1996 rear lights not working the same way

Asked by Pollypopcap Jan 24, 2019 at 10:05 PM about the 1996 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I replaced the sockets in the driver's side rear tail light assembly, all of them
except the side marker light.  All the bulbs work.  The problem: the driver's
side lights, both of the light bulbs (turn signal and brake) shine when I push
the brake and both shine when I turn the signal on. Now on the passenger's
side, both lights shine for the brake, but only one for the turn signal.  
Which side is correct? Did I wire the sockets wrong? Back up lights come on
at the right time.

1 Answer
26,835

taver91 answered 5 years ago

Are the bulbs single or double filament type? I believe your car has double filament bulbs and if single filament bulbs are used, they will not function. (Your directional lamp may be a single filament since its only function is the signal and does not energize with the brake.) The other bulbs/sockets are used for double duty. One filament comes on for the tail light function and the other comes on with the brakes. Check your bulbs, the two look the same but have different filaments and different contact surfaces.

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

Shortcuts

Search Pontiac Firebird Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Samuel Moore
    Reputation
    1,600
  • #2
    taver91
    Reputation
    1,340
  • #3
    Paul Martin
    Reputation
    1,280
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Camaro
16 Great Deals out of 307 listings starting at $10,500
Used Chevrolet Corvette
29 Great Deals out of 1,060 listings starting at $15,871
Used Ford Mustang
65 Great Deals out of 1,259 listings starting at $4,995
Used Pontiac Grand Prix
2 listings
Used Ford F-150
321 Great Deals out of 14,968 listings starting at $1,712
Used Porsche 911
12 Great Deals out of 322 listings starting at $21,888
Used Chevrolet Monte Carlo
7 listings starting at $3,000
Used Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
5 listings starting at $19,900

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.