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brake lights issues

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Old 11-22-2010, 10:37 PM
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Default brake lights issues

I searched and found people w similar problems but not exact

When my headlights are on, my brake lights on the passenger side and passenger side turn signal do not work at all. the running lights work, just not the brake and signal on that side
I had the car inspected a month ago and all the bulbs in that side were swapped out for new ones in order to pass and I guess whatever is wrong has progressively gotten worse

The left side works fine as well as the fronts

Oh, and when the headlights are on, the left turn signal light in the dash stays lit up... Does this have anything to do w the problem above?

If it is a switch or fuse, break it down Barney style and tell me where its at and where I can get a new one ASAP... I don't want to get rear-ended tomorrow
Old 11-23-2010, 07:24 AM
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The expert mechanic who switched your bulbs, probably put the wrong ones in. They probably just jammed in whatever they had on the shelf. Check that first.
Old 11-23-2010, 09:22 AM
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When we swapped bulbs, they worked, just not very bright compared to the drivers side
Old 11-23-2010, 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by VinR1
When we swapped bulbs, they worked, just not very bright compared to the drivers side
90% probable that they put in the wrong bulbs, then. Even though the bulbs may look the same, they probably have the contacts in the wrong place and are the wrong wattage. If you change the left bulbs to the right and vice versa, you should see the problem switch sides.
Old 11-23-2010, 08:30 PM
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I swapped bulbs from left to right, cleaned the sockets and applied dielectric grease and left the sockets unplugged from the housing. With the motor running and headlights OFF, blinkers and brake lights work just fine on both sides

However, as soon as I flip the headlights ON, the right side brake and blinker loses like 90 percent of their 'brightness'. The running light filament is nice and bright but the blinker/brake filament goes dim...so much, you can't see it through the lense
Old 11-23-2010, 09:58 PM
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Originally Posted by VinR1
I swapped bulbs from left to right, cleaned the sockets and applied dielectric grease and left the sockets unplugged from the housing. With the motor running and headlights OFF, blinkers and brake lights work just fine on both sides

However, as soon as I flip the headlights ON, the right side brake and blinker loses like 90 percent of their 'brightness'. The running light filament is nice and bright but the blinker/brake filament goes dim...so much, you can't see it through the lense
If your blinker and brake light are losing most but not all brightness, it sounds like your running lights are stealing the ground from everything else. Have you checked the connectors at the tailights?
Old 11-23-2010, 11:31 PM
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+1 on a wiring issue at the rear right of the car. Was it ever in an accident?
Old 11-24-2010, 08:34 AM
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No, no rear accident... from what I can tell, the original owner went off roading at least once and cracked the front driver's side fender and scratched the passenger side ground effect but no unibody or subframe damage whatsoever

when we took the lights off the rear, the wiring all looked brand new and fresh from the factory... in fact, I'm fairly certain some of the bulbs we replaced were still original. Besides delaminating, the taillights are tight and completely waterproof. I couldnt see a hint of water or moisture damage to anywhere behind the lights both inside and outside the car.

If it is a ground issue, where do I need to look? I followed what I thought to be the ground screwed into the driver side of the rear latch(??) and all wires were solid with no kinking or damage to the sheath...
Old 11-24-2010, 10:00 AM
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I've never played with it, but believe there should be a separate ground on the right side of the car for the right lights. (Likewise on the left.)
Old 11-24-2010, 11:09 AM
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cool, I'll pull it in the shop now and take another look
Old 11-24-2010, 04:26 PM
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nothing...

I only found one ground on the entire back side of the car - it has 3 wires running to it. I removed the bolt, scuffed the body with some 100 grit, thin layer of dielectric grease on each of the grounds, and replaced the bolt

same damn thing

if I have the car 'on' and either blinker or brake going, the right side works fine... UNTIL I turn the running lights or head lights on and the respective brake/blinker filament loses 90% of its brightness. doesnt go out completely, just dim. ONLY when I turn the running lights or headlights on...

please help
Old 11-24-2010, 09:41 PM
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I checked the factory manual and the ground is in the engine compartment. The right side is attached to the right radiator support and the left side is on the left radiator support. Go figure.

Have you checked the right front turn signal to see if it does similar things? (The lights are all wired through the DRL module.)
Old 11-29-2010, 02:00 PM
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front turn signal works fine regardless of whether or not the headlights are on

I feel like a retard now... I went back to the shop that replaced my bulbs and asked what they put in and turns out they used 1156 (??) bulbs instead of the 2057... I'm picking up some this afternoon and I think that may fix the issue... we'll see

Last edited by VinR1; 11-29-2010 at 02:31 PM.
Old 11-29-2010, 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by VinR1
front turn signal works fine regardless of whether or not the headlights are on

I feel like a retard now... I went back to the shop that replaced my bulbs and asked what they put in and turns out they used 1156 (??) bulbs instead of the 2057... I'm picking up some this afternoon and I think that may fix the issue... we'll see
Looks like WSsix99 called it. You know, usually the numbers are written on the bulbs themselves just so you know next time. Sucks when a shop or anyone for that matter makes you chase your tail.
Old 11-29-2010, 08:01 PM
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Nevermind... Already had 2057's in there...problem still there
Old 11-30-2010, 10:57 AM
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I pulled the housing and bulbs and there's a very slight amount of corrosion in both sockets... Should I just go ahead and locate a new harness and/or replace the sockets themselves?
Old 11-30-2010, 01:25 PM
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I think you should take it to a professional to have it looked at.
Old 12-02-2010, 07:39 PM
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Success!! Despite the sockets looking great with the slightest hint of corrosion, I replaced them both and holy chit, now they're brighter than the left side. In fact, I'm swapping the other side tomorrow so they'll match. I pulled the harnesses apart ant the ground was almost rusted through.

I can finally sleep now (and drive at night)
Old 12-03-2010, 10:36 PM
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Interested to hear what happens when you replace the other side!
Old 12-04-2010, 11:47 AM
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when I purchased the two for the right side, there were two left on the shelf... go by there this morning and wouldnt you know, both gone... I've gotta shop around and see if I can find another pair this weekend




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