Weird Brake light issue...

**SuperAvant** · 10-25-2008 06:58 PM

Both my brake lights blew today on the left side (there are two of them) and I found this odd that they blew at the same time. Nonetheless I went to pick up some P21W bulbs from CAP which surprisingly they had them in stock. I replaced the original's and it still doesnt work. The fuse doesnt make sense because it controls all brake lights and the right side and the center brake lights work. Anyone know what might be the deal here?

**likewater** · 10-25-2008 07:15 PM

This is going to sound stupid but check to make sure you are putting the bulbs in the correct place. I made this mistake. When you take more than one bulb out at a time, if you don't put them back into the proper slots, they won't work. I haven't been inside the light assembly for a while, but if I remember correctly there is an open slot that is not used. I accidentally put one of the new bulbs into that slot and of course it didn't work. After I got them in the right place, everything worked perfectly.

**SuperAvant** · 10-25-2008 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by likewater

This is going to sound stupid but check to make sure you are putting the bulbs in the correct place. I made this mistake. When you take more than one bulb out at a time, if you don't put them back into the proper slots, they won't work. I haven't been inside the light assembly for a while, but if I remember correctly there is an open slot that is not used. I accidentally put one of the new bulbs into that slot and of course it didn't work. After I got them in the right place, everything worked perfectly.

When I removed it there were definitely bulbs in every slot. I have no idea here. Connections look good. Im at a loss...

**Chapunki** · 10-25-2008 07:51 PM

I am having brake light problems as well, my DIS will give me a warning that the right rear brake light is out but it will go away after I turn off the car, only happens once in a while, what could it be?

I've noticed the right side is definitely dimmer...

**40valve** · 10-25-2008 09:21 PM

Is it just brake light that is out or all of them out too?
Maybe check the connection in the back and make sure it didn't get loose.

**SuperAvant** · 10-26-2008 02:21 AM

Originally Posted by 40valve

Is it just brake light that is out or all of them out too?
Maybe check the connection in the back and make sure it didn't get loose.

Its just the brake light that is out as the parking light and flashers work. Ugh I hate wiring!

**likewater** · 10-26-2008 08:14 AM

There is also a bulb in the left assembly that is a "rear fog" bulb. It's the one on the far right in the assembly. Again, I would check to make sure all the "correct" bulbs are in the "correct" spots.

**40valve** · 10-26-2008 01:19 PM

Did you happen to figure it out?
Asking because I just got a warning that left license plate light is out.
I went and pulled it out and the bulb looks fine. Swapped it with the right one and it works on the right side and the one from the right doesn't work on the left. So I know it's not the bulb. I'm thinking it's the same issue that you are having.

Sorry don't mean to thread-jack, just wanted to let you know that you are not crazy

and that something else can be going wrong

**2PUTT** · 10-26-2008 01:39 PM

it could be the harness. this has been known to be an issue with the B6. it can lead to your battery getting drained. this cannot be diagnosed via VAG.