Hi everyone, haven't been on the boards for a while, but I'm hoping I can get some help. Over the last month, I've run into a problem with my driver's side brake light bulb where it keeps burning out.

Today, I replaced it for the third time and no sooner had I replaced it then it blew. I'm using standard incandescent 7443 dual filament bulbs.

I'm assuming there's probably a short or bad ground somewhere, but I have no clue where to start looking.

Can any of my fellow FitFreak members offer advice on where to start?

Thanks!

 

Follow the wiring from the rear bulb holder.

 

Are you using the proper bulb per the Owner's Manual? Numerous bulbs likely fit, but I often see random vehicle brake lights burning excessively bright or dim and I guess that the bright ones won't last very long. Just a long-shot guess.

 

Thanks @Action Jackson. I'll start there.

@Alco RS-1, yes, actually all three that I've used are the original Honda supplied bulbs. :|

 

I’m having the same issue on my 2013 Honda Fit. There’s actually nothing wrong with the bulb, just a little wiggle and there’s light again but eventually will go out. Sometimes I swap to another bulb however the same issue persists.

Actually, my sister 2013 Fit just recently has the same problem as well. Nothing wrong with the bulb either, took it out and put it back couple of times and seems to work but I’m pretty sure it will go out again.

 

The bulb might be in a circuit with something else and the other thing isn't using up it's share of the electricity, so the circuit is overpowering the brake lights causing them to burn out. You often see this condition in cars with one burned out tail light, one burned out front marker light (GM vehicles are notorious) and the remaining 'good' light is way too bright.

Have you looked at that level of lighting (way too bright) to get a sense if the circuit is overpowering the remaining brake lights? I'm just wondering but not sure if any of this can happen in a Honda product. Incandescent lights burn out due to age, vibration, and being overpowered. If you have a volt-ohm meter, you could check out the voltage that way while someone steps on the brake pedal.