Brake light problems

[getfreshco]

okay i feel like a idiot.....i was changing my tail light lens to the clear ones ....so i had to get some red bulb covers (i couldnt find red bulbs) anyway one of my bulbs was out so i decide to change it....i couldnt get the bulb out for some reason so i tryied to twist it out would go so i gave up ....i went to turn my light switch on and no rear lights come on.....only when i pump the brake do they come on ....how do i fix this? first off how do i get the bulb out of the socket thing?

[getfreshco]

can anybody help

[CD Smalley]

Push and twist to get the bulbs out.

[getfreshco]

thanx .....i got it out the only reason i couldnt get it out was becasue the glass was turning and not the whole peice ......i still have a problem with my lights....eveything is fine except that when i turn on my headlights you know how the tail lights are s'posed to come on too ....well they dont only when i pump my brakes do my lights come on ....anybody ?

[CD Smalley]

Well you've obviously got an open circuit then. Get a DVOM and start checking the wires from the back.

What year of car is this? Is it possible that you got bulbs that are only single filament bulbs and you need dual filament ones?

[silicon212]

My guess is taillight fuse. Check that and get back to us.

[getfreshco]

i have a 91 caprice classic.......im almost positive i have the right bulbs......1157's and reverse lights are 2057's ......what is a dvom?.... also have no idea where the tail light fuse is......i dont know if this will help but the switch that you push to turn on your headlights it doesnt make that sound anymore when the lights are left on ..i have no idea what that means but hey.....

[HLandin]

Dvom stands for Digital Voltage Ohm Meter. Basically, a digital multimeter. I hate the old analog ones. Basically, an voltage ohm/multimeter is used to check the voltage applied on components or to check the resistance of a device/circuit. You can use the meter to check where you have a voltage (check what is getting power) and check the resistance of things like fuses (to check if the resistance is too high indicating an open).

[CD Smalley]

Autozone.com shows 2057s for both 91 Caprice Classic. Try swapping one a 2057 into the brake light position and see what you get....

[getfreshco]

they both work .....when i took the old ones out the brakes had 1157's and the reverse had 2057's ....i switched them and still same results .......no lights when i turn on my headlights.......i also just noticed that my gauge lights are not on either ....speed'o and the light to see what gear your in (ex. P R N (D) 1 2 ).....

[HLandin]

If the dash light is not working, it could be several things; however, the most common culprit seems to be the adjustable switch the controls the brightness of the dash lighting (I have personal experience with that). If it is that switch, just replace it and the dash lighting should work just fine. Other causes could be bad bulbs, the on/off switch, or a break in the wiring somewhere.