rear brake light problem, bulb ok, please help

**circushead** · 20th April 2009, 21:07

Hi There
Noticed the bulb warning light on the display the other day and thought I'd take a look.

Turned out to be the bottom brake light bulb on the drivers side. I took the bulb cluster out and inspected the bulb. It looked fine so plugged the connector back in and both lighs came on. The bottom one went over after a few seconds and no matter how much wiggling I did, it didnt come back on.

I unplugged the connector and reinserted it again. The same thing happened. both bulbs lit then after a few seconds the bottom bulb went off leaving the top one lit.

Does anyone have any idea why the car is doing this? I swapped some bulbs but still does the same thing.

I'm really confused so looking for some direction.

**Big Dave** · 20th April 2009, 21:26

The rear brake light should be the upper of the two rear side light bulbs. However when the upper bulb fails, the lower bulb takes over the role of tail/brake light.

Here is a list of the bulbs from top to bottom.

Turn signal light
Tail light / brake light #
Tail light
Fog tail light (works on drivers side only - this is normal for the UK. You can use the passenger side one as a spare bulb for any of the other lights in either light cluster)
Reversing light

All bulbs are 21 watt single filament.

# As previously mentioned, if the upper tail / brake light bulb fails, then the lower tail light then becomes the tail / brake light.

**mick 1986** · 20th April 2009, 21:31

if the light is coming on for a small time and then going off, then i would say its an earth fault somewhere. but check what was mentioned about which bulbs are which, and change the bulbs with the ones on the other side to see if the fault moves.

**circushead** · 21st April 2009, 17:00

Hi All

Didnt realise both lights come on as tail lights. The rear left tail light had blown. New bulb in and now all working again.

Thanks for your help

**willoftoon** · 9th May 2009, 15:17

I have this it has come on before then went off but today it is stayi g on but me brake lights are ok

**Big Dave** · 9th May 2009, 16:05

Originally Posted by willoftoon

I have this it has come on before then went off but today it is stayi g on but me brake lights are ok

Are you sure the brake lights are ok, or has the other side light taken over the role of brake light - see my post above.

**willoftoon** · 9th May 2009, 16:35

i just got wor lass to look haha so if i turn side lights on brake light should be off is that it so if it is out i will have 1 top brake light and 1 bottom
right i have been out to car took holder out top bulbs are orange ,, yes ,, bulbs next 1 down under are normal but 1 on passenger side looks darker like it has blown but looks like filament is still intact but may be wrong but is def a differentcolour to other ,,darker as i said

**Big Sig** · 9th May 2009, 16:37

Originally Posted by willoftoon

i just got wor lass to look haha so if i turn side lights on brake light should be off is that it

What? The side lights won't affets the brake lights comming on. Press the brake pedal and check that the exact same lamp on both sides is lit. RTFM

**willoftoon** · 9th May 2009, 16:49

haha sorry right ii have top bulbs they are orange ,, indicator yes
next bulbs down are on well 1 is other looks darker ,, but filament is intact but may be loose ..
next are sides i think
anyway i have had them on with side and sides light i have tried darker bulb in other side but didnt work so i think it is bust off to get a new 1 now thanks for help if it works if it doesnt i take it back hahah acheers

**willoftoon** · 9th May 2009, 17:28

i have just walked about 5 mile for a bulb but all shops are shut haha i wont drive me car knowing i have dash light on i only drove home coz i had to