Hello the google gods have failed me in this issue. Looking here for some help.

Here's my issue, When I press my brake pedal only the third brake light turns on. So my first thought was bad bulbs, however if I turn my headlights on the same bulbs for the brakes turn on (of course not as bright as brakelights) . Someone recommended the brake switch, but if the third brake light activates that cant be the issue either. for the life of me I cant find where the brake light fuse is located (if it even exists). It did have a PCM failure about a year ago if that helps. There are no other electrical issues right now, every other light is g2g.

Is it possible the bulb has two modes (taillight not as bright and brakelight extra bright) and the brakelight portion is broke in the bulb?

Any assistance would be great.

 

There are separate filaments for the tail lights and brake lights in the same bulb.

 

+1 that_guy, the brake light and tail lights use one bulb with two separete filaments, iw ould replace the bulbs first especially consideing how cheap they are

 

Thanks for the info. I did buy new bulbs but had the same issue. So I had someone hold the brake down while I slowly turned the bulb in the socket then they magically lit up. There must be something up with the contacts on my taillight, but its working now so i'm good

 

Over time the contacts can get hot and sink into the plastic some. You probably just need to bend them back up.

 

Yep, bending my melted center tabs up fixed mine

 

Thanks jbone333 & that_guy turns out my last fix was temporary. Just bent my melted tabs up and brakes are back.

 

I know you're good, but another thing that can cause brake light issues is the hazard switch, which takes over the brake lights when used. I've seen those get buggered and not release right, so you can get what you had.

 

I don't think the hazard switch is wired like that on these trucks since we have separate bulbs for turn signals and brake lights, but on vehicles with the brake and turn signals on the same bulb that would be a possibility.