Brake Lights doing something Weird?

Question

I have a 2000 Oldsmobile Silhuette (minivan)

The brake lights are acting weird, when you press the brake, instead of just lighting up the brake light bulb, it lights up all 4 bulbs in the taillight assembly (brake, reverse, turn, tail lights)

On one side, the bulbs are all really dim, so at first glance it looks like the bulbs are out, but they really are on, on the other side, they are a bit brighter but still all of them light up.

If you use the turn signals while the brake is not on, they work fine, but when the brake is on, they act funny also.

Any ideas what could cause this? All bulbs are working, my thought is there is a problem with the computer but I'm trying to avoid paying the dealership to fix it.

Answer 1

Loose ground wire at the light assemblies.
(trust me)

Answer 2

Sounds more like a wiring problem. It could be caused by any number of things. You might have a bad ground somewhere. There might have been a short at some point that heated the wires and melted the insulation. I had that problem with a truck I used to have. When I drove with the headlights on, put the left turn signal on and stepped on the brake ALL of the lights would go off. Also, if you have had any work done like an alarm or aftermarket stereo install they might have cut into some of the wrong wires and not fixed it properly.

Answer 3

This is not a computer related problem,you have a broken filiment in one of your brake/signal light bulbs,I would suggest you change all of the bulbs in the rear of vehicle,also when bulbs are dim it usually indicates a poor ground.But change the bulbs first,making sure that you get the correct type.

Answer 4

wire harnesses are funny too, one little broken or frayed wire and they do all kinds of funky things like working or inmost cases not working.

Check into t he cost of replacing the wire harness, but check first the bulbs in the assembly, a loose bulb will cause the problems you suggest and all it takes is a twist to retighten.

Answer 5

Sounds to me to be a wire shorting out somewhere , visibly check for a frayed wire (or wires )if none are found use a circuit tester and check for continuity....

Answer 6

I'd first check for a short circuit, possibly water in the tailight connection.

Answer 7

It sounds like a computer/electrical issue.

Never take it to a dealership, just take it to a trusted mechanic, it won't cost that much.

Answer 8

more than likely its a bad ground