So I was out and about and on my way home after a 3 hour trip last weekend when someone flagged me over and told me I have no brake lights. I immediately pulled into a gas station and had my partner confirm that (the third brake light works) both aren't working, but the bulbs aren't even turning on either.
We go to AutoZone and get some replacements and I install them there. Driver's side now works, passenger side still busted. Inside the assembly it's kinda...melted; dude at the counter says I should look into a new bulb holder instead of the whole assembly. Cool, I have at least one working brake light now, I'm good to drive home. Both tail lights work too.
The next day I decide to pop the light out again and swap the bulb holders (and the bulbs!) and the holder itself works just fine, but the brake light still doesn't turn on, the tail lights do. Driver's side is still good!
Fast forward to today. I changed my oil (woo 210,000 miles!) and we went to see a movie. On the way back I notice the guy behind me suddenly swerve when I slow down and I'm like damn bro chill, but when we park I peek out my side view mirror and sure enough the driver's side brake light is out again -- however NOW the tail light doesn't work either! Blinkers, Reverse lights work, and the passenger tail light works, but both brake lights are out, and now I'm down to one tail light when the lights are on.
Is it because the melted assembly is toast and it shorted/blew the other one? I don't think it would be a bad brake switch since it's still triggering the third brake light. I bought new tail lights to pick up on Saturday, and I'll be replacing the fuse for it but if those don't work I need a new launching point if y'all got suggestions.