Brake light mystery

99 JGC. If I step on the brake pedal, both left and right rear brake lights
work fine. However, when I turn on the headlights (tail lights work fine)
and step on the brake, my left rear light completely goes out (both the tail
light and brake light are off). Any ideas on what's wrong?

I know it's a single bulb, but why is it tuning off?

Thanks

Jeep Guy wrote:
> 99 JGC. If I step on the brake pedal, both left and right rear brake lights
> work fine. However, when I turn on the headlights (tail lights work fine)
> and step on the brake, my left rear light completely goes out (both the tail
> light and brake light are off). Any ideas on what's wrong?
>
> I know it's a single bulb, but why is it tuning off?
>
> Thanks
>
>
Short circuit in the wiring to the left brake light?

--
FRH

On Fri, 8 Oct 2010 18:25:40 +0200, "Jeep Guy" > wrote:

>99 JGC. If I step on the brake pedal, both left and right rear brake lights
>work fine. However, when I turn on the headlights (tail lights work fine)
>and step on the brake, my left rear light completely goes out (both the tail
>light and brake light are off). Any ideas on what's wrong?
>
>I know it's a single bulb, but why is it tuning off?
>
>Thanks
>


Bad ground(s)... Check the left rear ground.

Jeep Guy wrote:
> 99 JGC. If I step on the brake pedal, both left and right rear brake lights
> work fine. However, when I turn on the headlights (tail lights work fine)
> and step on the brake, my left rear light completely goes out (both the tail
> light and brake light are off). Any ideas on what's wrong?
>
> I know it's a single bulb, but why is it tuning off?
>
> Thanks
>
>
Bad ground, either at the light sockets or at the grounding point in the
rear. It helps to have a FSM wiring diagram, which tend to be more
accurate than the typical Chiltons.

On 10/8/2010 11:25 AM, Jeep Guy wrote:
> 99 JGC. If I step on the brake pedal, both left and right rear brake lights
> work fine. However, when I turn on the headlights (tail lights work fine)
> and step on the brake, my left rear light completely goes out (both the tail
> light and brake light are off). Any ideas on what's wrong?
>
> I know it's a single bulb, but why is it tuning off?
>
> Thanks
>
>
Classic symptoms of a bad ground.

On Oct 9, 8:28*am, RoyJ > wrote:
> On 10/8/2010 11:25 AM, Jeep Guy wrote:> 99 JGC. *If I step on the brake pedal, both left and right rear brake lights
> > work fine. *However, when I turn on the headlights (tail lights work fine)
> > and step on the brake, my left rear light completely goes out (both the tail
> > light and brake light are off). *Any ideas on what's wrong?
>
> > I know it's a single bulb, but why is it tuning off?
>
> > Thanks
>
> * Classic symptoms of a bad ground.

Short ciruits produce heat, smoke, fire, blown fuse and or a tripped
circuit breaker...

open/poor ground !

Gene wrote:
> On Oct 9, 8:28 am, RoyJ > wrote:
>> On 10/8/2010 11:25 AM, Jeep Guy wrote:> 99 JGC. If I step on the brake pedal, both left and right rear brake lights
>>> work fine. However, when I turn on the headlights (tail lights work fine)
>>> and step on the brake, my left rear light completely goes out (both the tail
>>> light and brake light are off). Any ideas on what's wrong?
>>> I know it's a single bulb, but why is it tuning off?
>>> Thanks
>> Classic symptoms of a bad ground.
>
> Short ciruits produce heat, smoke, fire, blown fuse and or a tripped
> circuit breaker...
>
> open/poor ground !

Which could be inside one of the bulbs.

"Lon" wrote ...
> Gene wrote:
>> On Oct 9, 8:28 am, RoyJ > wrote:
>>> On 10/8/2010 11:25 AM, Jeep Guy wrote:> 99 JGC. If I step on the brake pedal, both left and right rear brake lights
>>>> work fine. However, when I turn on the headlights (tail lights work fine)
>>>> and step on the brake, my left rear light completely goes out (both the tail
>>>> light and brake light are off). Any ideas on what's wrong?
>>>> I know it's a single bulb, but why is it tuning off?
>>>> Thanks
>>> Classic symptoms of a bad ground.
>>
>> Short ciruits produce heat, smoke, fire, blown fuse and or a tripped
>> circuit breaker...
>>
>> open/poor ground !
>
> Which could be inside one of the bulbs.

Is it one of these types of blubs?
http://revbeergoggles.com/blub/

I'd be checking the wiring harness and any connectors for corrosion.

--
DougW

"Jeep Guy" > wrote in message
...

Thanks to all for your help. Apparently this is a problem with WJs. The
contact in the bulb receptacle wears out or gets misaligned. The fix is
pretty easy although I have no idea how long it will last. I wonder if my
lights were built by the UAW stoners featured in that news story? That
would make sense. What is it with Chrysler? I hope they build a better car
now that they have all of my tax money.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/2a7hal6