3rd Brake light/visor removal 2019 Edge Titanium

[EMT6996]

Hi All,

 New guy here and thanks for the add. So here is my dilemma. My Wife's 2019 Edge Titanium needs a new 3rd brake light. She made contact with the garage door when the liftback was open and slowly over the past year all the L.E.D.'s have stopped working but two. It will not pass the NY state vehicle inspection. The dealer wants almost $700 to replace the thing. I purchased an OEM one off of ebay for $124. So I attempted to change it out this morning with no luck. I removed the 5 nuts holding the rear spoiler/light housing and trim easy enough. But I cannot get the rear visor/light assy. to lift off. I saw an old video on youtube and it was not much help as it was for a 2015 Edge. There has to be something that I am missing. I can see the adhesive tape but am very certain that is not it. I can lift each end up a little with effort. It feels like something in the center area (around the rear window washer) is holding the thing pretty strongly. Can anyone tell me what I am missing? are there instructions/video somewhere that shows what I am doing wrong? I don't want to pay $700 for this if possible. And, I don't want to break the visor either. I'm on disability and really don't have the money to do it anyway. PLEASE HELP!!

[Haz]

Welcome to the Forum!

 

Below are relevant sections from the 2019 Edge Workshop Manual...

 

Document download links>

Rear Spoiler - Removal and Installation - 2019 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf

High Mounted Stoplamp - Removal and Installation - 2019 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf

 

Good luck!

 

[1004ron]

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUtyYU15Fk4

 

 

 

Edited February 9 by 1004ron

[1004ron]

4 hours ago, EMT6996 said:

 I purchased an OEM one off of ebay for $124.

Could you post a link to this.

[CARR142]

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kUtyYU15Fk4

[Jeepwx03]

Does anyone know what kind of foam tape is required for reinstallation? I'd like to get an idea before taking it off in case I need to buy some if it's damaged during removal.

[EMT6996]

Jeepwx03,

 So I finally got around to changing the rear visor brake light today. It took one hour start to finish only because the rubber tape is SUPER sticky and tough to break the seal. I didn't want to brake the rear glass obviously so I removed the six 10mm cap nuts, unplugged the one wire connector and rear wiper/washer hose. Starting on one side I released the tape with a putty knife and then put in a wooden tapered wedge and worked across until all the tape was free from the glass. The visor came off with some effort. I did manage to break two of the white plastic body clips as I figured I would. It was a good thing that I purchased a box of them from Amazon for nine bucks. So the tape that came off is a rubber butyl type and is almost 1/8" thick by 3/4" wide. I wound up buying a roll of 3M rubber tape and doubled it so I would have an 1/8" thick piece that would compress and seal nicely. The brake light was $124 from eBay, The tape was $6 for a roll and the clips were $9 with tax. Far better than the $600+ price quoted from Ford. I would not use a foam type tape. I feel the sticky rubber tape has more of a waterproof seal. So yeah, Just a little bit of patience and it was easy to do. Toughest thing is removing the visor because the old tape really holds it down. But like I said once you get an end started, Just keep applying lifting force as you proceed across and before you know it, She'll pop free.

Hope this helps

Paul

[1004ron]

On 2/8/2023 at 3:37 PM, EMT6996 said:

I purchased an OEM one off of ebay for $124. So I attempted to change it out this morning with no luck.

PLEASE HELP!!

Could you post a link to this.

[1004ron]

I've ordered the replacement from Amazon - Its the Dorman brand and hopefully it lasts longer than the OEM.

 

Amazon.com: Dorman 923-133 Center High Mount Stop Light Compatible with Select Ford Models : Automotive

 

 @Haz do you have any details for the double-sided tape used between the spoiler and the glass?

[Haz]

Sorry, no first-hand experience nor Workshop Manual advice beyond the previously shared documents.

 

EMT6996 is the subject matter expert here, I'd say.

 

Good luck!

 

[1004ron]

Yesterday I took everything off and prepped it ready for the delivery of the new LED today.

 

I had to make a trip to Lowe's for 3M mounting tape, 12 point deep 13mm socket, and blade scraper.

 

Used a snap blade utility knife to cut through the double sided tape, removed the 6 plastic 12 point nuts, then came the brute force to pop the spoiler off the 4 with plastic clips - I packed rags under the spoiler to create some tension, then thumped it upwards with the ball of my hand and all 4 plastic clips popped off.

 

The new LED light is higher quality than OEM - the clear lens is attached more securely with a good hard sealing/bonding - the clear lens just popped off the old one and suspect that allowed moisture ingress and failure of 4 out of the 12 LED's.

 

The only thing I would do differently would be to find thicker double sided foam tape, around 2mm thick.