Blinker stops when brakes applied

Tiny
MASTAKUSH2K
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 ISUZU RODEO
  • 56,000 MILES
Hi, I am experiencing two lighting issues with my 2002 Isuzu Rodeo. I am detailing all steps of what happened below:

1) I was alerted that my left brake light went out a few months ago. Since I drive infrequently, I did not attempt to change it until a few days ago. I ordered a spare brake light (part #1157) from RockAuto. Com by searching for my year and model. When I received the bulbs, I installed the new brake light bulb into the left tail light housing.

2) When I turned my lights on, the left brake light which I just installed looked much brighter than the right tail light. When tapping the brake, only the right light light up when the brakes were on; the left light stayed continuously bright.

3) At this same time, when I checked my turn signals, my right blinker flashed at the correct pace but my left turn signal began blinking twice as fast. This was the first time this issue has ever occurred. When I kept the left turn signal on, I noticed that my rear turn signal on the left side now is no longer blinking.

4) I then replaced the right brake lamp with the new brake lamp. After doing this and turning the lights on, both brake lights looked brighter than they should be. The turn signal issue remained the same.

5) I then put the original brake lamps in again. The lamp that looked defective (a little smoky color) is still in the left housing. The right lamp is now demonstrating the correct brightness and is getting brighter when the brake pedal is pressed. The left lamp still shows a continuously bright light. And the turn signal issue still remains.

I'm looking for advice on how to identify the problem whether it is a bulb issue or something else. I have never really worked on my car before but know how to replace the brake lamps so am a novice. Any tips on how to test and fix the issue would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Shawn
Sunday, June 16th, 2013 AT 7:34 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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What is the bulb number of the old right side is it a 1157?
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Sunday, June 16th, 2013 AT 10:33 PM
Tiny
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Here is the text of what the brake light bulb says:

OSRAM 7225 LF SLOVAKIA 12V F21/4W E1 3AA T5c

It should be noted that the "E1" has a box around it, not sure if that matters or not. I don't see 1157 anywhere.
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Monday, June 17th, 2013 AT 5:40 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Here's another thing we need to look at is the old bulb have staggered pins on each side of it or are they straight across?Also the bulbs his are those pins do they match the old bulbs the way the pins are?Are both the old and new bulbs both dual filaments?
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Monday, June 17th, 2013 AT 6:02 PM
Tiny
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Yes, both the old and new bulbs are dual filaments. When you say pins, I'm assuming you mean on the base of the bulb that click into te socket. The old bulbs are staggered and are not straight across.
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Monday, June 17th, 2013 AT 6:14 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Are the new bulbs staggered?Also take that old bulb from the right side and put it in the left socket and see if the lights work like they should?
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Monday, June 17th, 2013 AT 7:06 PM
Tiny
MASTAKUSH2K
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Hi, I ran a number of diagnostics with different combinations of bulbs. I've listed everything from start to finish so that you can help me isolate the issue. I am truly stumped right now.

Bulb #1: Original brake/tail light bulb - defective (smoky, off-centered pegs, originally on left tail)
Bulb #2: Original brake/tail light bulb (functions properly, straight pegs, originally on right tail)

Bulb #3: New bulb purchased (#1157, straight pegs)
Bulb #4: New bulb purchased (#1157, straight pegs)

1) Left brake light was out. Tail light on left side was working fine. Right brake and tail light was working fine.
2) Replaced bulb #1 with bulb #3. Brake light always stayed on on left side. Right side (bulb #2) was properly working. Left turn signal began blinking rapidly and left tail turn signal was not working (first time any issue with turn signal became apparent.) Right front and rear turn signal working fine.
3) Replaced bulb #2 with bulb #4. Both brake lights now were brighter than they should be, left front turn signal remained at a fast pace.
4) Replaced bulb #1 with bulb #3 and replaced bulb #4 with bulb #2. Left tail light still appear consistently bright, right tail light returned to correct brightness. Front left turn signal still blinking rapidly, rear left turn signal still unresponsive.
5) At this point, the original bulbs are in the original locations. I switched them by putting bulb #1 in the right tail and bulb #2 in the left tail. At this point, both tail lights were showing the CORRECT brightness. I tried the brake pedal and both light up to the correct higher level of brightness. However, the left turn signal in the front still blinked rapidly and the rear left turn signal still was not blinking.
6) I pushed the remote lock a few times to test it out. All of a sudden, bulb #2 (currently in the left tail light) stopped working. I switched them back so that bulb #1 is in the left socket and that bulb #2 is in the right socket.

