Brake Light Not Working On One Side (Troubleshooting Guide)
A malfunctioning brake light can leave you scratching your head as you try to figure out what could be making it behave oddly. Lucky for you, this article will guide you through the potential causes of this problem and how to fix it.
One brake light not working is usually caused by a variety of issues such as a burned-out bulb, defective socket, damaged wiring, or ground wire problem.
In this article, we’ll walk you through all the potential causes behind your brake light not illuminating on one side. Plus, we’ll offer you a step-by-step guide on how to diagnose your vehicle and fix this problem.
Why Your Brake Light Is Not Working On One Side:
If the brake light on one side of your car fails to come on, you should pay attention to the following potential culprits:
Burned out bulb
If one of your brake lights doesn’t come on when you apply the brakes, the first thing to check is whether the bulb for that light is blown.
It’s normal for car bulbs to burn over time; you can tell a burned-out bulb by its darkened appearance or if the filament inside is broken.
If you inspect your bulb and it’s burned out and you need to replace it to restore the functionality of your light.
Faulty socket
If the bulb isn’t the problem, then the socket may be the culprit. For instance, the socket may become corroded or the contacts/prongs inside may become loose. This can lead to poor electrical contact with the bulb, making the light fail to come on.
Check if your socket has any signs of dirt, corrosion, or loose/damaged connections. Cleaning the socket or even replacing it if damaged can help solve the underlying issue.
Damaged wiring
The brake light from one side not coming may also be caused by a wiring problem. The wiring running from the brake light bulb to your car’s electric system may be broken, cut, worn, frayed, or even disconnected.
This can lead to disruption in electrical current flow to the light, causing the bulb to fail to illuminate. We advise you to inspect the brake light wiring for signs of damage and fix the affected sections.
Poor ground connection
A poor ground connection usually causes an incomplete circuit for the brake light. In other words, the bulb is unable to receive enough power to illuminate.
You should check whether the ground connection of your brake light to your vehicle chassis is loose, broken, or corroded, and repair it as necessary.
Inspecting the main vehicle ground is also recommended as it may help with solving the problem.
Faulty brake light switch
You may also consider checking whether your brake light switch is working correctly. The switch is a less likely cause since it usually affects all the brake lights if it becomes defective.
Nonetheless, we advise you to check it, especially if you have ruled out all the other issues above. You want to test the switch for continuity or misalignments and have it readjusted or replaced as necessary.
How Do You Fix The Brake Light Not Working On One Side?
Follow the steps below to uncover and solve the issue causing one brake light on your car to malfunction:
Step 1. Check the bulb: Get the bulb from the problematic light out and visually inspect it. If it appears damaged or burned out, replace it with a new bulb that matches the specifications of the old bulb. You can check your owner’s manual for more info on the type of bulb to buy.
Step 2. Check the socket: If your bulb is in good working condition, then you should consider inspecting the socket housing it. The socket or connector may be corroded or have melted plastic. In this case, you’ll need to clean it. The contacts inside could also be bent/misaligned. Try realigning them so that they can make proper contact with the bulb. If you think the socket is damaged beyond repair, consider replacing it.
Step 3. Inspect the wiring: If the bulb and socket look good, inspect the wiring and connections leading to the third brake lights. Check if they’re corroded, oxidized, loose, or damaged. In case of corrosion, clean the wires and connectors using a wire brush and a cleaning product like dielectric grease. Replace any sections of damaged wiring as well.
Step 4. Examine the ground connection: Now turn to the ground connection and inspect whether it’s loose or corroded. Either of these issues can cause the light to malfunction. If necessary, clean the ground wire and bolt that attaches the brake light housing to your car frame. Be sure to fix any loose connections.
Step 5. Inspect the brake light switch: As we said earlier, the brake light switch is a less capable culprit in this case. However, if you’ve reached this point and still haven’t solved the issue, then you should check if your switch is making proper contact when you apply the brakes. You can also test it with a multimeter for continuity to ensure it functions correctly. If you find the brake light to be faulty, replace it with a new one.
If your brake light is still malfunctioning after following the above steps, then you may want to get a certified auto mechanic to perform a more thorough diagnosis on your car.
Likewise, if you think the above troubleshooting guide is too much for you, you can let the professional do it for you.
Is Having One Brake Light Out Illegal?
Yes, it’s considered illegal to drive your car with one brake light out. Many states require you to have at least two or all your brake lights functioning.
