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2000 Stratus, tail light goes out when brake applied.
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CitrSith
New User
Jan 5, 2009, 5:31 PM
Post #1 of 2
(2871 views)
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2000 Stratus, tail light goes out when brake applied.
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I have a 2000 Dodge Stratus. A few weeks ago I was stopped while driving at night by a police officer who said my tail light was out. When I got home I turned on my headlights and got out of the car to see which light was out, but both lights seemed to be working fine. Then I got someone to press the break for me and saw that when the breaks were applied, the left tail light went completely out. When the headlights are off and the breaks are applied, the left one lights up but is dimmer than the right one.
I tried replacing the bulb but there was no change. I then went back to the auto parts store to see if maybe I was trying to use the wrong light bulb and he suggested there might be some corrosion in or around the socket that could be causing the problem. So I looked at it and tried to wipe off anything I thought could be causing the issue, but there is still no change. I'm not sure what else to try.
Thank you for your help.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 5, 2009, 5:41 PM
Post #2 of 2
(2870 views)
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Re: 2000 Stratus, tail light goes out when brake applied.
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My guess: Socket has issues or a weak ground. Brake light filiment is stronger wattage and thus takes a better ground. You can test for ground - find which wire is solely for grounding and use a test light backpowered to light on grounds.
Double check it's the right bulb - even compare with the one that works for #s and looks.
If and only if there is a dedicated ground wire for the socket chase down where it probably goes to body metal or add grounding to a DEDICATED ground wire with another if too fussy to find but make all connections good.
Socket: They should be available new. You might try spraying copious amounts of WD-40 or similar into it without the bulb in and see it that helps??
T
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