Intermittent Brake Light

My passenger side brake light frequently doesn't work. The signal light and general running light seem unaffected. Sometimes (or so it seems) just turning lights on and off and/or flipping the turn signal allows the brake light to work again. No real rhyme or reason to this.

Other than a short in the line, does anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this? (Bulb has been replaced.)

PontiaCat59.....I would doubt that you have a short, as that would cause a circuit breaker to trip, or a fuse to blow, or in extreem cases burn up the wire. What you seem to have is an intermittent open circuit, and/or a poor ground. I would tend to think the former. The bulb has two filiments in it. One is for the running light, and the other is both the signal light and the brake light. The power to the brake lamp goes through the turn signal switch so that the filament can blink when you activate the switch, with the brakes applied. Check the connector and pins on the turn signal switch located on the lower part of the steering column below the dash......John

My Safari has been doing the exact thing you have described, and I identified the source to be the turn signal switch on the lower steering column as CATBIRD decribed. You can adjust the switch as well-it may just be out of alignment, however I sourced a used one as mine appeared abit worn and had developed a crack.
The way I identified it as the switch was, when only one brake light would come on (usually sitting in the garage and seeing only one shine on the garage door) very gently tap on the signal switch either up or down and it will probably be enough to kick it on.

Electrical problems are just so much fun. Enjoy!

Thanks fellows!

Sounds like a plan. Now all I need is some time to work on it.