Brake lights not working help

[Gearhead786]

When I first got the car all the lights were working fine I feel like I changed the bulb and now the brake lights are not working maybe due to an incorrect bulb? My turn signals and day time running lights work just fine it's just my brakes
Is this the correct bulb for rear brake light?

[LucaScali]

The brake lights take 1157, not 1156. Easy fix.

[Gearhead786]

Nice thank you

[Gearhead786]

So I have the 1157 but for some reason they won't sit in do they require a single pin these are the ones I'm trying

[EC900]

The 1157 is a dual filament (two contact points at the base of the bulb) and has [Neg -] pins on the side of bulb base that have a slight offset that lock them in the socket, make sure you don’t force the wrong side into the bulb socket. You may need to pull on the tabs inside the socket and adjust slightly so the second contact on the 157 can reach the either the bottom + or the side - contact.

[Gearhead786]

So I looked at the tabs in the back of the light it looks like the turn signal and brake light have a single tab and the day time running lights have a double tab I have attached a photo for some reason after pulling out the tab a bit i still can not get the 1157 bulb to fit in ?

[EC900]

Check and see if the negative contacts are proper alignment with bulb side pins if not already done, these 1157’s do take a bit more “oomph” set push in. I assume contacts are clean too. If they were worked before wrong bulb change is why I suspect the socket needs close inspection. Wrong bulb wouldn’t fry the fuse but might mangle the inside socket a bit.

Also reconsider the fuse which on mine is coupled with the Reverse lights and relay, it might not be seated, wrong size or broken if so check by swapping if you don’t have spare handy right now.

Lastly with a multimeter put key ON position 2, test both Neg sides and Pos tabs with the brake pedal pressed (broom stick to hold it down hard and far enough to activate) and check continuity inside the bulb sockets. .

[917_Langheck]

Brake lamp is double tap - one for steady state illumination, the other for higher intensity brake light. Spec book calls for a 1034 lamp. An 1157, while rated differently, is a known substitute. They fit in the holder only one way due to the offset side pins.

[EC900]

Might need to press that bulb down with a little more finesse to ensure it’s locked in, this is and can be tricky, and watch the orientation as you turn to see if it’s fully seated. So we’re on the same page ....

[pmax]

Why don't you compare the new and old lightbulbs, post pics , to make sure you aren't plugging a square peg into a round hole ?

[LucaScali]

Show us the 1157 bulb you've been trying to install.

[Gearhead786]

[Gearhead786]

[HarryD]

I was having issues like this. I pulled the contacts up to make better contact with the bulb and the little board inside the housing fell off. I disassembled the housing and discovered the little ears that hold the bird had failed. I replaced it with an after market socket. I needed to machine the opening to accept the socket as a press fit.

[darrin]

Originally Posted by Gearhead786

in this picture, isn't the bulb in front of the back up light lens (which does take a single filament bulb) -- the brake light receptacle is to the right of the backup bulb and has a dual filament contact point (unlike the back up light, which only uses a single filament bulb)

[Gearhead786]

Yep so I am an idiot I thought the reverse light was the brake light so I was trying to put the 1157 double filament bulb in to the single filament back up light. So the issue is not the the fitment of the bulbs but the operation of the back up light everything fits as its supposed to. I made a video all 3 lights light up on the tail light however when I apply the brakes I still get no brake light I think the issue might be a continuous brake light I am not sure if that furthest to the right bulb should be on all the time when the lights are on ? Sorry about the confusion

[917_Langheck]

Originally Posted by Gearhead786

I thought the reverse light was the brake light so I was trying to put the 1157 double filament bulb in to the single filament back up light.

That was the impetus for pointing out the double tap receptacle that is the brake light. I hoped you would see the two conductors in the assembly, as you photographed here:

[Gearhead786]

So when I have my lights on the run position the right brake light is on and is super hot but when I apply the brakes I nothing happens the turn signal works fine as does the reverse parking light. Any thoughts?

[timmy2]

Might be locked out with the brake warning light relay.
Pull positive battery cable, wait a minute and put it back on with all bulbs in proper location.

[LucaScali]

You may need to replace one of your brake light switches, Gearhead.