92 Tercel rear and brake lights

[NickR]

A 92 Tercel (my daughter's).

Passenger side works fine; it's just the driver's side that has a problem.

There's a bulb at the back with two filaments: one for the rear light, and one for the brake light.
When you switch on the headlights or parking lights, the one filament (for the rear light) works fine.
With the headlights and parking lights switched off, the second filament (for the brake light) works fine.
But when you have the headlights or parking lights on, and then press the brake pedal, both filaments go out.

I replaced the bulb, but it made no difference. My guess is that the socket for the bulb has some sort of short (there is just a very small amount of rust on it). Does this sound plausible? Is there anything else I should check before going to the junkyard and replacing that socket?
Thanks in advance.

[jeffs94]

[QUOTE=NickR]A 92 Tercel (my daughter's).

Passenger side works fine; it's just the driver's side that has a problem.

There's a bulb at the back with two filaments: one for the rear light, and one for the brake light.
When you switch on the headlights or parking lights, the one filament (for the rear light) works fine.
With the headlights and parking lights switched off, the second filament (for the brake light) works fine.
But when you have the headlights or parking lights on, and then press the brake pedal, both filaments go out.

I replaced the bulb, but it made no difference. My guess is that the socket for the bulb has some sort of short (there is just a very small amount of rust on it). Does this sound plausible? Is there anything else I should check before going to the junkyard and replacing that socket?
Thanks in advance.[/QUOTECheck the filament on the passenger side to make sure its not cross-shorting. Did this problem just pop up out of nowhere? Was the car involved in any kind of rear-end accident?

[NickR]

Good thinking, Jeffs94. I will check the bulb on the passenger side too, when she comes by with the car tomorrow. And I will also check to see if the front lights do anything wierd when the brakes are on.

I have no idea how long the problem has been there. It was only by chance that I spotted it. Normally I check the brake lights, then I check the other lights; I don't normally check to see if the brake lights work when the other lights are on!

No signs of any collision, and I think my daughter would have told me (though you never can be sure!). The car is high mileage (260,000kms) but has been very trouble-free, with minimal maintenance (other than the usual plugs, leads, filters, oil, etc.)

Thanks.

[NickR]

Yep. Replaced the socket, and it all works fine now.