Waverlymike Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Today I went to get my 2010 Fusion inspected and they failed it because only the middle part of the third brake light (the long one over the license plate) turned on. I'm reading that only the middle is supposed to turn on. They quoted me $380 to fix this and I found a replacement online for $70. However, do I even need to replace it? Should the two outside parts to the left and right of the middle light up too?? Thanks for any advice! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueOval2010 Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Only the center section lights up. The two ends are not populated with lights. I had my out when I fixed a little rust and mine is like yours. I would pay exactly $0.00 to fix it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propwash Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 I have a 2012, and only the middle third of the high-mounted brake light illuminates. I was concerned about it when I first got the car, so I started looking at others as I was driving around. They are all like that. I don't think there's anything wrong with yours. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldo Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 The law only requires one bulb anyway, there is no reason they should have failed it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) The NYS DMV checklist of items inspected doesn't even specify the CHMSL as a separate category. All it says is that stop lamps must be operational, which yours clearly is. The DOT differentiates between stop lamps and CHMSL. As Waldo states, one red light is all that's required per DOT regs. See table III here. If they still give you a hard time, get the NY registered repair shop no. off the sign they're required to display and contact the DMV. Edited January 5, 2016 by drolds1 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waverlymike Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) Thanks guys, super helpful. I thought I had found an honest mechanic finally but now not sure. I've uploaded a pic - can you just confirm that this looks like it's functioning correctly to you? (not sure if it was necessary to cover license number but can never be too careful online). http://r70i.imgup.net/.png Edited January 5, 2016 by Waverlymike 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waverlymike Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 Also, judging by the regulations, it looks like the center mounted light only needs to be 4.5 inches, so I should be fine there. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueOval2010 Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Yep - that's what mine looks like. You're good. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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