Brake lights do not turn on

Tiny
HDOUGN2015
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 GMC SIERRA
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
All the other light's filaments in my chassis ail light system are operable. I have replaced every tail light bulb as well as the actual boards they mount to inside the lens assemblies. All those lights work; turn signal, running lights, & backup lights. And the hazard flasher makes all the turn indicator lights flash all around the vehicle. Someone in a tractor trailer rig yelled at me on the interstate yesterday saying I had no brake lights, otherwise I was unaware of any issue since my cruise control works normally - it doesn't appear to fail to disengage when I brake. Nothing was found wrong at the brake 10A fuse. I tested plugged a trailer hitch backup light and it didn't illuminate either. Could I have a faulty brake-pedal switch or a bad contact in my turnhazard switch relay and how can I test this circuit before I dig around under my dashboard to replace the brake pedal switch that's difficult to get out?
Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 AT 8:58 AM

14 Replies

Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Check to see if your hazard lights work. They work of the same fuse. If they do the fuse is good.
Then you need a test light to check the brake light switch at the pedal.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 AT 9:26 AM
Tiny
HDOUGN2015
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
My taillights have three bulbs with multiple filaments; the hazard switch does operate and causes one lamp to illuminate and flash at each taillight (I believe it's the middle bulb flashing). Until I read some of the comments posted here I was unaware the brake lights illuminate the 2 sets of bulbs other than the backup lamp. So, Neither of my bulbs are getting lit when I brake. I'll start at the brake switch after I've removed an old trailer harness. Yesterday morning I went through an automatic car wash and suspect it got a blast of water that caused this.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 AT 11:28 AM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Ok np
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 AT 2:46 PM
Tiny
HDOUGN2015
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
That brake switch is unreachable where its mounted and I need to see where the wires connect but can't determine where they terminate. Does anyone have specific info? Even Chiltons and Haynes manuals are vague and non -specific.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 AT 3:29 PM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
U need to remove the under dash panel, a/c ducting and dash panels to gain axcess. Have u cked. The lights by having some1 press the brake?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 AT 3:50 PM
Tiny
HDOUGN2015
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I've had both taillights disassembled from lenses and viewable from my cab. And I disconnected my trailer harness and used a test probe into that receptacle while my pedal was held down -- no brake signal comes on. Of course when I test for hazard flashers in that same receptacle it indicates 2 energized flashing filaments (for both left and right lenses). So, there's nothing wrong with my trailer harness wiring.
I'm either not getting a signal from my brake switch, or my turn signal switch in my steering column needs replacement from what I have read of other's resolutions.
Or, maybe I just need to unplug and replug the computer module like I had to do to a my 2007 Malibu a few years ago when it began turning on and keeping on the brake lights intermittently while being driven. I wrestled a new brake switch under that thing and it fixed nothing.
Are there online sources where I can view specific info on this vehicle's wiring cabling plugs diagram layout and pinout of wires? I'd don't look forward to disassembling the dash interior ac duct without knowing the exact cause.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, May 3rd, 2015 AT 11:29 AM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
U were told to check the voltage at the switch. Not to replace the switch. Scince their is no
power to the brake switch. Now u will need to pick up a turn signal switch. Plug it in before
installing it to see if the brake lights start working.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, May 3rd, 2015 AT 3:38 PM
Tiny
HDOUGN2015
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I'm waiting for a 1997 Chevy GMC Pickup C/K Truck Shop Service Repair Manual (CD Engine Electrical OEM) to arrive in my mail for detail info how to disassemble the lower dash and access the wiring terminals so I can check an input and output signal of that brake pedal switch. Hopefully, it does not require a combination switch on the steering column. I will know how to troubleshoot that soon enough if I need to. I rewired my trailer harness with newer connectors and new ground terminals in case it was what caused this conundrum.
How often have others sought this advice about failed brake lights and said it fixed the problem by changing the brake pedal switch? I'm getting no displayed diagnostic code faults which seems pretty useless for a modern vehicle that should indicate something wrong when there is not any illumination of the brake lights.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, May 3rd, 2015 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Faulty brake llight switchs are the useall part that fails. The turn signal swiitch 1 that i've seen. Most all the lights are covered on the cars fault test saidly brake lights are not
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, May 4th, 2015 AT 5:06 AM
Tiny
HDOUGN2015
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I haven't checked this GMC's 3rd brake light atop the cab.
Wouldn't any one burnt bulb cause all to fail? That would be the easiest fix ever.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, May 4th, 2015 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
U WILL NEED TO TEST IT.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 AT 11:34 AM
Tiny
HDOUGN2015
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I HAD a problem with my 97 GMC brake lights and HAD extremely, severe difficulty just getting a couple of my fingers to feel that connector of that pedal switch mounted above a shroud of sheet metal, braces, and steering column and had absolutely no room to grasp and disconnect a single connector nor even be able to put a test probe into any connector to check for voltage output. Now I feel like I need to wear a neck brace for 6 weeks. Whatever I did - touched or pushed some connector somewhere up there, it brought functions back to my brake pedal switch.
Would completely removing the upper dash and instrument cluster give me more access to actually change this switch, or should the steering column be removed? Removing the lower dash and ac duct there didn't even begin to help. I'm just wondering why its impossible to find more specific information that's helpful to resolving this. Even that GM service manual didn't expound on the difficulty of accomplishing this task.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, May 7th, 2015 AT 11:12 AM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
I agree this not a easy task
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, May 8th, 2015 AT 6:50 AM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Power goes through the fuse to the brake switch then through the turn signal switch to the rear.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, May 8th, 2015 AT 7:00 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links