Panel lights as brake light indicators

JasonNC

After I got my car back from the paint shop, I noticed that when I hit the brakes, the instrument panel lights come on. In addition the tag light comes on when I hit the brakes also. I can't figure out the problem. Any suggestions?

oldcarnut

If the tail light bulbs are double contact, check to be sure one is not shorted across the filaments. That can be a real pain to trace down, but I have found that to be the problem a lot of times.

Chuck

onerare39

I had a similar problem years ago. After days of looking for shorts I cleaned the end of the bulbs and the inside of the sockets with WD-40... problem solved.

John

Park_W

If the car was just painted, your taillight assemblies are likely not grounded to the body. Have a look and if necessary, create some good metal to metal contact there, via the mounting studs. I think you'll find that all will be well again.

JasonNC

Only because you guys put me on the right track am I going to confess to how stupid I am. When I went to check on putting WD-40 on the light contacts, I noticed that I had put a single point bulb into the double point light fixture. I simply reached for my 1157 box the other day when I noticed that my brake light on the driver's side wasn't working after I left the paint shop and apparently there was an 1156 mixed in it. Needless to say, problem solved. Thanks for the suggestions. Wished I had posted my problem before my buddy and I wasted 4 hours trying to figure it out.