Okay, so I have given up on the rough start issue and just let it rattle through the first few minutes before going anywhere.

Now, all but one of the third brake light bulbs are out. I assume this is why the "brake light" warning shows up on my dash the first time I touch the brake upon start-up. Problem is, everywhere I look the incorrect bulb type is listed. It is a very small bulb and there are about twelve of them. They have a metallic coating on the top.

If someone knows the bulb type so I can order replacements I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you,
Suzanne

 

they are called diodes or LCD emitters and they have resistors linking them, its cheaper to replace the unit ( high line break light ) as its called in the UK, you could go to an electrical store and replace the resistor, check out the colours on the resistor that's important other wise the link to the others resistors is lost. complicated crap though it is

 

I'm actually an electrical engineer so lamps and resistors are not so complicated. The lampsI have plug into a circuit board, which may have resistors imprinted on them, but there is not physical resistor. As I do not really care if the light works, I had contemplated measuring the remaining working bulb, adding up the resistances and just jumping across the electrical connector with a resistor. Mostly I just want the warning light on the dash and the beep to go away.

I'm not sure we are talking about the same part as mine does not appear to consist of diodes - but I could be wrong. Thank you for your reply!
-Suz

 

third break light isn't part of the bulb out system and can be removed but you say the break light is on and that means there is a break problem and not a bulb out situation,
the problem could be the Ebreak/hand break isn't going all the way down and tripping the switch ( do the break lights actually work? ) are they on all the time? if they are on all the time then its the break peddle switch,
other thing to check is the break fluid level

 

The brake lights work fine. I had one out, but replaced the bulb and now it is business as usual. I'll check the hand brake and the fluid level.

Thank you for the reply,
Suzanne

 

For what its worth, I bought ten of the mini bulbs (sold as dash light replacements), put them in the third brake light fixture and all is well with that. No more warning light on the dash, and the light works.

But...then the AC went out and I was told it is the compressor. As that is an expensive fix and the car won't really hold two car seats (necessary in about two months), I am letting the old girl go. Alas, the end of an era!

-Suz

 

There are ten small mini-bulbs in there, not LED's or anything fancy. There is a plastic cover that can be removed by pinching the buttons on either end and pulling the cover towards you. This will expose the bulb holders. They are just smaller versions of the bulbs in the instrument cluster. Give eachbulb holdera quarter turn andit comes right out. Pull the bulb out and replace with a new one. That "metallic coating on top" is the remains of the filament when it fried. It sprays metal all over the inside of the bulb. New bulbs will be nice and clear. You can find the bulbs at just about any auto parts store, they are nothing special. If they are not on a display rack the store will have some in one of their parts bins in back, just ask one of the clerks.