Brake lights not working?

JANEDOE3120

MEMBER
2006 HONDA CRV
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
76,000 MILES

3 of the 5 brake lights will not work when I compress the brake. They do however light up when I turn the headlights on (but when I hit the brake only 2 of them get brighter). I have checked the bulbs and they are all good. I just checked the fuses last night and nothing was out (but my radio doesn't work now). I looked at the brake light switch and it seems fine. I am not exactly sure how it is supposed to look but the button would go in and out with ease when I hit the brake. Could you give me some theories on why my lights are doing this and how to fix it?

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Wednesday, May 25th, 2011 AT 2:08 PM

25 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hello,

It sounds like you have the wrong bulbs installed or the fuse # 7 - 15 amp is out. Here is a guide to help you fix the brake light and the brake light wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-lights-not-working

and test for power through the brake light switch by the brake pedal.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is. Cheers

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Wednesday, May 25th, 2011 AT 2:16 PM

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

Check the fuse, and if that is OK, check the brake light switch on top of the brake pedal under the dash.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

GREASEMONKEY1

MEMBER
2 POSTS
2004 HONDA CRV
150,000 MILES

Brake lights not working nor is the 3rd (center) light. Fuse is ok. Bulbs appear ok although 1 looks a bit burnt but filament appears intact, however even if 1 bulb is bad wouldn't other side work? Switch is ok as just tried a new one and still didn't work. Can hear relay click with current switch as well as original. Recently had transmission rebuilt. Is there some type of ground wire that could have been disconnected when trans rebuilt? All other lights and horn work. Any suggestions? THANKS!

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,874 POSTS

It could be a ground or the switch itself could be bad. Check that too.

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

GREASEMONKEY1

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you Jacobandnickolas. But. I tried a new switch and they still don't work so I checked for power at the fuse and found the fuse had a bad connection so I fixed that now the brake light work! I love this site.

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

TAMMY SHORTY

MEMBER
1 POST

I am having the exact same issue. Did you figure it out? Is there a separate ground wire?

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

Hello,

There is a fuse #7 15 amp that needs to be checked for power. Here is a guide to show you how with the fuse location and the brake light wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

ZTROUTMAN

MEMBER
1 POST
2004 HONDA CRV
77,000 MILES

I have a 2004 Honda CRV. My side brake lights are out, but the little one up top isn't. It's not the bulbs, because the bulbs work fine when used in reverse or hazard lights, so they aren't burnt out. I thought it might be a fuse, so I checked the fuses and they all seem to be fine. Any idea what might be the problem?

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

Hello,

If the high mount light is working then it must be the bulbs because the system is wired together. I would check the bulbs because they are separate from the others. Here is a guide and the brake light wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-lights-not-working

Check out the diagrams (Below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

RKAUSTIN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I had this problem too, I checked the bulbs they were burnt out! Thanks 2CarPros.

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

DHAFT

MEMBER
1 POST
2004 HONDA CRV
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
83,000 MILES

My brake lights are not working, I looked to see if there was a fuse that controls them, but couldn't find one, am I missing something?

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

DOCFIXIT

MECHANIC
18,828 POSTS

Check the switch high up on the pedal it maybe out of adjustment. If button is coming out when pedal is depresed remove connecter and jumper lights on, then replace switch. No lights check the bulbs.
Hope this helps

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

PAUL AASRUD

MEMBER
2 POSTS
HONDA CRV

2002 honda crv 79,000 miles, my brake lights quit working - I replaced fuse under hood and all light bulbs they still dont work what do I do now? Thanks, Paul

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,754 POSTS

Check under the vehicle on the tranny. See if they wire for the lights has been disconnected or cut. IF not, the sender is bad.

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

PAUL AASRUD

MEMBER
2 POSTS
HONDA CRV

Hi, my brake lights quit on my 2002 CR-V. I replaced the fuse under hood marked 'horn/brakes' and all of the lights 5 of them including the one in back window. The lights still don't work- what do I do next?

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Try the relay its located behind the right rear quarter panel. If it checks out do below.

Test the brake switch at the brake pedal-one of the contact's on it should have power and when pedal is depressed the power goes to the other contact then back to the lights.

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

GWYNN55

MEMBER
1 POST
2004 HONDA CRV

2004 Honda CRV V8 80000 miles

I replaced lights and still not working. The reverse light and turn signal work. Is there a fuse and where is it. On the fuse panel nothing says rear brake light.

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi gwynn55,

It is fuse # 7 in under hood fuse box.

The horn shares the same fuse an if it is working, then check the brake switch located on bracket above the brake pedal.

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)

RBRAVINE

MEMBER
1 POST
2004 HONDA CRV
4 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
68,000 MILES

Dear Sirs,
Since both brake lights went out at the same time I am thinking that this may be a fuse problem. However I have not been able to locate a fuse for the rear brake lights. The owners manual does not identify the location of such a fuse and does not even suggest that this vehicle has one (which I find to be very strange). Please let me know where the brake fuse is located or if you believe it could be another problem. Thanks.
Rick (8/18/08)

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)

KHLOW2008