Brake Lights

[York]

I have owned a fantastic 1986 Meteor Grey Metallic 3.2L Carrera Sunroof Coupe for about 6 months now. Most fun car that I have ever owned, including my 1992 968 that I have had for almost 10 years and 123,000 miles.

On the 911, I just discovered that the third brake light works, but the two in the tail light clusters do not. Checked the bulbs, they are OK. Checked the fuses, they are OK. I have searched this forum and read other threads regarding this problem, but still cannot figure it out. At least one pressure switch on the master cylinder must work for the 3rd brake light to operate. Maybe this is a wiring problem. Any thoughts regarding what else to check would be great, I need to drive!

By the way, I have been following this forum for quite a while now, it is really great! Here is my 911:

[madmmac]

Welcome aboard...beautiful car too.

Did you check for voltage at the socket while someone applies the brakes?

Are your tail lights working?

How did you check the bulbs...visually?

Good luck and Hello.

[911mot]

A common fault is to have the wrong bulbs in there. Check they are twin element.

[Dan in Pasadena]

How about the other pressure switch? While doing a search for myself on the same subject I found someone who had posted that their lack of stop lights was corrected by changing out only one. Maybe there is only one that has gone bad?

[York]

OK, I am back in business. Turns out I checked the reverse light bulb, not the brake light bulb (didn't realize the brake bulb was dual filament). One filament was burned out in each brake bulb, so I ran to the auto parts store and purchased replacements for all four bulbs in each tail light assembly.

Thanks for the quick replies, the dual filament comment got me on the right track. Now I can drive again! No telling how long I have been driving in Dallas with only the 3rd brake light, it is a wonder I did not get hit from behind (I guess it must be effective).