Right side brake lights not working
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Right side brake lights not working
Ok so today some guy told me my lights weren't working so I pulled over to check and my right side brake lights/turns aren't working. Tails working fine. My right side turn hasn't been working for awhile, the light on the dash just stays solid when I turn it on. Anyone got any ideas?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 51
From: Connecticut
you will need to approach this issue systematically. Two bulbs going bad simultaneously is unlikely. It is interesting to note that you have not noticed any blown fuses or loss of any other lights. At least not that you have reported here.
First off, have you or anyone else done ANY work to the car before you noticed the issue? Usually the root cause to a full system failure, such as this, is due to some other work performed elsewhere. This could be as simple as a plug being forgotten to be reconnected or a screw being sunk into a panel and into unseen wiring.
Now if no work has been done recently then I would start out by checking the bulbs.
If the bulbs are good then I would check to see if there is voltage present at the plug. If there is voltage then the plug may be defective by not allowing the bulb to seat properly.
If voltage is not present then I would move upstream in the wiring until I found voltage.
I do not have my FSM at hand to give you a wiring diagram so perhaps someone will chime in here to provide one.
Hope this at least gets you started.
First off, have you or anyone else done ANY work to the car before you noticed the issue? Usually the root cause to a full system failure, such as this, is due to some other work performed elsewhere. This could be as simple as a plug being forgotten to be reconnected or a screw being sunk into a panel and into unseen wiring.
Now if no work has been done recently then I would start out by checking the bulbs.
If the bulbs are good then I would check to see if there is voltage present at the plug. If there is voltage then the plug may be defective by not allowing the bulb to seat properly.
If voltage is not present then I would move upstream in the wiring until I found voltage.
I do not have my FSM at hand to give you a wiring diagram so perhaps someone will chime in here to provide one.
Hope this at least gets you started.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
you will need to approach this issue systematically. Two bulbs going bad simultaneously is unlikely. It is interesting to note that you have not noticed any blown fuses or loss of any other lights. At least not that you have reported here.
First off, have you or anyone else done ANY work to the car before you noticed the issue? Usually the root cause to a full system failure, such as this, is due to some other work performed elsewhere. This could be as simple as a plug being forgotten to be reconnected or a screw being sunk into a panel and into unseen wiring.
Now if no work has been done recently then I would start out by checking the bulbs.
If the bulbs are good then I would check to see if there is voltage present at the plug. If there is voltage then the plug may be defective by not allowing the bulb to seat properly.
If voltage is not present then I would move upstream in the wiring until I found voltage.
I do not have my FSM at hand to give you a wiring diagram so perhaps someone will chime in here to provide one.
Hope this at least gets you started.
First off, have you or anyone else done ANY work to the car before you noticed the issue? Usually the root cause to a full system failure, such as this, is due to some other work performed elsewhere. This could be as simple as a plug being forgotten to be reconnected or a screw being sunk into a panel and into unseen wiring.
Now if no work has been done recently then I would start out by checking the bulbs.
If the bulbs are good then I would check to see if there is voltage present at the plug. If there is voltage then the plug may be defective by not allowing the bulb to seat properly.
If voltage is not present then I would move upstream in the wiring until I found voltage.
I do not have my FSM at hand to give you a wiring diagram so perhaps someone will chime in here to provide one.
Hope this at least gets you started.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
I believe that since you just installed a new switch I'd check your work starting with the connection at the steering column after you've checked for a bad bulb RH front or RH rear. You haven't mentioned the year and generally it wouldn't be of concern but it could be of interest. What year is it?
The indicator on the dash being ON constant and not flashing is a "hint" of a bad bulb on the side that's constant. With no turn on what do the stop lights do?
If no stops on that side still I'd lean towards a bad connection at the steering column.
It certainly isn't "conclusive" but I'd think a reasonable approach.
The indicator on the dash being ON constant and not flashing is a "hint" of a bad bulb on the side that's constant. With no turn on what do the stop lights do?
If no stops on that side still I'd lean towards a bad connection at the steering column.
It certainly isn't "conclusive" but I'd think a reasonable approach.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Ok so today some guy told me my lights weren't working so I pulled over to check and my right side brake lights/turns aren't working. Tails working fine. My right side turn hasn't been working for awhile, the light on the dash just stays solid when I turn it on. Anyone got any ideas?
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
I believe that since you just installed a new switch I'd check your work starting with the connection at the steering column after you've checked for a bad bulb RH front or RH rear. You haven't mentioned the year and generally it wouldn't be of concern but it could be of interest. What year is it?
The indicator on the dash being ON constant and not flashing is a "hint" of a bad bulb on the side that's constant. With no turn on what do the stop lights do?
If no stops on that side still I'd lean towards a bad connection at the steering column.
It certainly isn't "conclusive" but I'd think a reasonable approach.
The indicator on the dash being ON constant and not flashing is a "hint" of a bad bulb on the side that's constant. With no turn on what do the stop lights do?
If no stops on that side still I'd lean towards a bad connection at the steering column.
It certainly isn't "conclusive" but I'd think a reasonable approach.
You guys were right, I checked the connection where the new signal switch plugs in at the column and one side wasn't in all the way. Plugged it in snug and what do you know, blinker works as it should and brake light works too. Thanks a lot guys. The car is an 85 by the way.
Last edited by .50ae; Jul 4, 2015 at 08:34 PM.