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2004 Civic Tailights not getting Brighter when I brake.

Old Jun 3, 2011
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2004 Civic Tailights not getting Brighter when I brake.

Just looking for some things to lookout for when I start to dig into this after work. I got pulled over this morning cause my tail lights were not getting brighter when I hit the brakes.

I have stock lights and the rear lights look like this ( x )( x )______( x )( )

The ones with the X's are the ones that dont light up.... I would assume if it was the fuse it would be the right side or the left side or both.... the 3 of 4 has me confused.

If the fuse is good.... would it be the bulbs? I havent looked what the setup is quite yet. Didnt know if anyone has experienced this.
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Old Jun 3, 2011
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Re: 2004 Civic Tailights not getting Brighter when I brake.

If 3 out of 4 work then it's not the relay or fuse. You probably have a wiring problem. Check the wiring harness back from the lights. Positive is RED/YEL and ground is black for all 4 lights.
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Old Jun 3, 2011
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Re: 2004 Civic Tailights not getting Brighter when I brake.

The inner bulbs on the sedan are only on with tails.

I think you may have just a bad bulb (has 2 filaments in one bulb), replace both L & R bulbs together.
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Old Jun 3, 2011
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Re: 2004 Civic Tailights not getting Brighter when I brake.

^^ He's talking about the inner lights (trunk lid). For the outer lights, exchange the bulbs and see if the other side lights up.
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Old Jun 3, 2011
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Re: 2004 Civic Tailights not getting Brighter when I brake.

+1 you have one outer bulb burnt. maybe the top middle one too not in your pic (in the deck lid).
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Old Jun 3, 2011
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Re: 2004 Civic Tailights not getting Brighter when I brake.

The top middle lamp (the one in the rear window) works fine. I find it odd that 3 of 4 would go at the same time.... Ill check it out after work and switch the bulbs that done work with the one that does and see if its the bulb or I need to dig further.
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Old Jun 3, 2011
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Re: 2004 Civic Tailights not getting Brighter when I brake.

only the two outer lights (and middle window light) act as brake on this car - 3 total. inner lights on the trunk are not brake lights.
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Old Jun 3, 2011
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Re: 2004 Civic Tailights not getting Brighter when I brake.

Thanks Gearbox... Fixed it. Bulb was blown... it was hard to tell cause usually the filament is broken or missing but it was still hanging there looking ok... it wasnt till I shook it that it fell apart. I didnt realize it was only the outter 2 lights that lit up...

Thanks for the help... Not a big car buff... I appreciate it

Last edited by TFMEX; Jun 3, 2011 at 11:41 AM.
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