"Brake Lamp"

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Mar 4, 2009 | 09:52 PM
  #1  
I was driving to school yesterday, and looked down and thought to myself, "Come to think of it, I have never seen that light ever come on. I wonder if it even works?"

I park, and as I'm getting ready to get out of the car, GUESS WHAT? The light came on. It was pretty freaky.

Well, my far right taillight bulb is out. So, I have two questions.

1) What is the bulb size, or where do I get it?

2) I know that Halogen's lose their brightness with age. So, if I get a new bulb will it be noticeably brigher than the other 3?

Thanks to anyone who can answer, the search feature hates me.
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Mar 4, 2009 | 10:01 PM
  #2  
they are sold in pairs at any parts store- dont recall the number but it is a trick bulb- about 6 bucks for the pair so put one to match on the other side

replace all 4 bulbs now if you are smart~
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Mar 4, 2009 | 10:49 PM
  #3  
Just a burned out bulb. Very easy to install.
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Mar 5, 2009 | 10:27 AM
  #4  
we don't have halogen taillight bulbs, so brightness won't be an issue unless the glass bulbs are discolored or darkened..the auto parts store has a book to tell you the bulb number for every car, but it is 7443 for tail lights, also your owners manual provides that info. I always replace in pairs since the others may go out pretty much around the same time, at least in my experience..the come in pairs most of the time anyway
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Mar 5, 2009 | 10:32 AM
  #5  
I dont know whats in them, but they sure are bright!
not your grandmas 1157
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Mar 5, 2009 | 11:32 AM
  #6  
mine stays on permenantly

the harnesses that came with my inspire tails dont read the american bulbs right.. so im stuck with it unless i just sell my inspire tails and buy depot ones..
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Mar 5, 2009 | 01:12 PM
  #7  
you can just take out the bulb and walk in a parts store and they will help you find one, its not that hard, well i dont think it is
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Mar 5, 2009 | 02:23 PM
  #8  
Quote: you can just take out the bulb and walk in a parts store and they will help you find one, its not that hard, well i dont think it is
except when i go in there.. i show them the bulbs that came in the tails and they go
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Mar 6, 2009 | 04:16 AM
  #9  
i have the " brake lamp" thing on too, i mean i was messing with the lights like almost 2 years ago, but that warning is still on now. Is there anyway to reset it or turn it off ?
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Mar 6, 2009 | 11:14 AM
  #10  
by fixing the dead bulb, including the 3rd brake light in rear deck

or if you have different, lower load bulbs, then install a $10-$15 LED load equalizer and that takes care of the warning lamp
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Mar 8, 2009 | 08:08 PM
  #11  
Got it done this Saturday. Wasn't hard at all. Bulbs cost like $6 for the pair.

1. Take out clips in the trunk trim piece. (The one that runs across the back bumper)

2. Remove trim piece. Takes 45 seconds.

3. Pull back trunk liner.

4. Grab bulb socket and rotate counter clockwise. After 1/4 turn, it should pop out.

5. Pull out burnt bulb and replace with new.

6. Reverse steps!
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May 26, 2009 | 11:01 AM
  #12  
I just got that indicator this weekend but I checked and none of my bulbs are burned out. What could be the problem and how can I fix it?
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May 26, 2009 | 11:04 AM
  #13  
Quote: I just got that indicator this weekend but I checked and none of my bulbs are burned out. What could be the problem and how can I fix it?
im thinking its just one of those gremlins in the car.

mines been on since i got the car. and i have replaced all bulbs with new ones... its just a wierd happening i guess..
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May 26, 2009 | 08:56 PM
  #14  
Quote: they are sold in pairs at any parts store- dont recall the number but it is a trick bulb- about 6 bucks for the pair so put one to match on the other side

replace all 4 bulbs now if you are smart~
Trick bulb-? What do you mean?
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May 28, 2009 | 09:39 AM
  #15  
When the light came on, I checked my taillights and none were burnt out.

If I had the lights on, all four bulbs lit up. Once you hit the brake, only 3 would get bright, and one would go out.

