Hey,

I've got a 1996 Maxima and I'm trying to remove the inside breaklight so I can apply some mods. But I have no idea how to remove it. When I look under the trunk there are only two screw endings...

 

I actually am in a similar situation.... I just put the stock spoiler on my 96 Maxima, and the 3rd breaklight (inside of the car) is still there... Whenever I go to a carwash, it usually gets knocked off and i slide it back into place... if you haven't found out by the next time i get it washed i'll fill you in, i think it's just a sliding track that locks. Also, if anyone has any ideas about redoing the carpet (if i take out the break light <because the spoiler has one>) give me an idea.
Thanks

 

From Max FAQS, available at http://web2.airmail.net/scutchen/max_faq/:



Q: I added an SE wing to my Maxima, but now the Center High Mounted Stop Light looks silly. Can I remove it and cover the hole, to make it look like an SE?

A: YES! There is a plate for covering the hole. When asked about this, Rodel Bautista provided the procedure and part number for the plate.

CHMSL Removal

I did the same thing to my '96 GXE. To remove the metal bracket, you are going to have to remove the rear parcel shelf. To do this just remove the back seat (two buttons on the bottom front of the lower cushion then some bolts to remove the seat back) then you can remove the shelf. The shelf is held in with some clips that just snap out. You should then be able to get to the bolts that hold the brake light bracket in place. Once removed, just put everything back in reverse order.

The part number for the blank plate to cover the hole is: 999M1-8J004. The description calls it a CHSML HOLE. This part number is for a grey plate if you have the charcoal grey interior. I picked it up at a local dealer for $29. Seems a litlle pricey but I was too lazy to fabricate something on my own.

 

In the 1996 Maxima GXE to remove the inner break light, you push the whole thing to the left and twist it clockwise and raise. Simple as that. Hope it comes in handy.

 

I, too, added a factory spoiler to my car. The Nissan spoiler kit (available at additional cost of $50), among other installation items, came w/ a black CHMSL cover, but as my car's interior was tan, I had to order a new one in tan. It's about $20 w/ the customary 20% discount, sort of steep for a piece of painted pastic, but it covers up the 3rd brake light hole nicely.

For an easier method of removing the 3rd brake light (w/o having to remove the seat!), check your manual on the exact instructions, but the brake light slides one way (either left or right) and then a twist/lift action and the brake light comes up. Underneath it will be a metal bracket that is held by 2 bolts or screws, I believe. It's semi-difficult to manuever to get to one of the screws, but after some careful work, the bracket will come out, leaving you with a hole. The 3rd brake light will have a harness that you can just slip off, and you're done once you cover up the hole with the CHMSL hole cover! If you had a OEM spoiler, this 3rd brake light harness would then be used to attach to the spoiler harness to power the spoiler brake LEDs.

 

Hey, I have two questions.

1. How does that one person get the "customary" 20% discount on parts (in reference to the guy who said he got it for his CHMSL hole cover)

2. Does the CHMSL hole cover look good? I have tan interior, and am wondering how good it looks.. fill me in.

Thanks

 

Could I get the cover in tan? If so, whats the part number?

 

1. Go to Courtesy Nissan and say you are a member of the '.org'.
2.The material looks like the same material they make the interior trim from. From the amount of time you actually look at it, it isn't too noticable.

 

So you're telling me i say "i'm a member of 'dot org'" and they will say, "20% off for you my good man"? If that's the case.. i like it.
Another thing, would you say that the plate is better then having the 3rd breaklight, or more trouble then it's worth.. i live in jersey so i'd have to get it delivered.
Thanks

 

Acually, tell them you're a "Maxima.org" member or just tell them that you saw their ad in Motor Trend, and they'll give you a 20% discount on it. However, if that's all that you're going to be ordering, you might just want to go to your dealership to get it ordered, as the minimum shipping rate (it might be $6 or so) might hurt your cost savings. If you're ordering spark plugs, oil filters, fuel filters, etc. along w/ it, then it's a really good buy.

I personally think having the plastic plate covering up the hole looks better than having a vestigal third brake light on the rear shelf when you have a spoiler installed. The tan CHMSL cover matches the interior pretty well, and while it's not as good looking as the SE rear shelf (no holes!), it's not too bad.

I don't have the invoice for the tan CHMSL cover any longer. Nonetheless, if you tell them what you're looking for (CHMSL hole cover; tan color), the parts dept. should be able to help you out. At first, the parts dept. was somewhat skeptical on what I was buying and they really never heard of it, but once I started to lead them by giving them the black part number, they finally located the tan part #.

 

All I did was just pull on mine, straight back and it came right out. When I tried to pull the left side and rotate it, it would not budge. So I just pulled back my sleeves and tugged a little, came right out. I tend on removing it when I get my spoiler painted and installed. If you need the cover, just ask Courtesy, they have it, pretty cheap. Later.