Hot Brake Lights

[Guyver1]

Ive replaced 3.........YES 3 !! near side brake lights in as many days, the filaments are all fine, but the base of the bulbs are melting away, The spring thats inside the bulb holder that makes contact with the base of the bulb, is all black and crusty

Is there a known fault or am I just the lucky one???

[sig63]

Ive replaced 3.........YES 3 !! near side brake lights in as many days, the filaments are all fine, but the base of the bulbs are melting away, The spring thats inside the bulb holder that makes contact with the base of the bulb, is all black and crusty

Is there a known fault or am I just the lucky one???

I'm on my 4th bulb in 2 years because of the same reason: bulb not blown but base melted... each time I replace it with a Philips Premium bulb and clean the spring and the inside of the bulb holder, and it holds 5-6 months

[Guyver1]

I wish mine would last that long

[sig63]

by the way, I don't think it has something to do with braking... the same bulb is used for the normal rear lights... I would think the reason for heating (and melting) is a bad contact between spring and bulb base during longer periods

[steve1975l]

Your using the middle pedal too much.

My nearside blew so I replaced it but it wasn't melted. I haven't had the car long enough to know the frequency at which they fail.

[glenboy]

I'd say replacement of the bulb holder would sort out the problem......

[steve1975l]

Strange it is only on nearside, water/condensation causing the corrosion?

[glenboy]

Strange it is only on nearside, water/condensation causing the corrosion?

Could be Steve......

[Guyver1]

Light unit is bone dry, its only the brake warning that flags up a fault, when the bulb is removed, there is just nothing left on the base,

what sort of money would we be talking for a new bulb holder??

[sig63]

Light unit is bone dry, its only the brake warning that flags up a fault, when the bulb is removed, there is just nothing left on the base,

what sort of money would we be talking for a new bulb holder??

when I asked about it, dealer told me they should replace the whole unit...