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Car Forum / Toyota / Toyota Cars / December 200896 corolla brake light problem kinda weird
I was checking all my car light bulbs today, especially the 4 brake light bulbs ( 2 on each side) and i noticed that one bulb was not working. Most people would think that it is a burned out bulb, but i decided to make sure. i swapped bulbs from another brake light and surprisingly both bulbs did not work. I decided to swap the other 2 bulbs from the other side and got the same thing. I think the brake wires or light bulb holder were broken or the fuses were messed up or something, but the weird thing is when I turn on the headlights I get the low dim light, but when it comes to braking, it doesn't work (Both swapping and not swapping the bulbs) Anyone know whats going on? >I was checking all my car light bulbs today, especially the 4 brake > light bulbs ( 2 on each side) and i noticed that one bulb was not [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > the low dim light, but when it comes to braking, it doesn't work (Both > swapping and not swapping the bulbs) Anyone know whats going on? A dim light suggests a poor connection or contact somewhere. Since you have had the bulbs out, check the bulb socket for signs of corrosion. If the socket is corroded, use a small, fine wire brush to clean out the corrosion and put a dab of dielectric grease in the socket. Another possibility is a poor ground connection. Trace the wires coming from the bulb socket - one should be attached to a screw or bolt on the body somewhere. Make sure the screw or bolt is tight, that the wire is not damaged, and there is good contact with ground. If the car has ever had body work in the area where the wire is grounded, make sure that the paint is not preventing good contact.  SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) So you do not think i need a new brake wire or brake socket? or is it just one bad bulb making the other not work properly/well? > So you do not think i need a new brake wire or brake socket? or is it > just one bad bulb making the other not work properly/well? I doubt if you need any new wiring or a brake light bulb socket. Check the items I listed, and let us know one way or the other what you find. Good luck! SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) hmmm, i found dielectric grease and bulb grease online before i go to the store to buy it. which one should i buy? or its the same and doesn't matter > hmmm, i found dielectric grease and bulb grease online before i go to > the store to buy it. which one should i buy? or its the same and > doesn't matter They are both basically the same. Bulb grease sometimes comes in little one-use packets like the ones that mustard or catsup comes in. Buy whichever is less expensive in the smallest quantity. SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) > So you do not think i need a new brake wire or brake socket? or is it > just one bad bulb making the other not work properly/well? By swapping out bulbs that are known to work you have established that the bulb is not the problem. The bulb you are having the issue with has 2 filaments (the tiny wires inside that light up). The 'dim' one is the one that comes on when you turn on the lights. The brighter one is the other filament that is used for the brakes. Your issue is that the brake filament is not getting power somehow. Ray's advice is centered around figuring out why that filament is not getting power. Hope this helps, Tomes ok i figured it out. The bulb was kind of messed up on the bottom area, so i replaced new bulbs. Also, there are 2 circles in the socket, one circle for dim light and one circle for brake light, the circle for the brake was shifted down a little more, so when i tightened the bulbs into the socket, the socket circle doesn't touch the bulb circle. So what i did was kind of tightened the bulb into the socket, but not all the way, and it works! Should i replace the socket or just leave it like that? Thank you for both of your help. On Sun, 28 Dec 2008 14:23:06 -0800, kimiga wrote: > ok i figured it out. The bulb was kind of messed up on the bottom > area, so i replaced new bulbs. Also, there are 2 circles in the [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Thank you for both of your help. I did something similar on a Subaru the other day. Remove the bulb socket from the taillight, and have a good look at the socket. The way these are made you can carefully remove the piece of chipboard and the contacts (the 'circles') by pushing the wiring through the socket GENTLY and then pulling up un the chipboard. Careful, it can be brittle! You should then see the contacts on the bottom where the wire is soldered on, and also a spring. Stretch the spring a little bit so it's longer than it is now. While you have the chipboard out, touch up the contacts with emery cloth or board, or a jackknife or tip of a screwdriver, or some sandpaper. Reinsert the chipboard and GENTLY pull the wiring back through, but not so much that it compresses the spring! Apply some of the 'bulb grease' and insert the bulb. Also, while you have it apart, check the ground wire. Sometimes they are soldered on to the casing, or 'riveted' with a special rivet/contact, and can corrode or work loose. > ok i figured it out. The bulb was kind of messed up on the bottom > area, so i replaced new bulbs. Also, there are 2 circles in the [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Thank you for both of your help. Try Hachiroku's suggestion first. SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) >> ok i figured it out. The bulb was kind of messed up on the bottom >> area, so i replaced new bulbs. Also, there are 2 circles in the [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Try Hachiroku's suggestion first. That's only 'cause I'm a cheap SOB, and ain't going to spend $8~17 for a light socket for a $400 car!! ;) >>> ok i figured it out. The bulb was kind of messed up on the bottom >>> area, so i replaced new bulbs. Also, there are 2 circles in the [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > That's only 'cause I'm a cheap SOB, and ain't going to spend $8~17 for a > light socket for a $400 car!! ;) I'm the same way SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) >>>> ok i figured it out. The bulb was kind of messed up on the bottom >>>> area, so i replaced new bulbs. Also, there are 2 circles in the [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >> > I'm the same way Me too. Tomes i have a 97 corolla. it is the same type set up as yours. here are 4 bulbs in the rear on each side. the 2 running and brake lights. one back up light and one turn signal light. these lights are close together . i think what you are doing is not pulling the 2 brake lights. i have done the same thing myself. the 2 brake light bulbs will have 2 contacks on the bottom of the bulbs. i think you are pulling one of the turn signal or back up lights and you think they are the brake lights . i have done the same thing myself. double check your work. bet that is your problem. look at the contacks inside the socket to make sure. |
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