HELP! Brake lights not working right

[briancastellanos]

Hi,

I'm having problems with my brake lights in my 1997 Nissan Altima.

The tail lights on the drivers side work ok, but the lights on the passenger are very dim. Also, the window mount light doesn't come on.

During the day when the headlights ARE NOT on, and brakes are applied, the two brake lights on the right do not illuminate correctly. The lefthand bulb lights okay, but the right only has about 50% brightness in only 1 filament; the second filament does not light. Also, the front parking lights (both the guide and parking lights) slighly illuminate to about 10-15% (which shouldn't have any brightness at all).

When the headlights ARE on and brakes are applied, the passenger side brake lights do not illuminate at all. (neither bulb nor any filament.)

I recently got into a fender bender, but the only damage at the time was a cracked grille. I noticed later that the passenger side bulb next to the headlight had burned out also. I replaced that and checked the fuses also (all of which work.) and all the other bulbs (they are all fine).

I do not know if a relay was damaged, or if a wiring harness was chaffed, or what else would be causing this.

It is very frustrating.

Please help,

Thanks,

Brian

[JustSayGo]

When you apply the brakes power is going to the running lights. There isn't a relay used in the running light or stop light circuits. Remove the double filament bulbs from both rear light modules and recheck the front parking lights with the brake applied. If they don't illuminate the problem is with one of the bulbs that are removed. The high mount brake light bulb in the rear window is probably burned out. Vibration from conditions like driving on washboard roads with lights on, or a collision while the brake lights are on has an adverse effect on light bulbs. Running the hazard lights until the battery voltage drops will also cause brake lights to overheat and fail.

[briancastellanos]

Checked the lights -- High mount bulbs were completely darkened & burnt out. Replaced all 4 1157 rear bulbs. Everything works fine now, thanks for the help!