I have a 2004 MINI Cooper S. Clear taillights and chrome bulbs. the running lights work but when I press on the brakes only my 3rd brake light under the tailwing works. i checked the brake light fuse. any reason they would be lit while running but not get brighter once the brakes are pushed? could it be the bulbs? thanks.

 

:[ maybe ill buy a normal red bulb and see if it gets brighter when i press the brakes....

 

It should be a 7528 which is the same as an 1157 bulb.

 

The bulbs are dual filament. One filament only illuminates for the brake and the other only for the running light. The brake filament can burn out and the running light filament can continue working (or vice versa).

So the bulbs could be the problem, but it would be odd if the brake lights on both sides suddenly stopped working at the same time. If that's what happened, something else might be causing the problem.

 

Thank you both of you!

 

I bought new Sylvania LL bulbs and red bulb covers and they work running and pushing on the brake. Thanks guys! Ill let you know if those stop working ever.