Two tail lights, one brighter than the other? Your thoughts?

[Mark Howard]

Just like the title says, 2005 997, my left running light/tail light is brighter than the right one. I did the obvious, check the bulb to make sure it's the correct one, then swapped the bulbs on each side. No dice, the left is still brighter.

Seems the left side must be getting more voltage.

Any idea what's up or how to fix?

[schumicat]

I'd look at a wiring diagram to see if they ground at different places. if so clean the ground for the dimmer one.

[kidrock]

Check and clean bulb socket/connector and work backwards, if necessary. If the socket cleaning doesn't work, make sure the positive connections and all related grounds are clean and well-connected. You'll probably need to pull the tail light in order to make sure all this stuff is good, clean and tight.

[Super_Dave_D]

Disclaimer - I'll admit I know nothing about a 997 but isn't the left side a fog light and supposed to be brighter?

[GaryR]

Originally Posted by Super_Dave_D

Disclaimer - I'll admit I know nothing about a 997 but isn't the left side a fog light and supposed to be brighter?

Yes, if he is running with the driving lights on that will (IIRC) be the case... and Mark, the 997 Forum at Rennlist is a lot more active than the water-cooled forums here and you will get a ton of help on your late model car there. Buy all your parts from Wayne though!

[Prince,Caribou]

Hi Dave,

I think Super Dave is correct, the difference being in the design of the lens.

Lawrence

[Mark Howard]

There is a reason we know him as Super Dave! He is exactly correct. When the light switch is pulled on to the fog light setting, the left tail light is brighter. On the running setting, it is normal.

Even though I feel a little sheepish, I'll admit I don't know 997s well either just yet. Add this to your knowledge bank.

Thx David.

[DRACO A5OG]

You may have broken PCB within the light housing. I have intermittent brake lights. I tried to clean and tweek the contacts but one day my brakes lights were going hay wire

I disassembled my housing and discovered the PCB type backing had snapped and the hot lead was shorting out on the metal housing:

[GaryR]

It's a friggin 997! He has the fog lights turned on! The car would have to be stored underwater to look like that!

[DRACO A5OG]

oops my bad

Why the heck is he here???

[Mark Howard]

Cause I'm an air cooled guy at heart and this is the only forum that actually responds to stupid questions like mine

[JohnJL]

Very funny.
I'll bet you $1 its a poor ground on the dim light.

[Winter]

Very funny.

I'll bet you $1 its a poor ground on the dim light.

I'll take that bet, because if you paid attention to the thread, you would have read that this problem was't due to a ground and wasn't a problem at all. Per super Dave it was the fog light feature. . .
Please donate my $1 to Wayne and Pelican for the ongoing maintenance of these forums

[andyt11]

Rear fog filament will be 21w just like a brake light. Ordinary tail light is only 5w, so yes, if he had the rear foglight turned on it would be a great deal brighter and very annoying for anyone driving behind him.