I am asking this for a coworker, so bear with me.

The tail lights on my coworker's '03 Tibby come on just fine with the rest of the car's lights, but they do not become brighter when the brake pedal is pressed.

As far as I am aware this is the only lighting/electrical related issue she is having.

She has checked the basic stuff- bulbs and fuses. Both are fine.

The car is due for state inspection at the end of the month. It will not pass as-is. Any help getting this sorted out would be appreciated.

 

Did you check the brake light switch above the brake pedal?

Does the CHMSL (center high-mounted stop lamp; AKA third brake light) light up?

 

As I mentioned this isn't my car, but I will be sure to ask the owner.

Will post her reply when I get it.

 

1) She has already replaced some sort of sensor related to the brake system if that is what you were referring to. If not, could you be a little more specific as to the location of that switch? I'm trying to do this (mostly) via text message.

2) 3rd brake light comes on

 

Are you sure the bulbs are good? The bright filaments for the brake lights could be burned out while the lower powered parking light filaments could still be working. I'd test both bulbs first.

 

That right there confirms the fact the brake light is functioning properly sending power to brake lights...

Repair should be simple replacement of the left and right brake light bulbs..

Be aware of the hi and low pins on the base of the bulb, this is to insure the proper orientation of bulb in socket.. note the hi and low slots in the socket too,, try to install bulb wrong, you'll find it tight to turn bulb... align pins proper to the slots, bulb will set right in and freely rotate into position.

 

She confirmed that the bulbs have both been recently replaced. I told her to double-check to make sure they are seated correctly. As it is past dark and almost bedtime for both of us, it will be at least tomorrow until I know for sure.

As a side note, a part-time mechanic I know suggested that the sockets the bulbs plug in to might be the problem. Is this at all a possibility?

 

Quite often people not install bulb correct, see it al the time.. being a dual filament bulb agravates the situation,,, as the bulb could be install wrong, and the only filament glowing could be the brake (hi watt).

I have a fella in pick up truck I see about every other morning going down interstate with his lights on (it dark and before sunrise)... and he has either his bulbs instal wrong, or repalced the sockets and they wired wrong... he drives down highway with his brake lights glowing nice and bright.

2357 bulb, 2 filament, tail light (low watt) and brake light (hi watt),, note the 2 pins to align bulb correct in socket ---




High slot for the high pin on the bulb --



Lower deep slot for the low pin on bulb base -

 

Just a small update.

I mentioned your suggestions to my coworker on Friday. I showed her this thread on my phone.

From the descriptions given, even she's thinking the bulbs are in wrong.

We didn't have the proper tools to check that day. It will be Monday or Tuesday now. Will post back again when I have the chance.