Brake light 2002 venture

[gavinx]

My 2002 venture works well. However, the left rear brake light does not come on when the peddle is pushed. The bulbs are new and both filaments intact - they work fine on the right side. THe brake light comes on when the handbrake is used but not the peddle. Sounds simple but I dont want a ticket. Any ideas?

[DRW1000]

I am surprised that the brake light comes on with the handbrake. I assume you are referring to the rear lights. These are not supposed to come on with the handbrake

[gavinx]

Originally Posted by DRW1000

I am surprised that the brake light comes on with the handbrake. I assume you are referring to the rear lights. These are not supposed to come on with the handbrake

It may be the tail light. Its my wifes van (I use a 98 prizm) and Im not too familiar with what lights where. Certainly its the rear and one filament does light, while the one controlled by braking (red lights, stop signs etc) does not, although the bulb is new and fine.

Thanks for the heads up, though.

[sharo23]

remove the harness from the socket and look at the connetion for burn
had seen some with melted conn also.

[busdriver]

I was having same prob really. Drivers side was out....then the right side is out now that we messed with it to try to see if bulb is out. I can't figure out why my cruise control goes off when I change lanes and use blinker. Ideas?

[ypelchat]

Originally Posted by sharo23

remove the harness from the socket and look at the connetion for burn
had seen some with melted conn also.

I've had the very same problem on my 2001 Venture. It's the left rear brake light. If you look carefully, you will probably find that the bulb's socket has melted. There's a GM technical bulletin on this problem.

Yves.

[shogunl]

you need a new rear light circuit board as they call it. GM have problems with those. They short circuit inside causing bulb base to melt from the heat. I had to replace 2 of those. You can try your luck at wreckers for about $130 or $250 at the dealer.

[DRW1000]

Originally Posted by ypelchat

I've had the very same problem on my 2001 Venture. It's the left rear brake light. If you look carefully, you will probably find that the bulb's socket has melted. There's a GM technical bulletin on this problem.

Yves.

Do you have the TSN number or contents??

[GregA]

Originally Posted by DRW1000

Do you have the TSN number or contents??

Here you go:

TSB #03-08-42-007A - (Jan 9, 2004)
Tail Lamp/Brake Lamp Bulb Inoperative (Replace Bulb and/or Circuit Board)
2000-2004 Chevrolet Venture
2000-2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette
2000-2004 Pontiac Montana
Revised to add model years (from 03-08-42-007).

Condition
Some customers may comment that the upper left hand or right hand tail lamp/brake lamp bulb is inoperative.

Cause
This condition may be the result of moisture entering the lamp housing and changing the bulbs resistance, causing the bulb to burn out and or melting the circuit board.

Correction
Replace the burned out bulb and the circuit board if needed. Apply dielectric lubricant or dielectric grease to the left hand and right hand tail lamp bulb terminals.

Parts Info
Part # Description
12377900 (10953529 in Canada) Dielectric Lubricant
12345579 Dielectric Silicone Grease
12533713 Circuit Board-Left
12533714 Circuit Board-Right
9441839 Bulb

Take Care,

[Mordac85]

I'm having the same problem and have pulled my hair out looking for the cause. Thanks for the TSB and part info.

Now, where can I find the ckt boards you mentioned? Are they located behind the rear side panels on either side of the cargo area or elsewhere?

[GregA]

Originally Posted by Mordac85

I'm having the same problem and have pulled my hair out looking for the cause. Thanks for the TSB and part info.

Now, where can I find the ckt boards you mentioned? Are they located behind the rear side panels on either side of the cargo area or elsewhere?

I think you have to remove the tail light assemblies to get at the circuit boards.

I don't have access to my manuals right now, but can show where they are in a few days (or maybe someone else can before that time).

Take Care,

[AJT1961]

The "boards" (which are just the rectangular plastic assemblies with 4 bulb sockets) are accessible by opening the rear hatch and removing the tail light assemblies. The boards are attached to rear of the tail light assembies. If you replace the boards, make sure you also purchase the wiring harness kits which are the replacements for the wiring harness plugs leading to the tail lights. It's a quick and easy job. My local Chevy dealer stocks both the boards and the wiring harness kits, which gives you some idea how often they need to replace these items.

[DRW1000]

Are these circuit boards and light assemblies different from the 99s? I see the TSB covers 2000 and up but I have had my bases melt on my 99.

[Mordac85]

Well, it must've been gremlins. I tried swapping the bulb from the driver's side to the passenger side to verify they were working and now they started working again. I just hope it doesn't cut out the next time I hit a bump in the road. Thankfully nothing was burned (socket, board or harness) and it looks like there hasn't been a moisture problem. Thanks for pointing out where the ckt boards are too.

Wierd tho...

[ypelchat]

GM now uses a new 3157 bulb design, in order to prevent the bulb socket from melting. The new 3157 has an all glass socket. The bulbs socket is not made of plastic anymore. You should ask for the newer bulbs. I had a melting problem with the older design. The problem seems to be gone now.

Yves