Brake Light Problem (dead side) + LED Reverse Lights (w. photos)

[lbwd]

For a long time now, my drivers side brake lights have been dim compared to the other side. But just two of the three on the drivers side. When I put the car in Reverse (R) or Drive (D), all but one light go out completely. Just put new (salvaged) tail lights in with good wires. There has to be a problem somewhere else in the wiring. They're fine with headlights on but no braking. Any ideas?





Thanks in advance for any help!

On second note, I put my new 18-LED Reverse lights in:

[chubbyranger]

Check the grounds on your lighting circuit. If lights go dim when other lights go on its because the electricilty has found a path of lesser resistance to follow. Since the lights have a positive feed by virtue of the fact that they come on, the ground is usually the problem. Trace the ground for the reverse lights and the taillights, tie them together and see if the problem persists.

[lbwd]

Thanks, I'll try it out... once it's light out again (tomorrow). Thanks again.

[forgiven]

Damn, I Have That Same Problem On The Same Side In The Same Location.i Changed The Bulbs 2x And Nothing. Bruh If You Figure This Out ,get At Me. Stay Up
G

[med]

I have had the problem on my 1994 also. It turned out to be corroded contacts in the bulb sockets themselves (I know you replaced with salvaged lights, but maybe it's worth a deeper look). I cleaned up the corrosion with sandpaper and a cola soak. One of the side contacts were bent from the bulb being forcibly jammed into the sockets by previous nameless individuals (bending them back helped a lot) - the bulbs installed weren't even correct, hence the replacement. I chased everything and checked the ground in the trunk (lower left hand corner under tail lamp) and all were good. I included the ground diagram below, but I don't think wiring explains this problem (both supply or ground are common all brake lamps for the lh side on 1994 - see 10A fuse D13 for proof). Those bulb sockets seem to be prone to corrosion. I have used dielectric grease to "seal" the rubber gaskets of the tail lamp housings to the bulb sockets and so for no more corrosion problems. Let us know if that's the problem. If not I would pull the fuse that runs the left side driver's rear turn/stop/marker lights. Good luck!

[lbwd]

Wow... I'll check that! My grounds are fine so this is the next step. Thanks.

[lbwd]

Indeed, Med. It was the sockets. Put new ones in.

[knap59]

I'm having the same problem with my 1994 STS. How do I remove the contact heads to clean them?

[lbwd]

Originally Posted by knap59

I'm having the same problem with my 1994 STS. How do I remove the contact heads to clean them?

You unscrew the taillights from behind the carpeting which is deirectly behind the lights. Pull the carpeting back and you'll see black wing nuts. My socket was bad, so I took it to the shop and they replaced the socket. Good luck.