Driver side brake light not working

joe912/62 · joe912/62's Garage

Was told last week that the driver side rear brake light wasn't working. I bought a new one and replaced it but it's still not working, but when I turn on the headlights that area is illuminated. I know it has 2 filament I assume when the brakes are applied they both turn on. I have an 82 with the combo seat belt and brakes warning module on the dash.
The brake light is on now when I release the hand brake. Could it be the brake light switch on the brake master cylinder? Would it effect one side only?
Thanks for any help.

darrin · 11-11-2022, 12:50 PM

not exactly the same problem, but good advice on grounds, checking for a short in the light under the engine deck lid, which is fed by the driver's side rear signal cluster, and moving bulbs to other side to check/confirm whether issue follows bulb. 911 SC - Tail light electrical gremlin - can anyone help?

t6dpilot · t6dpilot's Garage

Check/clean the copper piece in the bulb socket where the base of the bulb sits. Might need to be extended a bit to make good connection. Also, check grounds for that light assembly. I had the same issue when I first got my 69E years ago.

joe912/62 · joe912/62's Garage

I switched bulbs from passenger side to the driver side and now both work.

joe912/62 · joe912/62's Garage

I did remove the whole tail light assembly yesterday and did see one of the
weird connector ( a kind of circuit board material which is criped to the housing) had come loose.
I did try it again yesterday evening and it didn't work then .

HarryD · 11-14-2022, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe912/62

I did remove the whole tail light assembly yesterday and did see one of the
weird connector ( a kind of circuit board material which is criped to the housing) had come loose.
I did try it again yesterday evening and it didn't work then .

I had the little circuit board come loose on the back of the socket come loose.

Tried epoxying it back. Did not hold. I ended up getting a generic light bulb socket from my local FLAPS and machined the opening to allow a very tight press fit. That was years ago and still working great.