Hi folks. 99 Acura TL. Replaced all bulbs for brake lights. When hitting the brake, the lower lights (in the tail light cluster) do not activate, but the light on the console (in the back window) works fine. All other tail lights are fine; running lights, reverse lights, turn signals. Only weird thing is that we've gotten a ton of rain over the last few days, but otherwise nothing has changed with the car. Any ideas? Thanks a lot!

 

The power for the left and right brake light bulbs goes through the brake light failure sensor, while the high mount brake light does not go through the brake light failure sensor.

The brake light failure sensor is located in the left rear of the trunk, next to brake/taillight socket. The harness connector for the brake failure sensor is a separate 6 pin gray connector. Disconnect the 6P gray connector for the brake light failure sensor. With a small wire, jump the 6P connector cavity terminal (where the Wht/Blk wire is) to the cavity terminal (with the Grn wire). The Wht/Blk wire is a wire with white insulation and a black stripe running through it. Depress the brake pedal; does the left and right brake lights work? If they work this way, you probably have a faulty brake light failure sensor.

 

^what he said. But check bulb for license plate. Sometimes little things like that can disrupt the flow of things and cause headaches. Happened to me when after replacing all bulbs and still had "brake lamp" on dash and front turn lights would come on everytime when I brake. Found out bulb in rear license plate wasnt seated properly and once corrected it solved all issues.