Who the heck at GM thought it would be a good idea, on a semi offroad capable vehicle mind you.... to mount this:




On the UNDERSIDE of the body DIRECTLY BEHIND the RIGHT REAR TIRE:





Seriously?? This is about the worst possible place for an electrical junction block that I can think of.... Must be why the engineers at GM put it there.

I got home today and one of my neighbors told me that my right rear brake light wasn't working.... after a half hour of checking every fricken fuse in the truck (the fuse block diagram under the hood fuse box dosen't make any sense...), I go to the tail light assembly and start checking for power. Nope no power at the sockets. Trace the wiring harness to this junction block and start checking power there. Yep power in. Yep power to the tag light harness and drivers side tail light assy (which are both working). So I pull the connector for the right side tail light assy.... It's the one on the bottom.... Yep it's full of water and mud (which falls/dripps right in my face) and the pins are corroded to the point where when I removed the weatherpack connector they break off.... well they don't have any power out anyway.

Try to google/look up the part number stamped on the thing and get nothing. Start googling some key electrical terms like "tail light junction box/block" and finally find the part I need. Of course it's like $40.00 aftermarket.... Quick call to my local GM Dealer and get quoted a cost like $70.00..... (at least they give me the PN), Look up PN on GM Parts Direct, $19.99 with $15.00 shipping....

I slowly realize the futility here. I ordered it off GM Parts Direct (happy with my $4 savings) and will now wait for a week before I get it.
Will

I almost rear ended a Caddy CTS yesterday on the freeway because his brake lights didn't work. Must be the same design.

Trailblazer must use that. My brother's Trailblazer has had lots of taillight problems. Even a recall, I think.

Need to check my 09 and see if they moved it.

Need to crawl under the 02 the DS tailight has gone out constantly since it was new I dont even replace it anymore.
Tahoes S10s etc have the same issue. Dealer knew it was an issue didnt have a fix.

Yes bad idea. The ABS module is also underneath and gets exposed to the elements. Dont even bother replacing it, just pull the fuse. Stops the same no matter what if the brake light doesnt bother you.

This is why Ill never buy another new/late model car.Cost of electronics/modules will kill you, Ive replaced 2 so far avg. %700 ea