Got in the car a few days ago and the "Bulb Out" light came on. Had to replace several bulbs over the last few years, so figured I would find out what light was not on and replace it...easier said than done. None of the lights were out. Turned off the car and waited for my wife to come home to see if it was my brake lights or back up light. They all worked just fine. Turned the car off, back on and the light was no longer on, pushed the brake pedal, still no light, pushed the brake pedal and moved the gear shift...light comes on. Tried it again the next day, same result...as soon as I move the gear shift a little the light comes on. Any suggestions on what it could be?

 

Sounds like a reverse light to me.

 

They are working, but may be a loose connection, will check. Plot thickened a little last night, light off on start up, put foot on brake and the light came on BEFORE I touched the gear shift.

 

Licence plate lights and headlight markers working?

 

they are, that is what has been so confusing, no apparent culprit!

 

There you have it - you have a brake light out.


I should slow down a bit, there is a bit of a delay in the light coming on. You may have a corner lamp or license plate light out. BUT if you have NO lights on and stepping on the brake lights the light, then you have a brake lamp out.

KEEP IN MIND that the sensor on the reverse and brake lamps is "Latching". That is, if it sees the lamp not on for even a brief moment (due to, say, a loose/corroded socket) the fail light will come on and stay on. If say, a tail or heal lamp goes out and comes back on, the fail light will go out when the lamp comes back on.

Dont' let this confuse you....

 

Ok, done editing my post above.

 

Got it, thanks. I did have the light on and off thing happen with a headlight...hit it with my hand and it would come back on...so lived with smacking it until it finally went out, replaced the headlight and all was good. I will take the brake light bulbs out and work on possible loose or corroded connections. Appreciate the help!