The first thing I would do is put a multi-meter to it. First check that it has ground with the ohm or connectivity setting. If it does, have someone press the brakes and check that it is getting voltage to the bulb socket. If both things check out then it is still the bulb. If either of those fail you need to track it back from there.

 

Frogbite,

Thanks for the response,

Checked it with a meter...shows no voltage when brake is applied or not applied. In the resistance or ohm setting on the meter, it shows zero.

that's where I'm stuck....does anybody know where I can find the ground that this thing is supposed to be wired to? How far into the car does the pigtail for this socket extend? Or a part number for the pigtail with the light socket on it?

 

- Open the hood and remove the top trim and look.
- Also check the wiring loom as it leaves the body and enter the tailgate.

 

^^^ this. Most likely a break in the harness where it exits the body into the tailgate.

 

Did a quick wiring check and there is a 20pin connector behind right rear panel. Brake signal comes from front as wht/blk wire into connector and exits as 4 outputs (wht/blk) LR. RR. Trailer plug, High Mount. So high mount issue is from here to bulb socket. ( these are not the only wht/blk wires at connector, flasher circuit uses this color also)

Brake light stay same color but HM changes to Grn/Blk before light, There is a commom ground within the Rear Hatch for RR and HM lights.

 

You will have to remove the rear spoiler to get to the pigtail harness. There are 5 10mm bolts, and two clips. You will also have to unplug the washer lines and then when you pop off the spoiler you will see the plug where it goes into the actual tailgate.

My best is on a melted connector, mine is partially melted and I have a feeling I will have to replace the harness from the light to the tailgate.

You seem pretty handy but if you'd like more of an explanation of removing the spoiler let me know, I just removed mine to paint it yesterday.

Ryan

 

Ryan, would love any information you have on removing the spoiler. Thank you so much. Im about to dive into this after breakfast.

Btw, I also checked inside the rubber boot going from the body to the tailgate. I found what appears to be a white wire and a black and yellow wire that are going to nowhere. So...I'm guessing they are broken somewhere in this area inside this rubber boot. (as somebody had suggested above) Any tips for getting the boot off without destroying it? Or do I just need to cut the thing apart and replace it? Or stupid question...is there any chance these wires are just "unused" and supposed to be there, not connected to anything...since they don't seem to match the colors described in somebody's response above.

Again, thanks to all for all your help.

 

That's your problem. The boot is part of the harness and not replaceable. Just cut the boot far enough to solder the wires back together and then use black electrical tape and re-wrap the boot.

 

FIXED!!! Thanks for all your help everybody. Found two wires completely broken in the boot from the body to the tailgate.....a black wire with yellow stripe and a white wire with black stripe. Didn't have soldering iron handy so I used butt connectors to crimp the wires back together. Not sure how that will hold up with time and vibration, we shall see. Also found two other wires in that bundle with the insulation completely worn through....on the road to breaking also. I taped the heck out of em.

There is just about zero slack in that wire bundle...I'm surprised they don't break more often.

Again, thanks to all for your info.

SK