Brake Lights not working consistently
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 20
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From: California
Car: 1984 Camaro z28
Engine: L69 5.0L H.O
Transmission: Automatic
Brake Lights not working consistently
I have an 84 z28. The driver side brake light doesn’t work half of the time. The normal tail lights work, but the brake light sometimes doesn’t work. Sometimes I wiggle the bulb in the socket (which has plenty of dielectric grease) which serves as a temporary remedy and sometimes it just works again by itself. I’ve even had times where neither brake lights will work and then they will start working again randomly. I used to think it was an issue with the bulbs/socket but I’ve tried many new bulbs already. Could this possibly be a fuse or something? Thanks for any suggestions.
NOTE: This all started to happen when I changed out the tail light bulbs and the driver side bulb was corroded into the socket. I had to rip it out with pliers.
NOTE: This all started to happen when I changed out the tail light bulbs and the driver side bulb was corroded into the socket. I had to rip it out with pliers.
Last edited by JoeMama54; Dec 20, 2018 at 07:46 PM. Reason: To add more information
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 4,174
Likes: 569
From: Meriden, CT 06451
Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: Brake Lights not working consistently
Are the connections in the socket clean? Are you putting the bulbs in the correct way? They are keyed but can be forced in incorrectly.
I have an 84 TA and had this problem also. I would find the ball(s) of solder at the bottom of the bulb worn smaller than needed to make good contact. I used to make a bigger ball with the soldering iron and some electronic solder. The real fix is to install a new pigtail socket.
I have an 84 TA and had this problem also. I would find the ball(s) of solder at the bottom of the bulb worn smaller than needed to make good contact. I used to make a bigger ball with the soldering iron and some electronic solder. The real fix is to install a new pigtail socket.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: California
Car: 1984 Camaro z28
Engine: L69 5.0L H.O
Transmission: Automatic
Re: Brake Lights not working consistently
Are the connections in the socket clean? Are you putting the bulbs in the correct way? They are keyed but can be forced in incorrectly.
I have an 84 TA and had this problem also. I would find the ball(s) of solder at the bottom of the bulb worn smaller than needed to make good contact. I used to make a bigger ball with the soldering iron and some electronic solder. The real fix is to install a new pigtail socket.
I have an 84 TA and had this problem also. I would find the ball(s) of solder at the bottom of the bulb worn smaller than needed to make good contact. I used to make a bigger ball with the soldering iron and some electronic solder. The real fix is to install a new pigtail socket.
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 4,174
Likes: 569
From: Meriden, CT 06451
Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: Brake Lights not working consistently
WD-40 will help break down the old grease in the light sockets.
Look at the solder ball at the bottom of the bulb. Is it worn down? Compare to a new bulb.
Look at the solder ball at the bottom of the bulb. Is it worn down? Compare to a new bulb.
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