Do your brake lights not work?

myjeeplovesmud · 01-10-2010, 03:47 PM

If your brake light doesn't work when your running lights are on, stop freaking out, stop wasting money on bulbs. Here's how you fix it......

First off, remove the screws that hold your tail light in.

Then pull the tail light straight out to remove it

Turn the top plug and pull to remove it. (INSPECT THE BULB, MAKE SURE IT ISN'T BURNT OUT) Bulb is 3157

Notice that there is 3 THREE brass connectors in the tail light.

CAREFULLY!!! using a knife or screwdriver, pull outwards on the single connector. Pull it out enough that it sticks past the plastic surrounding it.

Put it all back together, and you are set. You just saved money, and got rid of a headache.

Turbonut · 01-10-2010, 06:35 PM

You'll also find that the thin plastic ring under the contacts will split and therefore no contact. If you bend the contacts up, after a period of time they will stop working again, so check the ring closely. JBWeld works wonders.

xjfever · 01-10-2010, 06:59 PM

I gave up on mine and ordered some aftermarket tail lights from racer-union. I haven't had a problem since. I had replaced all the sockets and bulbs once, then the passengers side housing and still was having troubles. The little circuit boards inside the housings are junk and break very easily just like the plastic rings underneath the tabs. The new lights I have are direct wired and have no issues.

myjeeplovesmud · 01-10-2010, 08:20 PM

i was very close to buying new tails myself, but after trying this, no need to

steelstr45 · 01-10-2010, 10:59 PM

haha ur welcome.

Also one thing I learned when doing this, is make sure you don't pop the light socket back in upside down. It gets really badly stuck.It's weird, It goes in so easy that way too, but then it takes insane prying to get it back out after. I've actually broken the socket before trying to get it out after getting it in upside down by mistake. Luckily the fixture was undamaged so it only cost me $8 for a new one from the dealer.

myjeeplovesmud · 01-10-2010, 11:08 PM

Yes thank you steelsr45, i'll give you all the credit on this. After seeing this happen to 3 more folks AFTER me, i thought that this should be put out there. now i need to do a build thread once my 4" zone is installed.

steelstr45 · 01-10-2010, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myjeeplovesmud

Yes thank you steelsr45, i'll give you all the credit on this. After seeing this happen to 3 more folks AFTER me, i thought that this should be put out there. now i need to do a build thread once my 4" zone is installed.

haha no I didn't discover it or anything. I saw it somewhere on the internet a few years ago when I got the problem. You don't see it very much on this forum though, everyone just says "replace the whole thing".

Good job posting it up. It'll help a lot of people.

WJChris · 02-26-2010, 12:53 PM

Great info!

This will work in some cases, not all. Some PC boards internal to the light actually fail, warranting a complete replacement.

Dr-Detjen · 05-13-2010, 02:26 AM

First thing I tried, No love for me on this...

PS: there is no dust on even the inside of those Tail lights..(excellent work). Get that thing on the trail!

myjeeplovesmud · 05-13-2010, 02:43 AM

hmmm..... are you positive that you are making a connection?

**ratmonkey** · 05-13-2010, 04:14 AM

Broken traces on the boards are very common. Sometimes bending the contacts works for one or two rounds, more often than not its a burnt board.

myjeeplovesmud · 09-07-2010, 09:51 PM

i would like to add, that the tail-light bulbs (3157) are a two stage bulb. they have 2 filaments, and if one is burnt out, one or the other may not work. changing your bulb should be the first thing you try, then attempt this. if it still doesn't work, you can try buying a new socket. however, i haven't seen a case where if this doesn't work, a new socket will. if you have tried all three things, and still no luck, you are now in the market for new tail lights.

AustinTexasXJ · 10-03-2010, 10:26 PM

worked for me tonight.

myjeeplovesmud · 10-03-2010, 11:55 PM

awesome to hear!! it may happen again in a month or two, just bend it back, and it should last a long time... the first time i did it, it only worked for a week...... did it again, and it's 9 months

AustinTexasXJ · 10-04-2010, 12:02 AM

well i did that and then took my reverse socket and switched them.

so far soo good. we shall see. I have to order a new assembly anyhow.

ebay 38 bucks.