245 Third Brake Light a running light?

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Old Dec 14, 2025 | 08:52 PM
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245BRIC's Avatar
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Default 245 Third Brake Light a running light?

1981 245, the third brake light works when the brakes are applied, no problem.

My question is, is the third light supposed come on with headlights as a "running light" and then get brighter when brakes are applied?
In normal nightime driving it is not illuminated. is this whe way it's supposed to work?

Thanks
 
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Old Dec 14, 2025 | 09:21 PM
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hoonk's Avatar
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From: GA
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Originally Posted by 245BRIC
My question is, is the third light supposed come on with headlights as a "running light" and then get brighter when brakes are applied?
No the 3rd brakelight should only illuminate when the brake light switch send power to it.

If there is a problem with the outer brake lights (bad connection/bad ground/wrong bulb/etc) that could make the the center brake light "glow" at the wrong time.

I'd bet if you removed the left and right brake light bulbs - the third brake light would not longer come on with the headlamps (parking lights).
 
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Old Dec 14, 2025 | 09:52 PM
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So it operates correctly.
Thank for the quick reply!
 
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Old Dec 15, 2025 | 06:05 AM
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Golden redblock's Avatar
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Default Light

Goldenblock, yes more than likely it's the wrong bulb
Happened to me several times!!

You could also try to clean up all the bulbs and apply some bulb grease on those as well.


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