Brake Light Problems - 99 Passat

In rank order:

Bad Lamp (it/they may look good, but still be bad. Did you use a continuity tester or try a new lamp just in case?) Bad Socket(s) or corroded or bent contacts Corroded connection on the harness Bad Ground

Check with a VOM to see if you are getting power to the lamp socket... that would suggest a bad ground. No power, but a good ground would suggest a bad harness. Generally the tip of the base is the + lead, the shell the - lead (ground).

And, last of all, are you _SURE_ you are using the right lamps? Some of them have different bases such that they will not work in the wrong socket. Note that some have high-low pins, two low pins or two high pins... So that the lamp looks the same superficially does not mean that it is the same.

Peter Wieck Wyncote, PA

uhhhh In case no one mentioned it......................BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH! Always check that first or second after the fuse. You might have 2 switches at the brake pedal, one for cruise and one for the brake lights. Not sure on your '99 passat though.

later, dave (One out of many daves)

Yabbut....

His high-strip works. Is that a separate circuit/switch?

Peter Wieck Wyncote, PA

common' Dave... the switch also works the 3rd light. Go with new bulbs.

lol...OK so maybe it isn't the switch! Sometimes I will power up the lights to make sure that they do work and then search for the "short". AND now I will assume that the OP hits the brake pedal and that center brake light strip comes on.

Could the left brake light terminal be bad and also is the left brake light terminal feeding power to the right side brake light? Gotta test for power when the brake pedal is depressed and the center light strip comes on.

Or Bulbs! ;-)

later, dave (One with egg on face) 8*)