Maybe you are experiencing the same thing. You don't think you have one out because they all light up. Have someone press the brake for you and check the lights yourself with the brake pedal down. You'll see what I mean.
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May 28, 2009 | 10:30 AM
  #16  
trick bulb= fancy bulb that cost more than regular bulbs..like most things for the TL~

When you check them due to brake lamp warning you MUST have someone step on the brake pedal
How else do you activate the circuit?
Also the center/3rd brake lamp,, has to work or the warning will trigger
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May 28, 2009 | 11:57 AM
  #17  
Quote: When you check them due to brake lamp warning you MUST have someone step on the brake pedal
How else do you activate the circuit?
i park in front of my work... fully encased with glass.. and watch each bulb through the rearview mirror... first turn lights on... then hit brakes... then hit each turn signal.. then put it in reverse...

all bulbs work just fine and light remains...

i've given up on it though.. hopefully the warning signal will burn out soon seeing how its on 24/7
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May 28, 2009 | 04:31 PM
  #18  
Quote: im thinking its just one of those gremlins in the car.

mines been on since i got the car. and i have replaced all bulbs with new ones... its just a wierd happening i guess..
I hope this is not permanent especially when nothing is actually wrong. I had my wife check out the lights while I pushed the brake pedal and she said they looked good. Maybe I need to have her push the brake instead and check it out myself. One thing I did do is swap the brake light bulbs for silver bulbs. Maybe this is the problem
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May 29, 2009 | 12:32 PM
  #19  
...now im afraid to change my ugly yellow turn signal bulb...
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May 29, 2009 | 01:24 PM
  #20  
have someone else push the brake pedal
Only YOU can see the 2 bulbs on each side for brakes and the 2 center deck mount

Is it the brake LAMP warning thats on?
If you put in lower resistance bulbs that will trigger it just like installing LED signals will make it think there is a bad bulb- lower resistance than it expects
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May 29, 2009 | 01:25 PM
  #21  
gen2 are at an age for new tail bulbs and brake light bulbs and the headlight low beams
Its just that age and useage- bulbs grow dimmer, then fail
Replace in pairs
If a brake light do them all- they get the same use~
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May 29, 2009 | 01:36 PM
  #22  
Quote: have someone else push the brake pedal
Only YOU can see the 2 bulbs on each side for brakes and the 2 center deck mount

Is it the brake LAMP warning thats on?
If you put in lower resistance bulbs that will trigger it just like installing LED signals will make it think there is a bad bulb- lower resistance than it expects
I'm getting the brake lamp indicator on the gauges. I'll try and work on it this weekend.
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May 29, 2009 | 03:09 PM
  #23  
you can always use a stick or a board and wedge between the brake pedal and seat to turn on brake lights. I had a fake brake warning light, then I took out my 3rd brakelight bulbs, put them back in and it went away...the gremlin must of been hiding in the harness.
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May 29, 2009 | 03:21 PM
  #24  
Quote: you can always use a stick or a board and wedge between the brake pedal and seat to turn on brake lights. I had a fake brake warning light, then I took out my 3rd brakelight bulbs, put them back in and it went away...the gremlin must of been hiding in the harness.
good ol Uncle Jitty always comin up with the old skool ways of gettin it done...
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May 29, 2009 | 03:33 PM
  #25  
cleaning the bulb contacts and applying dielectric grease solves many woes
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May 29, 2009 | 09:11 PM
  #26  
An alternative way to check them yourself is to back up to a large window (storefront) & you can often easily see if all bulbs are working in the reflection.
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Jun 2, 2009 | 12:27 PM
  #27  
Quote: you can always use a stick or a board and wedge between the brake pedal and seat to turn on brake lights. I had a fake brake warning light, then I took out my 3rd brakelight bulbs, put them back in and it went away...the gremlin must of been hiding in the harness.
How do you get to the 3rd brakelight bulb? Already tried the search.
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Jun 2, 2009 | 01:54 PM
  #28  
^^Open Trunk, stick your head in, and look upwards...OH MY GOSH...WELL I'LL BE JOHN BROWN.. ;-)
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