Bad brake light

[sj kahr k40]

I have a problem with my passenger side brake light, replaced the bulb and the light works as a taillight bu not as a break light, I think I need a new electrical unit that the bulbs fit into, the current one is melted

Do to my wife changing careers we are on a tight budget and it might be a few weeks before I can afford a new part.

In my reading of IC 9-19-6-17 I think that I'm legal

What does INGO think

Link to the code
Indiana Code 9-19-6

 

[Brandon]

what kind of car do you have?
you can go to pull/pick a part and get a replacement cheaper then new. on something like that assuming the donor car wasnt rear ended should do ya fine.

 

[remymartin]

Jeep? GM truck?

 

[balorg]

I recommend searching the internet for junkyards in your area and call them to see if they have the part. It might be cheaper than buying a new one from an Auto Parts store.

 

[sj kahr k40]

It's a chevy trailblazer, I haven't thought about pick a part, right now $5 is out of reach unless she has a great tips at work

 

[sj kahr k40]

My real question is the law, the way I read it I'm fine it still has 2 working brake lights

 

[esrice]

Could you have simply bought a single filament tail light bulb instead of a dual filament brake light bulb?

 

[sj kahr k40]

Could you have simply bought a single filament tail light bulb instead of a dual filament brake light bulb?

I thought that is what happened so I put the other one in the drivers side light and it works fine, then I put the one that I knew worked into the pass side and the same thing happened

 

[remymartin]

Most likely a bad circuit board on that side. Dealer only part AFIK. But do double check your bulb part # I believe it to be a 3057.

 

[Frank_N_Stein]

IANAL but it is my understanding that you only need to have one brake light to be legal. You need two taillights for some odd reason, but only one brake light.

 

[sj kahr k40]

Most likely a bad circuit board on that side. Dealer only part AFIK. But do double check your bulb part # I believe it to be a 3057.

I haven't found anywhere that sells them

It's a 3157, according to Napa, works fine in the drivers side

 

[sj kahr k40]

IANAL but it is my understanding that you only need to have one brake light to be legal. You need two taillights for some odd reason, but only one brake light.

Thanks Frank

 

[remymartin]

3157 and 3057 are interchangable. You sir have a bad board. Inspect the wiring harness where it connects to the board as well, I've yet to see one fail on a trailblazer; but the montanas, ventures.... all seem to burn up the black ground wire. Look for any melting and or charring; I doubt you'll find it, but it's worth a look.

 

[ReSSurrected]

I'm with remymartin on this one, C/K series, Montana/Venture burn the boards up often enough that the aftermarket repop's them.

I'll see what I can find in the way of taillight boards tomorrow at work and get in touch.

 

[gdh]

sj kahr k40,
Since you stated in your first post that the socket was melted and according to this sight, RockAuto Auto Parts the rear tail light sockets are the same for a Trailblazer and the 1990 Lumina that I am about to scrape out. I will ship a couple of the tail light sockets to you free if you want them.

 

[sj kahr k40]

It's defiantly the board, I swapped them and it does the same thing on the drivers side,
Thanks to gdh I will hopefully have it fixed soon

+1 to gdh

 

[Benny]

IANAL but it is my understanding that you only need to have one brake light to be legal. You need two taillights for some odd reason, but only one brake light.

Really? Then why can someone be pulled over for having a break light out(I've been a passenger when it has happened)?

 

[Benny]

It's defiantly the board, I swapped them and it does the same thing on the drivers side,
Thanks to gdh I will hopefully have it fixed soon

+1 to gdh

That is awesome...Reps to gdh when I recharge.

 

[Frank_N_Stein]

Really? Then why can someone be pulled over for having a break light out(I've been a passenger when it has happened)?

Like I said, its my understanding. We all know that not everyone interprets every law the same way.

 

[MedicMike]

There was a recall on the brake light assembly board, not sure for what years. They had problems with them, in fact I had the same problem in my 02' Bravada. Try a google search with year, make, model for recalls and it should come up.