Brake Light not working - SOLVED!

[jfdallas]

My left rear brake light was out (tail light still worked) so I replaced the bulb. Brake light is still out, so the problem was not the bulb, as the tail light still works with the new bulb installed.

Any ideas short of replacing the whole tail light assembly? Could the fuse be the problem? The brake/tail light on the other side work fine. I'm stumped.

Thanks in advance for any hints.

 

[flyrv9]

There have been past threads about this issue. The problem is usually in the socket (pushed pin or corrosion) or the wire crimps at the socket. I suggest you start there. You might also search for those threads for more info and as I remember there were a couple with pics.

 

[jfdallas]

Thanks - I found a thread that suggests cleaning all of the contacts so I'll pull the tail light assembly tonight and try that. Appreciate the tip.

 

[Deep_palancar]

Check the 'ears' of the socket plug. They seem to bend flat easily especially if it get inserted wrong one time. Just remove the socket and bend the ears up so that they stand proud of the base. No need to remove the whole assembly, there is nothing that will gain access to that can't be reached with it in place.

 

[jfdallas]

Appreciate the tip - I'll try that. You're referring to the main plug that is inserted into the middle of the taillight assembly, correct? Which you can get to by removing the panel inside the rear hatch...

 

[MeefZah]

Appreciate the tip - I'll try that. You're referring to the main plug that is inserted into the middle of the taillight assembly, correct? Which you can get to by removing the panel inside the rear hatch...

No, the actual bulb socket itself. It has three contacts that mate with contacts on the housing and they can get corroded or smashed flat. Remove the socket, clean the contacts, and pull them up a tad to add more "springiness" to the assembly so they make better contact with each other when installed.

 

[wbstru]

had same problem on right side ...some parts " bulb sockets are interchangeable" so try that .. lots of contacts, need cleaning or re
bending...see where the wire loom plug goes /attaches at bottom try testing to see if you have brake light power to the assembly from the connector,I was pissed at first but but a little trouble shooting you will fix it.

 

[jfdallas]

This did it...thanks for the info. Pulled the bulb socket, cleaned the contacts and used a small flathead screwdriver to pry all four contacts out a bit. Also pulled the bulb contacts out some as well. Reinserted the light and boom - worked!

Appreciate all the tips...can really be maddening but with a little patience and some good intel, problem solved. :hatsoff:

No, the actual bulb socket itself. It has three contacts that mate with contacts on the housing and they can get corroded or smashed flat. Remove the socket, clean the contacts, and pull them up a tad to add more "springiness" to the assembly so they make better contact with each other when installed.

 

[starz]

Hi: I ran into this issue as well. Right brake light worked fine, left one out, switched bulbs, still out on left...I cleaned all contacts on the the socket itself and on the bulb holder . I gently lifted the tabs, "ears", so as to make better contact ..no results. BTW all pretty clean to begin with. I then started moving to signal light bulb socket around. Behold! When I twisted it in various positions of contact the brake light went on. I repeated the cleaning process of the contacts of the signal light socket itself and the bulb holder and waa--laa. I was going to buy a whole new tail light assembly...I hope this helps somebody.2010 4Runner limited.

 

[Sgt. Rock]

Hi: I ran into this issue as well. Right brake light worked fine, left one out, switched bulbs, still out on left...I cleaned all contacts on the the socket itself and on the bulb holder . I gently lifted the tabs, "ears", so as to make better contact ..no results. BTW all pretty clean to begin with. I then started moving to signal light bulb socket around. Behold! When I twisted it in various positions of contact the brake light went on. I repeated the cleaning process of the contacts of the signal light socket itself and the bulb holder and waa--laa. I was going to buy a whole new tail light assembly...I hope this helps somebody.2010 4Runner limited.

I have the same problem with the right brake light out tonight...34 degrees and wind chil about 20... never happens when its 70 and sunny!

It happened once before. I jiggled the wired plug (B/U light) and the brake light worked. Not so tonight. I'll pull the signal bulb and tail/ brake light holders tomorrow and do some cleaning and gentle bending.

I love the help I've found in this forum!

 

[vicguajardo]

4runner brake light not working fixed finally

clean the contacts on the rear back up light on the same side as defunct brake light. this took care of my problem. thanks for all of the trouble taken to solve this issue. so i did the same. i did nothing else but this, didn't touch the brake light and it worked.

 

[mattyrides07]

Check the 'ears' of the socket plug. They seem to bend flat easily especially if it get inserted wrong one time. Just remove the socket and bend the ears up so that they stand proud of the base.

This was my fix- CHEERS!



Background:
I broke the passenger taillight assembly wheeling last year. Light was on again/off again and the changes seemed to be coming from vibrations (like off roading). When it was off, I would tap the taillight assembly with my fist and the taillight would come back on... Until a couple weeks ago.

Switched the bulb today and no help. Found this thread, inspected the ears, and discovered one of the ears was loose; pulled it back out, reinserted the bulb and walla- she's working again!

 

[catrains]

put some dielectric grease on the bulb socket contacts. this is also used on the spark plug wires. reduces corrosion ...
if the contacts corrode the socket pins will get hot then distort.

this is not something I created .... I over the years many manufactures use this electrical grease to prevent failures.

 

[rtong1234]

clean the contacts on the rear back up light on the same side as defunct brake light. this took care of my problem. thanks for all of the trouble taken to solve this issue. so i did the same. i did nothing else but this, didn't touch the brake light and it worked.

Thanks! I cleaned and lifted the contacts on the defunct brake light didn't make a difference, but your suggestion of playing around with the rear back up lights helped to make the brake lights work! Go figure? Thank you again.

 

[4RunnerOwner2010]

THIS WORKED FOR ME!! thank you!!! here's what I tried"
- checked/pried up break/tail light contacts on "bulb holder"
- checked/pried up reverse light contact on "bulb holder"
- checked/pried up signal light contact on "bulb holder"
- then, while the break pedal was depressed, "giggled"/twisted the signal light and the break light came on!

 

[OMSDoc]

Success

Thanks for all the information.
Tha tail light wire manipulation seemed to make the difference for me.

 

[Sportscarsemt]

Rear left brake light not working

My rear left brake light is not working. I have changed the bulb out and bought a new bulb housing and it still does not work. Then then cleaned all the contacts with a wire brush and still not go. I have wiggled it around and nothing. What do you recommend to do, new tail light or bring it in?

 

[zyamys2]

I had the same problem too - left brake not working, bulb good. In my case the problem was not the contacts on the brake/tail light itself, but the contacts on the turn signal light, which is connected to the wiring harness and distributes power to all the other lights in the assembly. Check those contacts and bend the up a little.

My rear left brake light is not working. I have changed the bulb out and bought a new bulb housing and it still does not work. Then then cleaned all the contacts with a wire brush and still not go. I have wiggled it around and nothing. What do you recommend to do, new tail light or bring it in?

 

[brianlcain]

Thank you

In my case the signal light holder needed a jiggle. Bless you!

 

[Macintheus]

Hi: I ran into this issue as well. Right brake light worked fine, left one out, switched bulbs, still out on left...I cleaned all contacts on the the socket itself and on the bulb holder . I gently lifted the tabs, "ears", so as to make better contact ..no results. BTW all pretty clean to begin with. I then started moving to signal light bulb socket around. Behold! When I twisted it in various positions of contact the brake light went on. I repeated the cleaning process of the contacts of the signal light socket itself and the bulb holder and waa--laa. I was going to buy a whole new tail light assembly...I hope this helps somebody.2010 4Runner limited.

This worked for me, too! Thanks for sharing!