Brake lights dont work

[Palmettoguy]

Neighbor told me today that my passenger brake light was out, I checked it and it was. The driver side and 3rd brake light were working fine.

So, I just replaced the passenger brake light and guess what?
Now, NONE of the brake lights are working

I checked to see if I had any other light issues and currently it's only the brake lights that dont work.

Any one have any idea why all my brake lights quit working after replacing one?

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by Palmettoguy

Neighbor told me today that my passenger brake light was out, I checked it and it was. The driver side and 3rd brake light were working fine.

So, I just replaced the passenger brake light and guess what?
Now, NONE of the brake lights are working

I checked to see if I had any other light issues and currently it's only the brake lights that dont work.

Any one have any idea why all my brake lights quit working after replacing one?

Go take the bulb out and check the socket the bulb sits in. If there is any rust or corrosion in there, it will eat away at the bottom of the bulb causing it to lose contact. A simple way to test with a new bulb is to use the bulb from your front turn signals

If it is fine, call your local dealership and ask if they are still doing the brake light switch recall and if you can take your car in.

[Palmettoguy]

The brake light bulb was burned out. I looked at it and the filament inside the bulb for the brake light was burned up.

The socket for the bulb is fine...no corrosion, no wear, nothing.

The fuse for the brake lights is fine, its a 7.5a fuse that was in the no. 5 spot is the fuse box.

The light I used to replace the brake light was a 7528 bulb.

I tried the other new 7528 bulb, incase the first one was defective.

The rear lights do come on when I turn the lights on....So, the bulb is getting power, just not to the brake light filament.

The other brake lights were working till I replaced the bulb in the passenger side.

I dont understand how it could be the brake light switch if ALL the brake lights stopped working AFTER installing the new bulb....Know what I mean?

[NewBeetleMechanic]

Originally Posted by Palmettoguy

The brake light bulb was burned out. I looked at it and the filament inside the bulb for the brake light was burned up.

The socket for the bulb is fine...no corrosion, no wear, nothing.

The fuse for the brake lights is fine, its a 7.5a fuse that was in the no. 5 spot is the fuse box.

The light I used to replace the brake light was a 7528 bulb.

I tried the other new 7528 bulb, incase the first one was defective.

The rear lights do come on when I turn the lights on....So, the bulb is getting power, just not to the brake light filament.

The other brake lights were working till I replaced the bulb in the passenger side.

I dont understand how it could be the brake light switch if ALL the brake lights stopped working AFTER installing the new bulb....Know what I mean?

And what happens when you take the bulb back out?
Do the other lights work again? All of the running lights working?

[Palmettoguy]

Originally Posted by NewBeetleMechanic

And what happens when you take the bulb back out?
Do the other lights work again? All of the running lights working?

When I take the bulb out, the other brake lights still do not work.

All the running lights work fine, with or without the replaced bulb installed.

The other brake lights, i.e. the ones that werent replaced, are not burned out either.

[NewBeetleMechanic]

Originally Posted by Palmettoguy

When I take the bulb out, the other brake lights still do not work.

All the running lights work fine, with or without the replaced bulb installed.

The other brake lights, i.e. the ones that werent replaced, are not burned out either.

Check the grounds back there.

[Palmettoguy]

Ok, I'll check the grounds. I found your ground location diagrams. Do you have a brake light wiring diagram? I looked and didn't see any.
Many thanks for your help on this issue and all of the other issues I'm having.

[CGK]

Don't overlook the obvious either.
It very well could be the brake light switch. If it is still the original, it is the old design (black) that were prone to failure. There was a recall a couple years ago for the brake light switch and the new design (green) should be the one to use.
Check it out.

[NewBeetleMechanic]

Originally Posted by Palmettoguy

Ok, I'll check the grounds. I found your ground location diagrams. Do you have a brake light wiring diagram? I looked and didn't see any.
Many thanks for your help on this issue and all of the other issues I'm having.

I have not uploaded any chassis diagrams yet, but I will get to it.

[Palmettoguy]

Went to the dealership to pick up a brake light switch just in case it is the problem and not a wiring issue.
They said I needed a 2 prong which was out of stock and cost 30 bucks, they had plently of the 4 prong in stock at 5 bucks each.
Well, I got home and guess what, I HAVE A 4 PRONG SWITCH

It got dark before I could finish removing the fenders and bumper cover, so it'll have to wait till tomorrow.

I did however find a wiring diagram for the brake lights so that will help.

[CGK]

WHOA!!
Did I miss something here?
Why are you removing the fenders and bumper cover??

[Palmettoguy]

The reason I was going to remove the bumper cover was so I could inspect the wiring, which I didnt end up in doing.

I went to the dealer, picked up 2 brake light switches. Installed one and everything works as it should now.

Still dont understand how replacing a bulb made my old switch stop working...Oh well.

Thanks again for all the help and info...