picture if you have one. Thanks -Anthony

[Loren]

[anthony01]

Thanks a lot Loren, it is much appreciated! Just wanted to let you know that I saw your reply and am still working on it. There is something in the way of getting at the nuts on the underside... I think it's because this car had previous bodywork in this area (I'm the 2nd owner) and they didn't put it back together the way the factory had it. But I'm not giving up, just have to remove more than usual so I can obtain better access to the area to see what's blocking me! -Anthony

[mtef]

Is it possible to remove the third brake light without removing the panel? My third brake light has moisture inside the lens, I would like to clean it up.

Thanks

Thanks a lot Loren, it is much appreciated! Just wanted to let you know that I saw your reply and am still working on it. There is something in the way of getting at the nuts on the underside... I think it's because this car had previous bodywork in this area (I'm the 2nd owner) and they didn't put it back together the way the factory had it. But I'm not giving up, just have to remove more than usual so I can obtain better access to the area to see what's blocking me! -Anthony

[Loren]

Is it possible to remove the third brake light without removing the panel? My third brake light has moisture inside the lens, I would like to clean it up.

Thanks

Thanks a lot Loren, it is much appreciated! Just wanted to let you know that I saw your reply and am still working on it. There is something in the way of getting at the nuts on the underside... I think it's because this car had previous bodywork in this area (I'm the 2nd owner) and they didn't put it back together the way the factory had it. But I'm not giving up, just have to remove more than usual so I can obtain better access to the area to see what's blocking me! -Anthony

You could on the 996 but I don't think so on the 997-1. But in the 996 they were bulbs and in the 997-1 they are LEDs

Check your owners manual - if you can it is there in the bulb replacement section.

[PAULSPEED]

This is what is says in the owner's manual.

Additional brake lights

The light-emitting diodes of the additional brake

lights cannot be replaced individually.

f Have the defective brake light replaced at an

authorized Porsche dealer.

Paul

[deptotpr]

Fiqures. Ha.