96 corolla brake light problem kinda weird

12-27-2008, 01:34 AM

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?

12-27-2008, 06:47 AM

<kimiga@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:efe97543-7b83-481d-9abf-eec0825ab8fa@c36g2000prc.googlegroups.com...
>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?

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.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

12-28-2008, 04:33 AM

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?

12-28-2008, 05:43 AM

<kimiga@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:6656a78f-f222-493c-922a-e8b154948575@l33g2000pri.googlegroups.com...
> 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!
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

12-28-2008, 06:38 AM

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

12-28-2008, 07:55 AM

<kimiga@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ebefae6c-fe15-4cb9-a50a-e25447e5df57@v5g2000prm.googlegroups.com...
> 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.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

12-28-2008, 01:34 PM

<kimiga@gmail.com>...
> 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

12-29-2008, 01:31 AM

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
> 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.

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.

12-29-2008, 04:42 AM

<kimiga@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:08959ddf-a976-492d-b0ef-9f0361a025a8@l33g2000pri.googlegroups.com...
> 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.

Try Hachiroku's suggestion first.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

12-29-2008, 01:33 PM

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.