Brake light troubleshooting help please ;)

[utcarsons]

I know this has been discussed here before, but I'll be darned if my search doesnt pull up just two posts when I search for brake light... :compumad:

Anyway, I have a brake light out on one side (drivers) and it has been that way for a bit.  We are planning a long trip and I need to get it taken care of.  Can anyone help me out with some troubleshooting tips to pinpoint my problem?  Ive tried the obvious replacing the bulb and even opened up the  connector and checked that all my wires were seated properly.  On my list already is to clean contact everywhere and recheck, but is there any way to pinpoint where my problem lies more exactly if none of these work?

If it matters...  2001/2? Coleman Cottonwood, Honda Ridgeline TV

TIA!
Jodie

Happy :U

[oreo57]

volt meter or 12v test light. Does the blinker work on that side or is it dead also, does the running light work ?? if not that may indicate a bad ground at the socket. If all fails start at the TV and work your way back.
 
Good Luck

[rccs]

If your turn signal does not work on that side also, and it most likely does not, it could be that the bulb is not making a good connection in the socket of the fixture itself. I had the same problem with my 1995 Coleman a couple of years ago. I checked and cleaned the bulb and socket contacts and the light would still not work. What I found was that the fixtures them self have the wires for the bulb just pushed into contacts and not a very solid connection. I took each wire loose one at a time and stripped the insulation and soldered them in place instead. I have not had a problem with the lights since.

[GlennS]

Yup, could be any of the above-mentioned items. Assuming the brake/turn lights on the TV are working OK, use a voltmeter or 12V test light and start at the TV connector:
- If the brake lights are activated on the TV, does the brake light at the connector show 12V? (you'll need to know the pin-out of your TV connector)
- If the turn signal on that side is activated, can you see the on-off 12V on the TV connector?

If those two are OK, connect the trailer and check the wires that feed the bulb in the trailer light. If you can see 12V at the wire but the bulb doesn't work, you've got a bad connection, as rccs mentioned.

It's basically a process of determing if the TV is providing the correct signal/voltage, then following it through to the final element, in this case the bulb.

Good Luck!

Glenn