Brake Lights Not Working At Night

[INQORIOUS]

Hello,

I recently purchased a 2003 Beetle GLS Convertible. I was checking the lights to make sure they were all working and I came across the brakes. I noticed that when the light switch is set for use during the day the brakes work fine, but when the light switch is set for night use the brake lights don't turn on. My first thought was to check the bulb but that will have to wait till tomorrow.

Does anyone have any other possible solutions? I'd greatly appreciate the help. If you need more information just let me know.

Thank you

[Duffy]

This could be related to the bulb's socket not making good ground contact. (A known problem) Remove the bulb and carefully bend the contact ring inward just enough to make a tighter contact with the bulbs metal case. Also, using fine sandpaper or emery cloth, shine up the contact ring.

I had a similar problem on my 03NBC - When applying brakes the parking light would dim and brake light would be on but very dim too. Doing the above fixed the problem.

[Blugg]

Originally Posted by Duffy

This could be related to the bulb's socket not making good ground contact. (A known problem) Remove the bulb and carefully bend the contact ring inward just enough to make a tighter contact with the bulbs metal case. Also, using fine sandpaper or emery cloth, shine up the contact ring.

I had a similar problem on my 03NBC - When applying brakes the parking light would dim and brake light would be on but very dim too. Doing the above fixed the problem.

As above, i had the same problem and this worked

[INQORIOUS]

UPDATE

Thanks for the help. Greatly appreciate it!!

I got around to working on the lights today. I somehow got the left brake light to work at night. All I did was take it out and place it back in. However, the right side still doesn't light up, but I will try working on the socket and tighten the contacts.

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by INQORIOUS

Hello,

I recently purchased a 2003 Beetle GLS Convertible. I was checking the lights to make sure they were all working and I came across the brakes. I noticed that when the light switch is set for use during the day the brakes work fine, but when the light switch is set for night use the brake lights don't turn on. My first thought was to check the bulb but that will have to wait till tomorrow.

Does anyone have any other possible solutions? I'd greatly appreciate the help. If you need more information just let me know.

Thank you

Its a double filament bulb. Its possible for one half of the light to work and the other not to work. You can check it by swapping it with your front turn signal to see if the bulb is any good still. If your socket is as bad as mine was, it will "eat" the bottom of the bulb away making it partially useless on the "night" light side.

Instead of sanding, i just replaced the entire part. It was roughly $25 at the dealership and its been almost 1 year and i haven't had that problem again. No more replacing bulbs for me!

[INQORIOUS]

Final Update


Thanks!! I tried the contact and did my best to clean it. It took care of my lights. They all work now the way they are suppose too.

Thank You For The Help!

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by INQORIOUS

Final Update


Thanks!! I tried the contact and did my best to clean it. It took care of my lights. They all work now the way they are suppose too.

Thank You For The Help!

w00t!!! !!!!!!!!

Congrats!!!!