Left rear brake lights out - bulbs ok

[M Audio]

Hello,

I went to turn on my lights and the indicator on the dash tells me I have a tail light out. So around back both of the brake lights are out on the drivers side, but the bulb (marker,fog?) in the lower left part of the tail lamp assembly light up. (This bulb does on light up on the right side)

I swapped the bulb trays / assemblies if you will, and the problem follows the left hand side.

When I went to check the fuses they all seem fine, when I pulled the flash light for a closer look (the one built in to the glove box) I noticed that its almost dead, as in it was too not getting power and not getting charged.

All other bulbs seem fine. Any ideas?!

Thanks

[Critter7r]

Hello,

I went to turn on my lights and the indicator on the dash tells me I have a tail light out. So around back both of the brake lights are out on the drivers side, but the bulb (marker,fog?) in the lower left part of the tail lamp assembly light up. Is this bulb on whenever the lights are turned on, or only when the brake is pressed? (This bulb does on light up on the right side (was this supposed to be "...does not light up on the right side"?)

I swapped the bulb trays / assemblies if you will, and the problem follows the left hand side. So... did the problem follow the LEFT bulb-holder to the RIGHT side? Or did the problem STAY on the left side?

When I went to check the fuses they all seem fine, when I pulled the flash light for a closer look (the one built in to the glove box) I noticed that its almost dead, as in it was too not getting power and not getting charged.

All other bulbs seem fine. Any ideas?!

Thanks


See above for questions and requests for clarification.....

If that one bulb does, in fact, only come on when the brake is pressed, and does NOT come on on the other side, and the problem DID follow the bulb-holder to the RIGHT side when swapped, then you just need new brake light bulbs.

The reason the tail light gets brighter when you press the brake is because the car knows that the other brake lights are out and it presses the tail light bulb into brake-light bulb duty.

I think the glove-box flashlight is unrelated.

[bimmerfiver]

Do you have a third (center) brake light? If so replace it too.

I replaced all three brake lights bulbs. They are inexpensive. I used Dielectric (electrical grease) and now swear by it. Helps fight corrosion. The fact that FP5421's brake lights are without this grease crosses my mind 24/7.

[M Audio]

Hi,

Sorry, I should have read that better.

So these are actually the rear tail lights. the two in the center when you turn your parking and headlights on. The problem does not follow the tray, I get the same results (both center tail lights out, lower left bulb on) when I swap them. So the problem is not the tray.

It follow the wiring / connector. But the fuses seem good, I need to recheck them later, but doubtful its a fuse

[FP5241]

Do you have a third (center) brake light? If so replace it too.

I replaced all three brake lights bulbs. They are inexpensive. I used Dielectric (electrical grease) and now swear by it. Helps fight corrosion. The fact that FP5421's brake lights are without this grease crosses my mind 24/7.

:confused


Don't worry about my bulbs.. or what kinda grease is on em... :shifty

[M Audio]

Yup, you were right, one of the pins look ok at first, but looking deeper shows it was oxidized. Cleaned it up. Back in Biz.

Thanks for everyone's Help!