youtube.com

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=2012+crv+3rd+brake+light+replacement

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll try that when the weather improves.

 

depends if you have rear spoiler as the spoiler has to come off

 

After inspection, there's no plastic spoiler to remove. The light is attached to the metal part of the hatch. A magnet sticks next to the light, so it's steel.

 

OK, found it. There are two 8 mm nuts behind the inner trim panel. The LED assembly was bad. One of the 4 LEDs on the circuit board was open/intermittent.

 

Ouch, that's expensive.
Part Number: 34270-T0A-A01 MSRP : $192.88

 

Very true. The lights from that Prime retailer looked sketchy. I ordered a replacement assembly from Rockauto. I'm hoping the Dorman 923-131 light works for a few years.

I could replace the bad SMT LED, but equivalent parts would need to be ordered from an electronics distributor. The other LEDs in the string are 12 years old, so all 4 should be replaced. If this was a project car, it might be worth the effort.

Short-term cheat: A solder blob was added across the dead LED. Now 3 LEDs light up slightly brighter. This cheat won't last long, but it should survive until the new light assembly arrives. Don't try this at home ;-)