Replacing the Center Mount Brake Light

RTegarini · 06-27-2016, 03:26 PM

I've ordered and am going to replace the Center Mount Brake Light on my Itasca. I haven't actually tried removing the old one yet, so I want to ask in advance to anyone who has done this: do I need to use any caulking on the new light before installing onto the gelcoat? I don't see any that had oozed out from the OEM installation.

Thank you. -RT

AFChap · 06-28-2016, 07:45 AM

On mine the light is simply mounted through the rear cap, and like the headlights, etc is "open" on the back if you could look up from the bottom that far. Believe the new fixture had a gasket on it, but no need for a weather tight seal beyond what the fixture itself provides.

My original had turned from red to clear. I replaced it when I also noted moisture inside it. The new one also turned clear in a few years, but the leds inside the fixture are red so it shines red when the brakes are on.

1ciderdog · 06-28-2016, 08:12 AM

I changed mine and if I remember correctly the old and the new one had a gasket but as Paul said it's not likely to need one.

tderonne · 06-28-2016, 09:38 AM

But an '05 Sunova doesn't have a rear cap, just a wall. The CHMSL appears to be a surface mount? Only the screws pierce the wall?

Rear cap setup:

Pepper2 · 06-28-2016, 10:08 AM

When I replaced mine, I found that the old light had been caulked around the perimeter after being screwed to the surface, so I did the same. Just remember not to caulk around the bottom if you do caulk it. That way any trapped moisture can escape.

RTegarini · 06-30-2016, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tderonne

But an '05 Sunova doesn't have a rear cap, just a wall. The CHMSL appears to be a surface mount? Only the screws pierce the wall?

Rear cap setup:

Thank-you all for the replies and thank-you very much tderonne for the photos; I haven't removed the center brake light yet and was a little surprised at the size of the opening, but then I actually opened up the shipping box and looked at the replacement part I received. The replacement part is definitely a surface mount and has a rubber gasket already attached. I went through the Winnebago parts pdf's and came up with the part number; sure hope I got it right. It's interesting to note the difference for the same model year, based on the new part and your photos.

Now that I've looked at the replacement part compared to the photos, I notice that the new part has 64" wiring leads, with ends that are designed to plug-in. Sure hope I'm not having to connect to wiring five feet away, inside the wall. Will take a look at it and report back. -RT

RTegarini · 07-01-2016, 12:23 PM

Quick update: While I didn't have time to replace the center brake light, here's a photo of what's behind it. Wiring inside is awkward to access and seems to be really short, but the good news is I don't need the 63" wiring that came with the new part. The bad news, of course, is that since I don't need and can't use the 63" wiring that is attached to the new replacement, looks like I'll have to cut off the OEM connectors to shorten the wiring. -RT