How to remove E30 3rd brake light from cabrio trunk lid?

[Cobra Jet]

Does anyone know how to remove the 3rd brake light assembly from a E30 cabrio trunk lid?

When looking under my trunk lid, the factory tool kit is located in the area where the brake light is mounted. The tool kit "foam" is glued to the underside of the trunk lid in that same area and I don't see any hardware for removing the brake light assembly. Is the hardware under the foam material and does the foam have to be ripped off the underside of the trunk lid?

I need to service it (reseal) to prevent water seepage when it rains.

Any tips or hints are appreicated!

[Stevie30]

Remove Tool kit. Foam has holes in it where screws are located. I sealed around my screws with RTV silicone when I reassembled.

[CorvallisBMW]

^ i tried that, and mine is still stuck like glue to the lid. I beleive it's 4 screws, right?

[87Blue325iC]

Remove Tool kit. Foam has holes in it where screws are located. I sealed around my screws with RTV silicone when I reassembled.

Silicone is key or else you will have a leaky trunk!

[Cobra Jet]

Once I'm able to remove the 3rd brake light assembly from the trunk lid, I'm going to reseal it only w/ "The Right Stuff" - as I have used the product MANY times in the past with excellent results & success (ie: NEVER a leak EVER after using the product).

I'll check out the assembly & under the lid again when I get home tonight. I could have sworn when I opened the tool kit that all I saw was just foam on the underside of the lid... maybe I have to poke around for the hardware holes in the lid...?

Once the hardware is removed, does the 3rd brake light assembly have to be pried off the trunk lid, or will it come off easily once the screws are removed from it?

For those interested in The Right Stuff - it can be purchased at almost ANY automotive store (NAPA, AutoZone, PepBoys, Advance Auto, O'Reilly's, etc...): http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut...sket_Maker.htm

Thanks for the above help & any additional help!

[///M42 sport]

there are 6 screws. 2 hidden near the top of the taillight cover, near the rear window.

[TwoJ's]

Are you sure that it's leaking from the brake light? There are multiple possibilities for having water in the trunk.

[Cobra Jet]

Are you sure that it's leaking from the brake light? There are multiple possibilities for having water in the trunk.

Yep... original tool kit is rusted out... and I checked the last time after a rain and once unlatching the tool kit, it was filled w/ rain water and only the center of the trunk pad/carpet was wet.

Thx for the help everyone!

[AWDE30]

there are 6 screws. 2 hidden near the top of the taillight cover, near the rear window.

7 screws. 3 hidden. 4 under the toolkit foam

[spike68]

Is it also possible to just swap trunk lids from a hard top model?

[Cletonius]

Is it also possible to just swap trunk lids from a hard top model?

Yes. This would be my solution