BRAKE LAMP
 

Greetings, started my car up the other night and my "brake lamp" warning light is illuminated on the safety indicator display. Bought a new bulb but it still won't illuminate. The continuity of both brake lamps is good though. I even took a good bulb form the other side and that wont light up either. Any suggestions?

RE: BRAKE LAMP
 

brake pedal switch?

RE: BRAKE LAMP
 

That wouldn't explain why the bulb won't illuminate

RE: BRAKE LAMP
 

just to make sure I understand what you are saying the rear brake lamp will not illuminate? On one side or both? Or are you saying the Idiot light on the dash is on? If I'm reading correctly you have both problems? the dash idiot lamp is on and neither brake light on the rear of the car will illuminate?

RE: BRAKE LAMP
 

Yeah, the idiot light on the dash is on and the left brake light is out. The right brake light works fine. But, when you remove the access panel to replace the bulb, there are 2 bulbs (I suppose one is the taillight and one is the brake light ) one of which will not light up even though the bulb is good. Hope that helps.

RE: BRAKE LAMP
 

oh I thought you said you tested the bulb in the other one and it did not work...sorry

check wiring to socket and socket itself for damage

RE: BRAKE LAMP
 

The socket(s) all have good continuity...I'm going to try replacing the left or right failure sensors

RE: BRAKE LAMP
 

is the wiring to the socket good? if so then you simply don't get any power to it at the needed time... although I don't see how/why that would cause the brake light to come on the dash.... I hate wiring problems... check the #10 and #25 fuses in the under hood relay box, #10 especially, it would appear from the wiring diagram that it goes directly to one taillight and not the other

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RE: BRAKE LAMP
 

Fuses are all good, The trouble shooting section in the service manual (pg 16-134&135) seems to lead to sensor problems...

RE: BRAKE LAMP
 

I see what you are looking at.... you've tried grounding out those wires and stepping on the brake pedal and are getting those results? if so I'd say you're probably dead on and it shouldn't be to hard to replace...

RE: BRAKE LAMP
 

After further investigation, I have 4 lights not illuminating although the bulbs and sockets all test ok. The bulbs are all single filament brake lights. All the dual filament bulbs and the high mount bulb are working fine. I haven't replaced any bulbs since this problem began so I now thats not it. Also, the "brake lamp" annunciator is out now. I still think its the safety sensor but haven't gotten around to replacing the yet......

RE: BRAKE LAMP
 

Finally found the fix...pulled out both wire sets for left and right tail lights. Never noticed it before but there is a third little light that faces sideways and found it burned out. Also, one of the dual filaments on the L brake light was intermittent so i just replaced both left and right. Also found corrosion on the pin connectors (probably form bad tail light seals) so sprayed them down with contact cleaner and packed all connectors with dielectric grease, put back together, good as new. Hope this helps someone in the future...

RE: BRAKE LAMP
 

It's nice to know the resolution of a problem.

That warning light compares the wattage from side-to-side, and corrosion in the bulb sockets can influence that measurement. Sometimes bulbs from different manufacturers are just enough different to set it off.