Brake Light Bulb Keeps Going Out

[onecrazyfoo4u]

My passenger side brake bulb keeps going out.  At a few bucks a bulb, it's getting ridiculous.  Every few weeks it goes out.  Would this be a bad ground issue?  The contacts and connector look just fine with no corrosion.  I haven't used electrical grease with the bulbs or anything. 

 

Would LED bulbs solve the issue you think?  Are those just a direct swap or do they need resistors and such?

[Supreme Pizza]

Is the brake light housing loose? If so, it may be rattling around and vibrating the bulb too much. Also, are you sure the filament is burned out, or does it just stop working?  Many bulbs have a one year warranty. 

[onecrazyfoo4u]

It is nice and snug.  I made sure, to check that no water was getting in. 

 

Each time, the filaments appear in tact, but I think they are disconnect at the edges of the filaments.  Sometimes there's burn marks on the glass.

[Supreme Pizza]

 

• Warranty:  1 Year Limited Warranty

 

 

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/eiko-lighting-3521/lighting---electrical-16777/bulb-flasher-fuse-16457/stop-light-bulb-11532/c01ba6fdfed2/eiko-lighting-bulb/3157bp/4292588/2005/gmc/sierra-1500?q=brake+light+bulb&pos=6

[onecrazyfoo4u]

Thanks, I've been getting them on Amazon though, cheapest there.  Too much hassle yo deal with that return.  I would rather fix the actual problem then constantly be checking for a blown bulb!

[dsr611]

My wife's 05 Tahoe loses a brake light bulb about 3 times a year.  I got to looking one day and you could see where the "base" of the bulb looked like it was melted a little.  The plastic base had melted a little and the plastic melted around the wire contacts on the bulb.  Little work with a small file to remove the plastic and a small pick to pull the wire out a little worked.  I read somewhere that the bulbs get too hot and can melt the base and the bulb socket.  I had the site saved on my old computer but it has since died and I cannot find the write up now.

[Supreme Pizza]

Ya, DS might be correct. You could compare temps with a heat gun. Pull both tail lights out, but leave the wires connected. Put a brick on the brake peddle for 15 minutes, and then check the temps of the wiring plug. The extra heat might be cooking the bulb. 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/TOP-MAX-Thermometer-Temperature-Measurement-50-360°C/dp/B01N5FMX0G/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1528220926&sr=8-6&keywords=temperature+gun+thermal

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SarahsGMC]

Toss an led bulb in there they draw less current and don't heat anything up theres usually a conversion right on the box if you go to a part store and look.

[onecrazyfoo4u]

Thanks all, I'll do a detailed inspection of the wiring and connector when I get home.

 

Do you have to custom wire in resistors or other 'boxes' for LED's?  Or are they a direct replacement? 

[Supreme Pizza]

Usually, LED's are set up to run on the OEM power supply - so plug and play. 

 

   Not all lights work that way. Some will have complicated ballasts and other weird stuff. You will want to look on Amazon for bulbs that say stuff like "direct replacement" or "no additional wiring needed". If they require additional wiring, they will usually list that info in the description. If it says "professional installation recommended", move on. 

[tbarn]

IMHO you are just throwing band aids at the problem. Bulbs don't just fail regularly. Unless they are junk bulbs. Even that is unlikely. You have an issue elsewhere. Most likely the socket but not limited to that. You can get brand name bulbs for less than $5. Try a good one and go from there.

[onecrazyfoo4u]

Well, I checked it and the bulb had actually fallen out (doh).  But the connector and wiring is all in perfect condition and nice and snug.  If it does go out again, I'm moving to LED's for sure.  Thanks all!

[greatmizzou]

stop touching the bulb with your fingers. Oil residue will dramatically end the life of your bulb, especially the hot ones.

 

I used to have headlights go out all the time.  I wipe them clean and install with clean gloved hands...probably gone 8 years on the bulbs

[Supreme Pizza]

6 minutes ago, greatmizzou said:

stop touching the bulb with your fingers. Oil residue will dramatically end the life of your bulb, especially the hot ones.

 

I used to have headlights go out all the time.  I wipe them clean and install with clean gloved hands...probably gone 8 years on the bulbs

 

 

  He might be right, but this is usually only an issue with very specific types of bulbs. At this point, its worth a shot though. The finger oil creates a "reverse heat shield". It reacts with the light to create a "hot spot" on the bulb, so the fitment fails sooner than it was designed to. 

 

Interesting fact - light bulb companies spend million in research to prevent the bulbs from lasting too long. Its actually far less expensive to manufacture a bulb that will last "forever". "Short life bulbs" cost more to manufacture, but they do this so that their company will have longevity. Build a product that lasts for ever, and you will go out of business.