Brake light issues don’t have to be perplexing. When diagnosing brake light difficulties, certain issues recur frequently, making it that much easier to figure out what’s wrong with your brakes when you press the pedal. Take a look at these reasons on why your brake light keeps burning out and how to solve them.
Burnt Out Bulb
A burnt-out bulb is by far the most common brake light issue, and it’s easy to see why. Imagine how much time you spend with your foot on the brake, and then consider that the bulb must be lit for the duration of that time. Although newer cars have LED lights that last far longer, older vehicles still have bulbs that must be removed and replaced. Most of the time, it’s cheap and simple to do with a minimal set of tools.
Bad Brake Light Switch
When the brake pedal is pressed, a switch is activated, signaling to the lights in the back that it is time to turn on. Analog switches deteriorate with time and can become dusty, preventing them from making positive contact and transmitting the correct signal. It’s not difficult to replace the switch, and it’s also simple for your mechanic to test brake light issues like this one. If all three brake lights are out at the same time, the bulbs are unlikely to have perished at the same time. It’s more than likely a bad brake light switch in this scenario.
Related: Why won’t your car start but is making a clicking sound?
Blown Fuse
If your lights do not illuminate on either side and your brake light switch is in fine working order, the brake light fuse should be checked next. Find the fuse box in your car, which is normally located under the hood or on the kick panel within the passenger compartment. Find the brake circuit fuse using the fuse diagram on the box’s cover (or in the handbook) and make sure it isn’t blown. Replace it with a fuse of the same resistance if it has.
Bad Socket
If only one brake light is out and the bulb is working, the next step is to inspect the light socket. A socket with unclean or corroded connections, or one whose wire has gotten worn to the point where it only makes an intermittent connection, can cause brake light problems. Snipping the old wires and splicing in the new unit, which is usually a cheap part to buy, is all it takes to replace a socket.
Most brake light problems are simple to diagnose and repair if you follow these guidelines.
