Odd problem with Civic rear lights

[anonymous-user]

My 02 Civic hatchback has an odd problem with the rear lights -
1. with headlights on, both taillights are lit - OK
2. with brake pedal depressed, brake lights come on - OK

but..
3. with headlights on if the brake pedal is depressed there is no light at all from brake/tail-light (combined 2 filament) bulb on nearside - no tail-lights, no brakelights, it just goes out.

Offside works fine, indicators, reverse etc.. all work fine both sides.

I thought perhaps a dodgy earth, but I can only find one earth strap on the offside, which I've checked and it seems to be making good contact. I've also tried turning the bulb 180 but that makes no difference.

Any ideas anyone?

thanks
James

[grahambell]

Dodgy earth would be my guess too. Had a similar odd problem with lights on an old Fiesta - indicators on one side suddenly wouldn't work with lights on if I remember right.

Tried running a test wire from earth connection on affected lights direct to battery/earth and things worked again, so give that a try.

In my case I ended up cutting the original earth wire and ran a new one from the light/s to earth and the job was a good 'un.