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I know this may seem like a simple fix. But on our 97 Honda Civic, the right brake light does not work. I thought it was a simple bulb issue, replaced the bulb but the brake light does not illuminate. The bulb works as a running light but the second the brake is applied, the light turns off. The other brake light is working just fine. I checked the plug itself, it appears to be free of rust and corrosion as well as the wires feel tight in the plug. What else should I be looking for and where?? :dry:
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These are a couple questions that must be asked, and I apologize in advance.
Is the bulb the correct type?
Do the both filaments look OK?
Thanks,
What kind of diagnostic equipment do you have available?
Test light?
Digital Multi-Meter (DMM)?
Test probes; e.g. dental picks?
Test leads with alligator clips on both ends?
As both the lights are on the same circuit, its not going to be a fuse. So it could be the bulb itself, a bad or water corroded socket, or bad wiring to the bulb. I would tend to agree with BigDanIL279 in that it may be the bulb. I’m not sure which bulb you have, but I would double check that it is the correct one. Ive heard of situations where what appeared to be the correct bulb purchased was not the correct one for that application. The simplest way of verifying that the cause is a bad bulb is to put the working bulb into the ‘non-working socket’. If it works in there, then it is certainly the bulb, either just a badly manufactured one, or you were sold the incorrect bulb itself. If the good bulb works in the ‘non-working’ socket, take that bulb into the store to make sure you get a correct match.
Good luck dude 🙂
I agree as a quick check take the working bulb from the other side and put it in the passenger side socket; then put the new bulb in the drivers side socket and determine if the problem follows the bulb or is it the socket.
Also, if you are a part of a municipal library system they may have a meter or some test equipment to lend to aid troubleshooting the problem.
Otherwise start asking family, friends and neighbors if they have a DMM or test light they can lend you to test.
Also, have a look at the socket from the back side to inspect for any corrosion on the wire connectors; you might see some green on the copper wire or other rust, etc… that should be cleaned off.
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