Signs You Need A Brake Light Replacement

Here’s how to tell if you need to replace your brake light:

1. Brake Lights Don’t Turn On

When your brake lights burn out, they won’t emit any light when you press the brake pedal. Now, you won’t be able to see that happen unless you’re standing behind your car. 

So, it’s a good idea to occasionally check your exterior lights by having someone stand around your car while you test all your car lights. This will include the headlight bulb set, high beams, blinkers, tail lights (tail lamp), turn signal, parking lights, and brake lights. 

Also, when you get an oil change, your mechanic usually checks if you have burnt-out bulbs or a brake light problem.

2. Warning Light Comes On

Most modern cars have a brake warning light to let you know when an exterior light is no longer working. If your car flashes a warning light that looks like a light bulb, you may have a brake light problem that needs to be fixed — so don’t ignore it.

Note: Brake light problems can also occur due to a blown fuse or a faulty brake light switch. If that’s the case, replace the blown fuse or get the brake light switch repaired.

How to Replace a Brake Light?

Replacing the brake light requires you to be familiar with automotive repairs. One wrong step in the replacement could do more harm than good to your vehicle. 

That’s why it’s always reasonable to let a professional automotive mechanic perform a brake light replacement. They’ll typically use quality auto parts and offer warranties — giving you peace of mind. 

But if you still wish to know how it’s done, here’s a quick brake light bulb replacement guide:

1. Identify the Brake Light  

There are usually many light bulbs under each tail light lens — one of these car bulbs is the brake light. The mechanic will identify which bulb is the faulty brake light under the tail light lens cover.

2. Access the Wire Harness and Remove the Old Bulb

Most modern vehicles allow access to a tail light bulb from inside the trunk. They’ll open the trunk lid to see the wire harnesses and a plastic base where each tail light bulb is positioned. 

Here’s how they’ll remove the faulty brake light: 

• Spot which light bulb is the brake light in the taillight housing. 
• Remove the taillight housing using a Phillips screwdriver. 
• Release the brake light holder from the bulb socket. 
• Pull the bulb holder and faulty brake light bulb into the trunk to remove the old bulb from the bulb holder.

3. Apply Dielectric Grease

The mechanic will apply dielectric grease to the brake light socket to prevent fusing and corrosion.

4. Install the New Brake Light Bulb

They’ll insert the replacement bulb into the holder and place the socket back in the tail light assembly. They’ll ensure the new brake light bulb is snug in the tail light assembly and test if it works.

As simple as it sounds, the process of installing a new bulb in the brake light socket could still be intimidating for a new vehicle owner. If you’re unsure, let a mechanic handle the replacement for you. 

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Brake Light Bulb?

A brake light bulb replacement is pretty inexpensive because a replacement bulb usually costs around $5-$10. Add to that the labor charge may be between $10-$20, depending on your locality. 

However, do remember the light bulb prices for some can be higher depending on their designs. You can refer to the owner’s manual to determine the specific type of brake light your car requires. You may also need to pay extra if there are additional brake light issues.

How Urgent Is A Brake Light Replacement?

It’s extremely important to have functioning brake lights at all times. If you have a bad brake light, it doesn’t provide a brake warning for the cars behind you — making you prone to getting rear-ended. 

Moreover, law enforcement officers will hand out fix-it tickets for non-functional brake lights. So it’s best to replace your damaged, old brake light immediately.

6 FAQs about Brake Light

Here are the answers to some quick FAQs regarding brake lights:

1. What Is a Brake Light?

The brake light is a light that turns on when you use your brakes. It’s located near the rear tail light at the back of your vehicle. Sometimes, you can also find the brake light around your rear windshield. 

Whenever you press the brake pedal, the light turns on, flashing a bright red color behind your car. This lets people behind you know you’re braking, allowing them to slow down instead of running into you.

2. How Do Brake Lights Work?

A very simple switch — the brake light switch — turns the brake lights on and off. 

Your brake pedal, when resting naturally, presses on the brake light switch to keep the light off. When you depress the brake pedal, the pressure on the brake light switch is removed — turning on the brake light. The light stays illuminated until you let go of the brake pedal again.

As for the light itself, it’s just a tiny light bulb with wiring used in standard bulbs.

3. What Should I Consider Before Buying Brake Light Bulbs?

Here are a few things to keep in mind while purchasing car bulbs:

A. Look for Specific Make

Just like a brake pad or rotor, a  replacement brake light bulb comes in specific sizes for your vehicle. So check your owner’s manual and find out the exact type to ensure proper fit. Without an effective fit, your brake light won’t work properly. 

B. Choose Bright LED Lights

When it comes to the critical brake system, it’s always a smart choice to buy an LED bulb instead of a halogen because LED lights are long-lasting. An LED bulb also produces a crisp, sharp light. This is very important as only an LED brake light can cut through the rain, fog, or snowfall to produce a sharp signal light.

4. How Often Should I Change My Brake Light?

You should replace this light with a new bulb as and when brake light issues crop up. However, we recommend replacing the brake bulb in pairs because one damaged bulb can quickly be followed by another.

5. What Does a Tail Light Assembly Include?

The tail light assembly or brake light assembly is an exterior light mounted on the rear end of your vehicle. They consist of tail lights (or tail lamp), brake lights, and reverse lights (backup lights). 

6. When Should I Get a Brake Light Switch Replacement?

When you hit the brake pedal, turning on the brake light switch, power is supplied to every braking signal light at the back of your car — to alert other drivers that you’re slowing down.

If you notice some flickering or inconsistency in the light or the brake lights just stop operating, then you may need a brake light switch replacement.

Spot a faulty brake light switch through an elimination process. Check each tail light bulb, brake light bulb socket, and wire for damage. Ensure every brake light wiring or wiring harness is connected to a brake bulb, seated tightly. 

If everything looks okay, it’s probably the switch that needs repair.