Anyone got any thoughts on this -
2000 jxi - none of the break lights work, brake switch has been replaced and confirmed power is getting to the socket the bulb connects to when the brake pedal is pressed - used a circuit tester. Also confirmed power going to the center brake light when the brake pedal is pressed.

Bulbs look fine, part of the element lights up when the lights are on, but the other element does not when the brake is pressed.

Got to be missing something simple ?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

 

If you have power at the socket, but no lights, it has to be the bulb. The two separate filaments are for the two functions of the light, running lights and brake lights. The two filaments are on separate circuits and just because one filament works there is no guarantee that the other one does, too. Since you have a circuit tester you can check the bulbs for continuity. Check both filaments. Check the ground wires as well to make sure the sockets are properly grounded.

It's unusual for both brake lights to go out at once, but what can easily happen is that one side goes out unnoticed, and then the other goes out and you have no lights.

 

Excellent - turned out it was the bulbs - all of them. I guess you never check the brake lights until you have to & then it looked like something else !

Lesson learned !

Thanks dcotter0579 !!