I am here in Charlotte, NC. It is required to have our vehicles inspected in this state. When I went in for the inspection the other day my car failed the inspection due to this problem:

My tail lights work, however when I hit the brakes. The brake lights come on very dim. If I tap the brake pedal multiple times...every now and then everything will work fine, but it needs to work ALL the time. The same can also be said for the high mount brake light. If the brake lights only come on dimly, then the 3rd brake light doesn't come on....if all the rear lights work like they should...the 3rd brake light comes on. Any suggestions??? My car is not modified at all whatsoever.

 

That sounds like a loose or corroded ground, although I don't know where the ground is. Check the wire harness that goes to the brake light housings; there might be a wire that comes out of it that is connected to the body. That's the ground.

 

Not sure about your Model Year or Mileage. If still in warranty (4 yr, 50,000 mile ??) then take it to Hendrick to have it repaired under warranty.

Otherwise, somebody is going to have troubleshoot the short and repair it.

 

I have the exact same issue with my 2005 TL, I found out from a driver on the road that my brake lights light up very dim.
I took it to Acura today and the tech said that he's never heard of the problem and when he tried it the brake lights worked fine....so now the car won't reproduce the issue.
Let me know what turns up with your car, I'm going to take it back to them on Tuesday after I've let the car sit for 3 days, I'm thinking it's maybe the contact on the brake light switch that has some corrosion on it....???

 

Sounds unusual to me, since anytime I am behind a TL at night, I am nearly blinded by the brakelights. They seem much brighter than the norm.

 

Talked to another mechanic at Woodfield Acura Illinois and they said that this is a common problem with a mis-aligned brake pedal sensor. The common resolution is to either re-align the pedal sensor plunger or to replace the brake pedal sensor switch. Hope this helps....
No I just need to convince my Acura dealer in Virginia that this is what needs to be done!

 

I have the same problem, but its with the left brake light. When I have the lights on, the lest on seems dimmer than the right. When I hit the brakes, again, the left is still dimmer. I took it to Acura and this is what they said.

It could be the LED connector or board is weaken due to time and usage (wear/tear thing).
My car is just out of warranty, and they said my extended warranty will not cover this. I argued that my car is well within the mileage and is just one month out of warranty, and asked if they can do this for me a courtesy. The rep asked the manager and said that this is only covered under the 1 year 20000km adjustment period. They said I would have to replace the the whole LED unit at a cost of 279.00 + install and tax, or I can replace the whole left tail at a coast of 550.00 + install and tax. I told him, thanks, but no thanks.

I know this is not a big deal, but it kinda bugs me that one said is brighter than the other. When the brake is not engage, and the lights are on, they look the same. Its only noticeable when the brake is engaged.

Anyone else have this problem?
Any advice?

 

Had my left rear unit replaced under warranty after two weeks from delivery. They also said it was an unknown problem. Seems like a lot of stuff is an 'unknown problem' for the dealerships mechanics.