Ok so my brake lights work but my drivers side one will go out intermitenly it works fine when it is not plugged into the brake light housing, but when I put it in and all back together it will stop working. I thought that it was a bad connection in the socket so I put some connector silicone (didn't work) so went to a junk yard and got a different socket and it still does the same thing. I don't think it is a short because the other one works and it wouldn't be the switch for the same reason. I can't figure this out unless it is two bad sockets? anyone go through this?

 

Well, if you used real silicone, silicone doesn't conduct, so it wouldn't help. Dielectric grease is what is needed.

The socket would have been my first thought too, but if you used 2 sockets, with the same results....but the "new" one, was a used part, right?

Pep Boys (the only retail place I've found) has the correct, brand new, replacement 90 degree sockets, for our tail lights.

 

It could be a short-to-ground. try doing a continuity check from the socket to any ground. If you are getting continuity it's a short.