Brake light is out [emoji36]

Discussion in '6th Generation 2002-2013' started by rvmiller, Feb 24, 2018.

  1. rvmiller

    rvmiller New Member

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    Just found out my brake is not lighting up. The brake light bulb and front fuse panel are all good. Does not light for either front or rear brake pedal.

    Any suggestions???

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  2. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    The only thing really to do is track down the circuits and check them. Also, make sure the bulb is actually good. A visual inspection is not always good, check it with a meter or a direct 12v source. I have power supplies that I use for my work and I just take two leads from one of them and place it on the bulb end and see if it lights up. Similarly with a multi-meter, see if there is continuity through the filaments, this would confirm bulb is good.

    The other place to check is the bulb socket, make sure the socket is clean and not corroded. Also that the wires going to the socket aren’t frayed or broken.
     
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  3. rvmiller

    rvmiller New Member

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    I swapped the "Parking bulb" with the Brake light bulb. I am not good with Electrical side of troubleshooting at all

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  4. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

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    What was the result?
     
  5. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Electrical can often be intimidating and hard to troubleshoot, especially for a first timer. The thing to remember is that for an electrical circuit to work, it needs to complete a loop. The core of the source of power is typically the battery, the 12v + starts and ends here. Most ground returns are through the frame but 12v+ is typically on a direct lead wire.

    Both the lever and pedal have a contact closure that allows the “brake filament” to get it’s closed loop, since both of yours are not working, I would suspect the bulb, the brake light lead or the socket. All of this is really useless info though, if you don’t have a multi-meter. Troubleshooting electrical is difficult at best but near impossible without a multi-meter. Maybe you have a neighbor who has one or better yet, knows how to troubleshoot electrical issues.
     
  6. rvmiller

    rvmiller New Member

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    The bulb works... But I also broke a tab off the socket now

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  7. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

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    The turn signal, and brake light bulbs are identical on my '89. When used in the brake light socket both filaments are used, one as a running light, the other as the brake light. When in the turn signal socket, only the brigher filament is used.

    If the bulb that came from the turn signal socket worked in the brake light socket, as you stated, then you have two possible options: A) need to replace the old bulb, it'a burned out, or B) if the old bulb works when you reinsert it into the socket, it may have been corroded and not making good enough contact. Clean the socket and bulb of any contamination.

    Could you explain further regarding the broken off tab?
     
  8. rvmiller

    rvmiller New Member

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    #1

    I have working brake lights now!!

    #2. The tab that broke off was on the socket itself...

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  9. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

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    Good to hear that they are working. What was the solution?
     
  10. rvmiller

    rvmiller New Member

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    I watched YouTube and a guy had a similar issue, and he had to fiddle with his rear brake. I figured I would try the same technique...

    Eureka!!

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