brake light bulbs

[methodwares]

In my continuing efforts to diagnose the strange side light problem, I have discovered that unplugging the 3 wire connector going to the brake/side light on one side has solved the problem. The brake light wire goes into the brake switch as green (ignition on) and exits as green/purple which runs all the way back to this 3 wire connector. The side light signal is red/white which is also in this connector which leaves the 3rd wire as black (ground/earth). It pretty much points to a short in that light assembly somewhere that is sending voltage back down the red/white wire. The problem is the rubber condom thingy the wires go through doesn't come off and the single light assembly seems pretty rigid in the fibre glass.

Its a later cerb with the 4 individual lights. Is there a trick to getting in there?

[JensenA]

I've retro fitted the updated light assembly, so mine may be slightly different to yours, although it does use exactly the same light units.
When you say 'condom' do you mean the black rubber boot thingy that actually fits on the back of each of the 3 lights? The back of the light unit does unscrew and you can then figure out how to remove the boot and check the wiring inside it.

[methodwares]

Thanks, I thought it might unscrew (the big brass looking thing the condom is attached to), though it looks like someone lost control of the spray adhesive can in that area

[FarmyardPants]

Possibly the bulb itself is leaking the current, try a new one..

[methodwares]

FarmyardPants said:

Possibly the bulb itself is leaking the current, try a new one..

it was the bulb, one of the lights, not sure which, was melted and touching the post of the other, therby completing the circuit.

and the fixture did unscrew after I scraped some of that spray glue off.