So yesterday I was kind of messing around w/ my brake pedal, and I was pressing it w/ the ignition off.

However, when I started driving, my light was out. I drove a little further and the problem fixed itself. However, I was in traffic today, and I had to hold the brake for a very long time and the light went out again....

Anyone have a clue what the problem is?

 

Maybe the switch needs adjusting.

 

You should be able to tap the pedal for the lights to activate. If they don't you need to adjust your switch.

This fall I discovered that I could stop my car without my brake lights ever activating. Luckily I didn't discover this by having someone plow into me.
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^The light activates if I give the brakes a little tap...

Seems that they'll go out if I hold the brake for a long time though...

 

Hi Jimmy,

Greetings from, well, Japan[8D].

If adjusting the switch doesn't solve the problem, try disconnecting the connector and cleaning it with electrical contact cleaner or WD-40. Then, connect & disconnect the SOB several times. Also, look for loose mountings.

I feel like I'm in a foreign country now. How depressing.


JPN

 

It doesn't seem like a connection problem.

If I hold the brake for a long time (in traffic/waiting) the drivers side light will go out. However, once I begin driving again, it'll come back on. Sometimes it takes a little bit but if I drive it, it will come back.

I want to say it's an alternator problem, but that wouldn't explain why it's only 1 taillight....I think I just replaced the drivers side light too (In Oct/Nov)...

 

This is annoying....

It wasn't working all day and it suddenly started working again. I don't think it's an alternater problem.

Sometimes, the brake lights will go on as I'm braking. So I'll have the dummy light on as I'm braking, and suddenly it'll go away... I have no clue what kind of problem this could be....

 

I'd be checking for a loose or 'dry' connection in the taillight housing and also the thin metal filament that joins the various sections of the tail/brake light assembly for continuity.

Sometimes vibration will cause a connector or circuit wiring to momentarily 'open circuit' (the lamps wont illuminate no matter what you do)and then vibration can do the exact opposite - vibrate the loose connection back together (hey presto, the lamp works beautifully).

Good luck - I hope you find what is causing this irritating and potentially dangerous problem soon.

 

Hi Jimmy,

I'm sure you know this, but as the bulbs light up, the metals around them expand a bit. This may be causing temporary "disconnection", or open, between the cheesy looking back plate and the bulb.

Try taking the back plate (housing) off, visually inspect for hairline cracks/burn marks on the conductor paths. Then clean the conductor paths with electrical contact cleaner/WD-40, wipe off excess completely and see what happens. If it doesn't solve the problem, try wedging a thin piece of metal between the bulb tangs and the socket, making sure not to create a short circuit.

Try this and if it doesn't solve the problem, update us.

Keep an eye on the rear-view mirror until the problem is gone!


JPN

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