rear brake light

I have a 01 honda accord, my passanger rear brake light won't come on. I've
tried changing the bulb and still I have no brake lights. I am at a lost
anyone have a suggestion on what I can do? Thanks.

 

Is the bulb's socket getting any current?

Make up or buy an inexpensive test light (or go to
AutoZone/PepBoys/Checker/Kragen and get a small 12 volt probe with a
light in the handle) and check to be sure current is even getting to
your light's socket If not, trace back down the wire -- as well as you
can find it -- to see where the current is being "blocked"...you may
have a loose or cut wire somewhere along the line. A wiring diagram of
your car would help.

If the socket IS getting current, then you must have a bulb ground
problem..no ground.

Fact is, if the bulb is not defective, then if it gets TWO things --
(1) 12 volt power and (2) is properly grounded -- it MUST light (since
your brake switch is working because it DOES make the OTHER brake bulb
work).

Good luck,

John D.

 

Is the bulb's socket getting any current?

Make up or buy an inexpensive test light (or go to
AutoZone/PepBoys/Checker/Kragen and get a small 12 volt probe with a
light in the handle) and check to be sure current is even getting to
your light's socket If not, trace back down the wire -- as well as you
can find it -- to see where the current is being "blocked"...you may
have a loose or cut wire somewhere along the line. A wiring diagram of
your car would help.

If the socket IS getting current, then you must have a bulb ground
problem..no ground.

Fact is, if the bulb is not defective, then if it gets TWO things --
(1) 12 volt power and (2) is properly grounded -- it MUST light (since
your brake switch is working because it DOES make the OTHER brake bulb
work).

Good luck,

John D.

 

John

You seem like a expert so here my question for you, do you
know if the turn signal is running on the same line? Cause I don't have the
problem when I hit the right signal, also do you happen to know where I can
get a diagram. I tried purchasing a service manual for my 2001 accord but
there are none publish? Thank you for your input I appreciate it.

 

John

You seem like a expert so here my question for you, do you
know if the turn signal is running on the same line? Cause I don't have the
problem when I hit the right signal, also do you happen to know where I can
get a diagram. I tried purchasing a service manual for my 2001 accord but
there are none publish? Thank you for your input I appreciate it.

 

No, I'm no expert, just a DIY guy. ;-)

I don't know your particular car but I was speaking in theory re: the
troubleshooting process which is a standard way to look for problems
like you describe, so if you need specific information you WILL need
to get a wiring diagram:

Where?

1. Go to your loacl AutoZone, Pep Boys, Checker, Kragen or whatever
and look for a Haynes Repair Manual (approx. $15) for your car...it
will have a wiring diagram in it...towards the end. Chilton also makes
a manual (approx $26). The factory authorized shop manual is the BEST
but it's pricey. Still, it has almost EVERYTHING about your car in it.
I could tell you the actual manual (Haynes #) -- all their
publications are listed in the back of each manual -- but I don't have
it with me at the moment...but I'm sure Haynes has one for your car. I
got mine at Pep Boys but Autozone has them for about the same price.
Online may be a bit cheaper but you pay shipping. Get it locally.

2. Go to a library and look up your car... some people have posted
that wiring diagrams are to be found there...do a search in their card
catalog/computer.

3. Search the Internet (www.google.com) for the key words "wiring
diagram" and your model car, or BRAND of car...something may turn up
since some websites have wiring diagrams plus car repair articles
available.

4. Go to Google Groups (search the "Groups" this time instead of
"Web") for the same key words you searched the Internet with...soemone
in a newsgroup may post about where to find a wiring diagram for your
car.

5. Make another post...this time ask someone -- who DOES have a wiring
diagram (schematics) -- for your car to SCAN the pertinent page (stop
lights, stop light switch, etc...the stop light circuit) and e-mail
you the image...when you get it, print it out on your printer.

Hopefully, it's something simple like a ground problem in the socket,
but you have to check as I told you re: using a test light. It's very
a common-sense/logical process once you understand the circuit.

That's really all I can tell you, but if you do all the above, you'll
come up with a wiring diagram. You won't need it if it's at the
socket, but if you have to look for other places where the circuit
ties in to another or whatever, you'll need the wiring diagram.

Good luck,

John D.

 

No, I'm no expert, just a DIY guy. ;-)

I don't know your particular car but I was speaking in theory re: the
troubleshooting process which is a standard way to look for problems
like you describe, so if you need specific information you WILL need
to get a wiring diagram:

Where?

1. Go to your loacl AutoZone, Pep Boys, Checker, Kragen or whatever
and look for a Haynes Repair Manual (approx. $15) for your car...it
will have a wiring diagram in it...towards the end. Chilton also makes
a manual (approx $26). The factory authorized shop manual is the BEST
but it's pricey. Still, it has almost EVERYTHING about your car in it.
I could tell you the actual manual (Haynes #) -- all their
publications are listed in the back of each manual -- but I don't have
it with me at the moment...but I'm sure Haynes has one for your car. I
got mine at Pep Boys but Autozone has them for about the same price.
Online may be a bit cheaper but you pay shipping. Get it locally.

2. Go to a library and look up your car... some people have posted
that wiring diagrams are to be found there...do a search in their card
catalog/computer.

3. Search the Internet (www.google.com) for the key words "wiring
diagram" and your model car, or BRAND of car...something may turn up
since some websites have wiring diagrams plus car repair articles
available.

4. Go to Google Groups (search the "Groups" this time instead of
"Web") for the same key words you searched the Internet with...soemone
in a newsgroup may post about where to find a wiring diagram for your
car.

5. Make another post...this time ask someone -- who DOES have a wiring
diagram (schematics) -- for your car to SCAN the pertinent page (stop
lights, stop light switch, etc...the stop light circuit) and e-mail
you the image...when you get it, print it out on your printer.

Hopefully, it's something simple like a ground problem in the socket,
but you have to check as I told you re: using a test light. It's very
a common-sense/logical process once you understand the circuit.

That's really all I can tell you, but if you do all the above, you'll
come up with a wiring diagram. You won't need it if it's at the
socket, but if you have to look for other places where the circuit
ties in to another or whatever, you'll need the wiring diagram.

Good luck,

John D.

 

As John D. said, the Haynes manual is good, the factory manual is
superb. You can get the factory manual at http://www.helminc.com

 

As John D. said, the Haynes manual is good, the factory manual is
superb. You can get the factory manual at http://www.helminc.com