At this point, I am completely stumped. Both before this issue and during this entire process, I turned my hazard lights on and all turn signals are blinking at the correct speed (front and rear). So, I don't think the rear left turn signal is an issue because it blinks properly when the hazard light is on. It should be noted, too, that the openings for the pegs in the socket (that the wires connect to in the tail light housings) are straight, not off-centered. I think at some point the tail light that is defective was replaced, possibly when I got an oil change, which is why it has off-centered pegs. Also, when installing a bulb into the left tail light socket, it doesn't "click-in" as cleanly as a bulb in the right socket. I am starting to think the issue is with the left tail light socket that holds the brake light (sorry, I don't know the name of the part).

Please advise! This is driving me crazy.

Thank you for your time.
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Thursday, June 20th, 2013 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Alright let's do this let's check out the turn signal and brake light circuit. The black wires to the turn signal and brake lights should on the left side should have 2 ohms or less to ground?Then with the key in the run position with the turn signal switch in the left turn position the green wire with a blue tracer or a green wire with black tracer which ever you may have. Should have a flashing power use a test light to check that. Then with the running lights on you should have the green wire with a red tracer should have battery voltage? Then while stepping on the brake you should have battery voltage to the green wire?Let me know what you find?
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+2
Thursday, June 20th, 2013 AT 8:26 PM
Tiny
MASTAKUSH2K
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I am a bit of novice when it comes to this stuff. But, I would like to learn and I don't really want to overpay for a mechanic to fix the issue, unless it absolutely requires it. Could you provide me with details on how to test what you describe above?
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Thursday, June 20th, 2013 AT 8:30 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Let's start with do you have a volt ohm meter and a test light?
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Thursday, June 20th, 2013 AT 8:54 PM
Tiny
MASTAKUSH2K
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No I don't have either.
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Thursday, June 20th, 2013 AT 9:53 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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To test everything your going to have to invest in them. Do you have a harbor freight tools by you?They sell both pretty cheap there.
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Friday, June 21st, 2013 AT 6:43 AM
Tiny
MASTAKUSH2K
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Hi, I ended up taking to a mechanic as I did not have the equipment to diagnose and fix myself. The issue is now fixed, it was a bad ground at the rear, thanks for your time and help.
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+1
Monday, July 8th, 2013 AT 8:28 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Glad to hear you got it fixed what was the problem?
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Monday, July 8th, 2013 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
LAXGOAL4LIFE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 ISUZU RODEO
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 214,000 MILES
Electrical problem
1995 Isuzu Rodeo Question 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 214000 miles

My Rr. ABS light is on as well as the Brake Light and I have replaced the brake pads on all 4 tires and I dont know what else to do to get them to turn off
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Friday, February 24th, 2017 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAWONG71
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  • 7 POSTS
I have a similar problem, my 1996 Rodeo is displaying the ABS light as well. Most of my research has me looking to the left rear shock side where the wiring could be broken, or the ABS speed sensor on the differential has gone bad.
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Friday, February 24th, 2017 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LORAINEB09
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 ISUZU RODEO
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 198,000 MILES
Both brake lights simultaneously went out. The running lights work. Exchanged the brake-light switch with new one with no results. What is left?
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Friday, February 24th, 2017 AT 11:15 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Check stop fuse if okay-depress the brake and check for power at the red wire on the brake switch
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Friday, February 24th, 2017 AT 11:15 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LORAINEB09
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There is power to red wire. Any other advice?
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Friday, February 24th, 2017 AT 11:15 AM (Merged)

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