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Rear brake lights not working?

Tiny
EK20
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 135,000 MILES
I have a 99 civic hatch with 135000mls my break lights don't work but my running lights do I checked the fuses and they are all good I checked the bulbs and the spoiler bulb was burnt so I replaced it thinking it could be a linkage to all three lights. So I replaced the spoiler bulb pressed the breaks and the only one that works is the spoiler breaklight. I also checked the plunger and conector and its all good and clean also the wires are good too. Could it be a bad ground for the two rear tail lights? Thanks for your help!
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Saturday, September 4th, 2010 AT 1:09 AM

38 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi ek20,

Did you try changing the other two bulbs that did not work?
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 1:19 PM
Tiny
EK20
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
No I didn't because the bullbs are still good.
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 1:19 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Were they tested? How do you know they were good?
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 1:19 PM
Tiny
EK20
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I didn't changed them because the rear running lights work. Do you meen I need to check the bulbs to see its the right ones? (Required bulbs) I just got the car 2weeks ago and I don't know if the last owner replaced the bulb and got the wrong one. Ill check.
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 1:19 PM
Tiny
EK20
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I checked both rear tailights all bulbs. And they seem to be the same bulb number match as the other. I've notice that when I turned on the running lights the Left side (driver) lower light didn't come on so I tapped the tail light and I came on I know that it means bulb going bad soon. What could it be? I know its somthing simple. Thanks for taking your time to help me.
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 1:19 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
The brake and taillights are 2 different circuit in one bulb and they can fail individually. Get the bulbs replace and retest.
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 1:19 PM
Tiny
MARK43
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
The brake lights on the right side do not work, the ones on the left work great. Also, all the tail light and turn signal lights work great. I have replaced both bulbs in the right side and checked the fuses. I noticed the right side was out when I got up one morning and noticed the brake lights were all on except the right side. I was able to fix that. It was little plastic piece in the brake pedal that rubs against the brake switch when you let off the brake. Thanks for your help
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,758 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

The first thing I need you to do is check for power to the socket. You will need a test light. Here are general directions for using a test light as well as how to test wiring:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

If there is power to the light socket, either the socket is bad or there is a grounding issue.

I have attached a schematic for your vehicle. There will be three wires at the socket. One will be green/white, one will be red/black, and one black. The one that is all black is the ground. The red/black is the power supply to the light. It should have 12 volts when you press the brake. The green/white will also take power to the third brake light, so it should also show power. If you get power to the red/black wire, check and confirm the ground is good by checking continuity. You will need a multi meter for that. It basically checks to see if there is a completed ground connection between the black wire and the car's body.

Take a look at the schematic to locate ground locations. I realize you indicated little knowledge. Do not be intimidated with this process. It is not as hard as it appears.

Do this first and let me know if you need help, have questions, or need additional information.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LIKEMACK
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 132,000 MILES
Yes I have 1998 honda civic ex my break lights do not work I checked fuses and bulbs also the break switch on the pedal do you have any answers thanks
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check for power at the brake switch going in and out -present-check the ground circuit/bulb socket
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LIKEMACK
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
I checked for power coming in but I did not check it coming out I will check that thanks
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
If there is power up to the globe, check that you have an earth.
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FELIXSCIVIC
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • HONDA CIVIC
Hi my car is a 1998 honda civic ex. It is automatic. And my problem is that I took my car to get painted at a body shop after it was minorly hit on the left taillight. After I got the car back everytime I would use my left signal or right signal all the lights would blink including the licence plate lights. Also at night the running taillights dont work. The head lights and brake lights work. But the problem is when I use the left and right signal. They blink like if I had the hazard lights on. So if u could please help me I would apreciated alot.
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The only way for that to happen is the turn signal wiring/license lite are shorted together.
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CSC723
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA CIVIC
  • 150,000 MILES
The right rear brake light in my car is not illuminating even after I replaced the bulb. I haven't checked the fuse yet, but I don't think this is the problem as the left brake light still works. I'm not sure what to do next so would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you!
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Do you have a multi meter to do some testing?
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
It is not a fuse problem. You need testings to find out what is wrong. Power supply, bulb, socket and ground cirsuits are possibilities. Have you tried swapping the left and right bulbs?
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CSC723
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the responses. I don't have a multimemter but can get one. I'm just not sure what to test. I haven't tried switching the two bulbs, but I put a brand new bulb in the right socket and there was still no light so I know it's not a problem with the bulb.
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
It could be a fault with the socket itself. Get a DVOM, set to 20 volt range, or test light and get a helper to depress the brake pedal while you remove the bulb that is not working and probe center of the socket with the red probe and ground the other probe to any body part that has continuity. Usually a bolt tightened to body would do.

If battery voltage is available, the wiring is good.

Btw new bulbs are not guaranteed to work. Try swapping between sides first.
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I would also check the ground to the bulb you can have power but without a ground the bulb wont. Light.
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Saturday, October 31st, 2020 AT 10:44 AM (Merged)

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