Bought truck used about a year ago, no problems, love the truck. When it was time for inspection everything was good except for the 3rd brake light, lamp/bulb was blown, had it replaced, rolled on. Today I was cleaning the windows and noticed a bunch of crude build up around the 3rd brake light. I couldn't get to the crude so I removed the 3rd brake light and noticed the lamp look black. Wonder if anyone else here has had the same problem? Obviously it has gotten hot enough to cook the plastic, can't see any numbers on the lamp/bulb, wouldn't think they would put in wrong lamp/bulb.

 

It seems odd that even a "wrong - too hot" bulb would do that. Considering that the brake lights come on for very short periods of time, they shouldn't get so hot. Maybe you are sitting in traffic for long times? or maybe the light is stuck on?

You don't need the P/N, any auto shop will look it up for you and give you the replacement. Another way is to get an LED since that is not a CAN bus required bulb. Here is where I got mine for the RV. http://www.m4products.com/

Edit: I just looked up the P/N in my owners manual - Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) = 921K. so M4 products has many choices, I used this in the RV because I wanted the warm incandescent look. 921-10-5630-WW Warm White Elite Series Wedge Base with Brighter Samsung 5630 LEDs

 

Those CHMSL bulbs do seem to get pretty hot, even without long times sitting in traffic. The discoloration of the bulb and the socket is not all that uncommon. The plastic appears to just be discolored, not overheated (deformed, bubbly) so I don't think you really have anything to worry about. But I do agree with installing LEDs anyway, even if just for the longevity (although, based on duty cycle, the CHMSL bulb should last a long time).

If you're going to go with an LED after confirming the light is not stuck on, go with a red LED bulb versus white. From my experience, white LEDs behind a red lens tend to be too bright and cast kind of an orange hue through the lens. Red LEDs look more natural behind the red lens.

-Rod

 

make sure you replace the gasket between the lens and body as this is a known leakage area using stock gasket

 

Thanks for the replies, I do sit in traffic frequently almost everyday five days a week. Just bought replacement bulbs/lamps, calls for 921(17.9 watts) for this year and a lower wattage 912 (12.8 watts) for earlier years.Just wondering why the regular brake lamps/bulbs not doing the same thing? I did notice the other day, early morning sitting in parking lot at work, that my interior lights would get bright then dim back to normal. I scrolled to battery screen and watched the voltage spike when they got bright and drop back to where it was prior. As far as I know this is the only lamp/bulb effected.

 

I wish I knew of a place to get a BIG FAT replacement seal for Ram 3rd brake lights.

BTW, where is the rest of your bed liner?

 

Bought the truck used at local dealership, truck came from Maryland used by county government. Bed liner was not in truck at the time but it was offered to me. I decided I would do a spray in liner myself, just haven't gotten around to it. Those plastic bed liners tend to be slippery when wet.

 

Spray is way better

 

So the other day I noticed condensation inside the LR tail light housing, a while back I posted a picture of the third brake light housing and the socket which appears to have gotten hot, this the left rear brake/turn socket.

 

I get this a couple times a year in my 2007. There is too much gap for water behind the tail lamp and not enough seal to keep moisture out. FYI, the pigtail and socket are still available through Mopar AND aftermarket.