It all started with a "check tail light" warning while braking. Turns out I had a bulb out which is an easy fix right? I changed the bulbs on both tail lights and now I am not getting any dim red tail lights. When I apply the brakes, it illuminates the dim lights instead of the brighter brake lights. What have I done wrong? I feel like it's an easy fix but I can't get my head around it. It may also be worth mentioning that my lights (front and rear) only work on the automatic selection. Help on that would be appreciated too.

 

Have you fitted the correct bulbs ? 5w / 21w twin filament single pole bulbs as opposed to a double pole single 5w bulb, they both have two contacts at the base and look very similar. Do the side/ parking lights at the front come on when you put your foot on the brake with the lights tuned off ?

 

I'm pretty sure I got the right bulbs. The package says "Replaces 17916/P21/5W". And no, the front side parking lights do not come on when the lights are off and I press the brake.

 

It is possible to put the bulbs in the wrong way. If you do, you only get the tail lights lighting when braking.
Take the bulbs out and check the locating pins on the bulb, one pin is higher than the other. Make sure the high pin on the bulb goes in the appropriate slot in the holder. Bill W

 

So now I've flipped the bulbs around as Heliwilly suggested and now I am getting bright brake lights but still no running tail lights at night.

 

Either a broken wire or (far more likely) a single filament bulb. Pull it out and check it, again.