Brake light wiring
 

Hey everyone,

I am trying to figure out why one brake light would be very bright, as it should be and the other light is very dim, only barely lighting the filament. Any thoughts?

Re: Brake light wiring
 

Check your ground

Re: Brake light wiring
 

I agree with Larry, that it sounds like a poor ground. Take a jumper wire and touch the housing to a good ground. If no change, then remove the lens and touch the light socket body to a good ground.

Re: Brake light wiring
 

Tail lights are grounded through the fender, the frame, etc. Many points to check.

Re: Brake light wiring
 

Try my trick for cleaning the barrel of the socket for each light. When you disassemble the tail lite assembly, use a plumbers pipe fitting wire brush to brighten the light socket after you remove the wire/pig tail. Also clean the threads of the mounting screws on the back of the tail light assembly. Bob

Re: Brake light wiring
 

Thanks for all the ideas. I tried using a jumper to ground the body and the socket and it didn't really make any difference. The sockets look clean and I pulled the light body off of the bracket and used some sandpaper to ensure a good ground. Still no difference. I wonder if there isn't sufficient voltage getting to the light... Bear with me, electrical isn't really my thing. Would the problem be where the wire splits from the other brake light? The driver's side is very bright...

Re: Brake light wiring
 

Is the bulb the right voltage, try swapping the bulbs and see what happens.

Bob

Re: Brake light wiring
 

Check the voltage. It should be about 6.2 V for 6V system and 12.4 for 12V system. If it is lower than that check the wiring from the driver's side to the passenger side especially the bullet connections. Solder them instead of crimping as makes a better electrical connection. You should also make sure the wiring is not a jury rig and using very small electrical wire instead of the proper size.
Bulbs are 1156 for 12V and 1133 for 6V 32 candle power or 1141 for 12V or 1129 for 6V 21 candle power for the Stop light.