i rewired my rear lights and just as before, the lights are very dim when the brakes are applied. i checked for any bare/damaged wires and repaired if necessary. so when brakes are applied when runners are on, you can barely tell that they are applied... any help would be appreciated.

 

i have seen the bulb sockets go bad very rare but it does happen.

 

You said that you re-wired the lights. To what extent did you re-wire?? Also, you may have already done this, but make sure you have excellent grounds. A bad ground wire has caused me lots of trouble in the past.

Also, you could put a meter on your brake light and see how much voltage you have back there when the brake pedal is pressed. Could be losing some voltage somewhere between the brake switch and the light. And the brake circuit is also tied into the Hazzard/Emergency flashers. That's where my problem was.

Good luck!!