Car Brake Light not working, even after I changed out the bulb?

Question

My left side brake light is not working. I changed out the light bulb a few times but still not working. It can't be the fuse because the right side is working. How do I find out why the left side ain't working? Where and what do I look for in the wiring? Please help

Answer 1

take it to an auto parts store most of the time they will tell you what the problem is and where and how to fix it without charging you

Answer 2

Some of the other answers look good, especially the checking for power on the contacts of the socket. Also, IF your turn signal and brake light use the same bulb try turning on your emergency blinkers and see if it blinks. If not, the socket may be corroded, a fuse could be blown and/or a wire broken.

One other thought. IF the brake light and turn signal use the same bulb, it could be a defective turn signal selector switch since that switch turns off the brake light when you choose LEFT turn. If the turn signal selector switch didn't do this the light would never blink in the turn signal mode. Good luck. Pops

Answer 3

Check power to the socket with a test light. Put clamp end on a Good ground. Put on your lights on and test to see if you have a good ground on your test light but touching the probe to one of the contacts in the socket. One should light it up and the other will do nothing. Then turn the lights off and have someone step on the brake pedal.And check to see if one of the contacts makes the test light light up. If it does you just need to turn off all power and get a pick or paperclip with a little hook on it and pull up on those contacts a little so they make contact with the bulb correctly. If they don't light up at all and you know the test light is getting a good ground check the wiring in your trunk where it plugs into the light. A wire may have gotten damaged.
They also sell replacement sockets if you find power at the plug but not in the socket. The replacement part can usually be purchased at Napa or auto zone. It's cheap and easy to install.

Answer 4

Knowing make and model would be helpfull the year would be plus.
not knowing that,some cars do have fuses for one side only,most american cars your assumption would be correct.
most likely you are expieriencing a ground problem with your bulb socket try getting someone to apply the brake while you move the bulb side to side or twist the wiring into the socket some see if that makes it worl briefly.if it does your socket may be bad.hard to say .some cars have a fiber board that the bulb fits into and sometimes like on chey truck or volvos they melt inside requiring replacement

Answer 5

first you should clean the contacts in the left side brake light and check it with a tester or a meter to see if you're getting powere to it. just turn on the left signial light and you should get an interminting power indication if its working. if this does not help then you need to check for loose wiring on the left side for the brake lights.. you can check the lights to determine the color of wird you gonna be checking for loose or broken .

Answer 6

it actually could be the fuse. on some cars the left and right side have different fuses...if you have the owners manueal it usually has a troubleshooting guide for little things like that if it not the fuse or the wiring it could be needing some work....but i dont think itll be that

Answer 7

first thing is to check power for both terminal in the light bulb holder, if you have power to both, then check for a ground that is loose in the trunk of the vehicule on the side that is out. if the terminals looks grey in colour, try and clean the contact area, the correct colour is copper

Answer 8

Look to see if there is corrosion in the bulb socket,if there is clean it with small brush and qtip with alcohol.
Then put some bulb grease into the socket to help from having this problem again.

Answer 9

check the wiring it might be hosed up

Answer 10

what kind of car is it