Thus, if one of the lights goes out, you’ll be pulled over for this traffic offense.
The reason behind this strict traffic regulation is that brake lights are considered a crucial safety to have in your car.
When you apply the brakes, these lights come on to alert the drivers behind you that you intend to slow down or stop. They can then react accordingly and avoid colliding with you.
In the absence of one of the brake lights, the drivers behind you will still see the other brake light.
However, the overall visibility will be reduced and they may easily miss the only working brake light. This will result in an accident or collision.
Law enforcement will stop you for routine inspections. And if they find that one of your brake lights is out, they’ll give you a traffic ticket or order you to fix the light within a given period of time.
You can avoid getting into trouble by simply fixing your brake light if it starts malfunctioning. Besides, working brake lights will enhance your safety on the road.
Why Are The Brake Light And Tail Light Not Working On One Side?
Sometimes you may have only one brake light and taillight not working on one side of your car. The most likely causes behind this issue include:
- Burned-out bulbs: Some vehicles use a combination bulb for the tail light and brake light. These bulbs usually have dual filaments, one for each of the lights. If either or both filaments are broken, then the lights will not come on.
- Faulty socket: The socket housing the above bulb may also be faulty, leading to poor electrical contact with your bulb. Inspect the socket for corrosion, melted plastic, or dirt, and clean it as necessary. Also, ensure the prongs inside are making proper contact with the bulb.
- Wiring issues: Damaged or loose wiring leading to the bulb that serves these lights can also cause them not to come on. Inspect the wiring for signs of damage or loose connections and fix the bad sections as necessary.
- Bad ground connection: Poor electrical ground for the circuit of these lights could also make them stop working. Ensure that this connection is corrosion-free and well-secured.
To know the exact cause behind this issue in your car, we advise you to diagnose your car. Check the bulb, socket, wiring, and ground connections related to these lights.
If you’re unable to diagnose this issue on your own, have a qualified auto mechanic do it for you.
Why Are The Brake Light And Turn Signal Not Working On One Side?
It’s also common for one brake light and turn signal not to work on one side of your vehicle. The most common culprits to consider in this case include:
- Burned-out bulb: Some cars also use a combination bulb for the brake and turn signal lights. If this bulb blows, you’ll need to replace it to ensure the lights continue illuminating.
- Faulty socket: If the socket housing the bulb is corroded or damaged, it may also make the lights stop working. Clean or replace the socket as necessary.
- Faulty wiring: Issues with the wiring leading to the bulb that powers these lights can also make them stop working. Inspect this wiring for visible signs of damage and replace the affected sections.
- Bad electric ground: This causes an incomplete circuit for these lights, making them unable to receive enough power to illuminate. Inspect the ground for corrosion or loose connection and fix it as necessary.
- Malfunctioning multifunctional switch: Your vehicle may also be equipped with a multi-function switch that controls both the turn signal and brake lights. If the switch fails, it will also cause the lights to malfunction.
Again, diagnosing your car will help you uncover the exact issue causing these lights to fail to come on.
If you’re unable to diagnose this issue on your own, have a qualified auto mechanic do it for you.
While dealing with brake light issues can be vexing, other challenges with your vehicle might be even more stressful, especially if it involves ignition problems. For instance, Subaru vehicles, known for their reliability, aren’t immune to occasional starting troubles. If you’ve faced a situation where your Subaru Forester won’t start, our guide walks you through possible reasons and solutions. Similarly, if you drive an Outback and have encountered ignition issues, you might find our article on why a Subaru Outback won’t start particularly insightful.FAQs:
Your Zafira B brake light not illuminating on one side has several potential causes such as a burned-out bulb, faulty socket, wiring issues, poor electrical ground connection, or failing brake light switch.
Whether you can fix one brake light working by yourself depends on the complexity of the issue. For instance, issues like bad bulbs are easy to fix on your own. Generally, if you’re not confident fixing the brake light on your own, get your mechanic to do it for you.
You shouldn’t drive with one brake light not working. This is not only illegal in most states but also hazardous and can result in accidents and collisions.
Conclusion
One brake light not working could be caused by a variety of issues. The most common culprits include a burned-out bulb, defective bulb socket, bad brake light wiring, and issues with the ground connection. A failing brake light switch may also turn out to be the culprit.
Diagnosing your car will help you pinpoint the exact cause. This way, you can easily fix the issue and restore the failing brake light. If you follow our troubleshooting guide above, you’ll have an easy time diagnosing and fixing this brake light problem.