Seems like there is one on each side of the trunk right before the tail lights

Do I need this rusted piece of junk, or can I remove it from the circuit? I came across it tearing my trunk apart this morning tracing out wires ..

 

These are bulb failure warning light actuators. They are for the tail lights, the one for the brake light is under the rear of the console. They are bimetal strip devices that close a contact if the bulbs are not passing current through the circuit. On the dash warning light strip there is a bulb out light which should illuminate when the lights are switched on, and it should go out after about 30 seconds or less. If it does not it indicates a bulb out. The same bulb out light should also illuminate when the following conditions are fulfilled:

• handbrake on
• engine running
• footbrake pressed

This is a circuit testing mode.

 

Thank you so much,, what if I'm replacing all my bulbs with LED, can I bypass these actuators? And should I close the circuit or keep them open? I'm trying to remove as much gremlins as I can. If I remember correctly this car is a complete Paralel circuit.

 

You can bypass them OK, as with LEDs they will always give you the warning light as the current draw is insufficient to actuate the bimetal strip. I do not know eactly what you have to do to ensure the light is not always on, but a quick test will show it. If you put LEDs in the brake light circuit, then the brake one is under the console at the rear.

 

Done the bypass All lights are working as they should.. Thanks.