Silversubie

My 95 civic ex coupe is having an issue with the brake lights. The inner tailight lights up when I step on the brakes but the outers don't work when braking. All taillights light up as running lamps but only the left inner light and 3rd brake light work as a brake light. What could it be?

shawn_crx

loose ground, bad buld, bad wire, bad connection, but first check for voltage at the bulb then go for there.

wheelmanbg

Definitely check for voltage at the bulb first. If no voltage, trace it back until you find voltage.

Former User

The bulbs may be bad.

werteg

Check bulb sockets for corosian from moisture. Wiggle the bulbs by remove and insert bulb a couple of times while the circuit is on and check if bulbs work. If not check bulb fillements.

Silversubie

all bulbs for sure work because they have started working within the past day however, the inner tail lights are the ones that light up when braking. Less than 24 hours later, the outer right tail light and inner left tail light lit up when braking , but not the inner right. They switched for some reason???

Silversubie

Update: I found a set of stock trunk lights and now all brake lights work except the outer left light. But it still works as a running lamp. So lost

jayWknight

iTrader: (3)

brake light switch above brake pedal.

wheelmanbg

Do you have +12 volts on the socket of the bulb that isn't working?
There should be 2 sets of contacts on it, one for tail lights and one for brake lights. Make sure you get voltage on both when brakes are applied.

Silversubie

I will have to check after work but I'm assuming the bulb is not getting 12v when the brakes are applied. Is it possible for the brake iight switch to give 12v to 3 of the 4 lights?

Silversubie

I changed all the bulbs and the inner trunk lights and now everything works fine. Thanks guys

thodgdon

Sorry to dig up this old thread but I'm having a similar issue. I think I've tried everything and nothing has worked. Running lights work, but no brake lights or third-brake light, and no backup lights. Here's what I've done already:

Replaced brake light switch. Confirmed working, allows shifting out of Park. I currently have the switch unthreaded from the bracket at the pedal but plugged in, to simulate the pedal being pressed constantly, in case i find the problem.

Checked fuses 52 (15A) and 19 (7.5A) underhood with multimeter, confirmed they're OK. Radio (same fuse as backup lights) works OK. Horn (same fuse as stop lights) works OK.

Checked voltage to green/white brake light wire at all sockets including 3rd brake light and plug from harness to each light module, confirmed no voltage.

I don't see how voltage cannot be showing up at the sockets at the bulbs. This car is totally stock OEM.

If anyone has an idea I would appreciate it - i'm just about to the end of my options...

Thanks!!