rizmonkey

I've been struggling with the driver's side brake light for some time now on my 2001 Grand Cherokee Loredo....... then tonight I got pulled over for no driver's side brake light.......... I got a 5 day fix it ticket so I need to fix it within the 5 days or get as real ticket...... The odd thing is this.... the brake light doesn't work with the lights on BUT it does work with the lights off...... I even asked the officer to check once I turn the lights off and he said that it was working once i turned off the lights........it's only with my lights on that the brake light doesn't work. I need your help more than ever so I can get it fixed in the next few days. PLEASE HELP !

RIZ

tiwvr1

Try a bulb, check the socket, and the grounds.

mxpxpunkrock1987

the bulb is bad or either the light itself is faultly arent those with the circuit board behind the light that is most likely the issue very common wth those

dave1123

You may have a pinched wire in it somewhere. Does it have a tow package?

rizmonkey

All the bulbs on both sides have been replaced.

Where are the grounds?

I don't have a tow package

RIZ

dave1123

You may just have found you problem, even though you don't know it. There is a problem with your grounds. With the lights off, your brakelight grounds thru the tailight filament. With the lights on, power comes into the brakelight from the tailight but isn't enough to light it. When you step on the brake, you get power from both directions and it won't light. This system is similar to the front turn signal and side marker flashing alternately. You obviously have a break in the ground circuit just to the brakelight socket. I think the master lighting ground is inside behind the driver's side tailight.

rizmonkey

If I replaced the entire driver's side taillight assembly ( assuming it had good grounds ) then would that fix my problem?

RIZ

dave1123

Probably. I hate replacing parts because of a simple problem!

rizmonkey

Me too but I couldn't get the back of the assembly off last night in the dark and I'm still not certain how to fix the ground to the brake socket??? Do I have to take off the back plate of the assembly to get at it? If so, will it be obvious and easy to fix once I get a look inside? I'd rather fix it myself than buy a used assembly for 20-30 bucks. I could get an assembly from a guy tonight but would rather fix the problem. Sorry, this is confusing more than it probably should.

RIZ

dave1123

I'm sorry Riz. I changed a brakelight bulb on my ZJ but haven't yet on my WJ so I can't tell you what the differences are. I think it's a just twist and pull deal on the bulb socket. You should be able to check the wires and contacts in the socket for power, ground, and damage right there. If not, you'll have to go further. You may have to have someone hold the brake or put a weight on the pedal to get brake power, but a voltmeter should show you.

rizmonkey

Thanks, Dave. I'm done working now and will pull it out when I get home and see what I find. I appreciate all the help. I'll let everybody know what I find out once it's fixed.

RIZ

rizmonkey

I FIXED IT !!!!!!

I took the assembly out when I got home and the single contact across from the two contacts on the brake socket was melted/ sunken into the plastic. I used a small screwdriver to carefully lift it up then I put some folded aluminum foil under it then re-installed the socket carefully. The first time I checked the brake lights I heard a small pop and nothing worked. I got under the drivers side floorboard and checked the fuse box there and I found the 20A fuse for the brake switch had popped. I replaced it with the spare that was on the fuse box cover and then checked them again and they worked with both the headlights on and off ! I drove around town and ran a few errands and at each stop I checked them and they worked. I'm so happy to have fixed it for basically free other than my time. Thanks for everybody's help. I couldn't have done it without you.

RIZ

dave1123

I guess that's what we're here for Riz. Mutual aid and benefit. It's amazing how much I've learned about jeeps since I've been here.

I would do some more checking back there. It sounds like you've got an intermitent short back in the tailight somewhere. Maybe just need an insulator between the light and the body.

Also, don't forget to replace your "spare".

Nick318

sorry for the revive.

Riz, was the problem on the tail light assembly itself or the socket? My jeep is doing the exact same thing. Also, did you ever find where the ground was on the jeep? Thanks man!

dave1123

Someone on the forum said something about the sockets for the tailight and the turn signals being different. The turn signal socket and the reverse light socket should have the same number and the tailight should be a different number. He found this out after pulling ALL the bulbs out at once and replacing them, then he had lighting problems. Check it out.