My Left Brake Light Failed keeps coming and going. Sometimes it's off, but most of the time it comes on. Any Ideas? I replaced every bulb on the left side today. They all work, but when you go to hit the brake, the bulb goes out.

 

If it's just your brake light, no other bulb in that housing having on/off issues, then it must have an issue with either the bulb housing (connection corroded or not snug on the bulb contacts) or the harness. Could be a wire pulling out of the harness, pin problem in the harness itself, but should be easy to track down once you determine which wire it is. You can test the pin itself on a voltmeter, apply brakes and see if it remains constant or variable. If thats good, it has to be the brake housing for the bulb itself.

good luck.

 

^Agreed. I've had the same issue and it turned out to a problem with the housing.

 

Thanks Guys.... Where did you get the new housing? I'm thinking that's what it is.

 

I wouldn't buy a new housing, yikes...talking several c-notes to close that deal.

Evaluate the bulb connection at the housing. See if its just not snug, you can fix that.

 

I've changed the bulb several times and each time the dash light comes on.... It only does it when the lights come on, then I hit the brake and the Brake/Tail Light Failed comes on. During the day, when the lights are off, it's fine.

 

Sounds like the bulb socket. Turn on the parking lights, wiggle the new bulb and see if it is a loose connection. If it is, you can fix that. If it doesnt make any difference how the bulb twists or turns, move farther away from the bulb...wiring and harness.

see how that goes ok?

 

I fought a similar problem on the left front turn signal light on my 2005 STR. Take the bulb out and look very carefully at the metal socket the bulb plugs into. My bulb had arced and burned a hole in the metal socket exactly at the spot where the wires from the bulb touched it. I kept changing bulbs which worked for a while and then it failed again. After I inspected the socket and saw the problem I tried to get a replacement socket but had no luck. If I ever find an S Type in the junk yard I will grab one but they are nonexistent in any of the yards I visit!!

So I took a piece of Aluminum foil and folded it on itself 4 times to get the thickness of foil I needed. Then I cut the foil into a small strip that was folded over the bulb wire on the base of the bulb. The strip is only about 1/4" wide. Then I pushed the bulb with its small bandage of foil into the socket. The foil bridges the gap burned in the metal of the bulb socket. Works great and after 5K miles still working fine.
.
.
.