2000 LW1 brake light prob

[stocks101]

When car is off and depress the brake pedal both brake lights and 3rd light work fine. Start car and press brake pedal, 3 brake lights ok, but also I noticed the dash lights/radio lamp go out or dim.
Now if I turn on the headlights and depress the brake pedal, the brake lights don't work , except for the 3rd brake light. I also notice when this happens I hear noise like a relay is clicking around the shifter assy. What is going on???? Please need some insight where to start to look. One other thing where can I get bulb/assy for the 3rd brake light beside the dealer($$$$). I have been unable to find the socket with or without the bulb.
Thanks for any help!!!!!!!!!!

[sierrap615]

a few things come to mind...but most likey, i'm thinking bad ground.

do you have a multimeter? do the dash lights come on when you press the brake with the parking lights off? how old is that battery? have you ever expearince dimming headlights at night under heavy electrical load?

[stocks101]

Thanks for the reply. I found the problem. You guys lead me in the right direction. The $#@%^^& tail light assy and the bulb socket was the problem. I had to reform (bend) the tabs on the sockets and also clean up and reform the metal grid on the tail ligth assy. Now the sockets make good consistent contact with the tail assy grid.

Any idea on the bulbs and socket for the hi brake light assy? Thanks

[tinysmoke]

Originally Posted by stocks101

Thanks for the reply. I found the problem. You guys lead me in the right direction. The $#@%^^& tail light assy and the bulb socket was the problem. I had to reform (bend) the tabs on the sockets and also clean up and reform the metal grid on the tail ligth assy. Now the sockets make good consistent contact with the tail assy grid.

Any idea on the bulbs and socket for the hi brake light assy? Thanks

I finally found a bulb and socket for the hi brake light at O'Reillys here in the midwest. Also, Autozone said they could get one as well. I thought the price was still too high (about $3 if I remember correctly).

I inquired about replacing the incandescent lamp with an LED (light emitting diode). However, no luck whatsoever altho some advertised on ebay "might" work.

Has anyone found a good source to replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs?

[sierrap615]

i have a 94 SL2, with a trunk mounted center brake light. (its about 14" across) a local auto store(Murrey's auto, only in the midwest i think) had a LED light bar the perfict size, i wanna say it costed 15 or 25 dollars. i broke open the light bar housing, removed the bulbs from the stock brake light, drilled a hole in the side, slid it in, and sealed it up with silicone. if you want to try this, let me know.

[stocks101]

Thanks for the feedback on the upper brake light prob. I think I like the LED idea. I will look locally and see what I can find. We have Autozone, PEP boys, and a few others that may have something. Thanks again.

[sierrap615]

since many relate the brake light/dimming light problem to the L-series underpowered battery and underpowered alternator, some people have installed capitiors(sp?). they are like a battery but are much faster, they are mainly used in large audio system for harder bass hits. they can also reduce background noise in your stereo.

[97BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by stocks101

When car is off and depress the brake pedal both brake lights and 3rd light work fine. Start car and press brake pedal, 3 brake lights ok, but also I noticed the dash lights/radio lamp go out or dim.
Now if I turn on the headlights and depress the brake pedal, the brake lights don't work , except for the 3rd brake light. I also notice when this happens I hear noise like a relay is clicking around the shifter assy. What is going on???? Please need some insight where to start to look. One other thing where can I get bulb/assy for the 3rd brake light beside the dealer($$$$). I have been unable to find the socket with or without the bulb.
Thanks for any help!!!!!!!!!!

LW -- You have a special Saturn that nobody else has???

[sierrap615]

the LW(L-seires wagon) was first offered in 2000, 2004 was the last year