brake light question

[MDmounty]

When I turn my headlights/taillights on, the tail light on the left does not light up. Only when I press the brake will the light come on. Earlier this week I ordered a new socket for the bulb (after looking at this socket and seeing that it looked worse than any of the other ones) but now I feel like that might not be the problem since it does work when I push the pedal. I haven't gotten the new socket in yet, but if there is anything else that might cause this issue please send it my way and hopefully I can get it fixed. Thanks for any help

 

[J_C]

I don't recall whether it's two separate bulbs or a dual element bulb but it could be as simple as a bulb or one of two elements in one burning out. You could measure for 12V in the socket with the lights on to see if it's getting power when it fails to light up.

Also, a bad socket can make a bulb (or half of one) burn out faster. I usually start out trying to clean socket contacts with an ink pen eraser (more abrasive than a pencil eraser). If they're brass contacts that's sometimes all it takes.