No brake lights, third brake light works?

Tiny
KSGARNER
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
I have no brake lights, but the third brake light is working. We replaced bulbs, fuses, but they still do not work. Any ideas of why?
Monday, September 6th, 2010 AT 3:44 PM

47 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Test the turn and hazard switch. This guide will help

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Monday, September 6th, 2010 AT 4:16 PM
Tiny
HAGLERED
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I have the same problem. My hazard lights work. Right works fine, left works when you hold turn signal arm in position.
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Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 AT 9:36 PM
Tiny
MYKEH7
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA
Electrical problem
1996 Chevy Lumina 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

are the breke light and flasher tied together. The left turn signal is fast and no brake lights
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,708 POSTS
Hi:
The element in the bulb has a duel puropse. It functions for both the signal and the brake. Replace the bulb and it should fix the problem. NOTE: The quick flashing usually indicates a bad bulb.

Let me know how it goes.

Joe
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARY C-P
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA
Electrical problem
1996 Chevy Lumina 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

brake lights don't work. Have changed bulbs and fuse.
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Does the thrid brake light in the rear window work?
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PLOWE085
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA
Electrical problem
1996 Chevy Lumina 6 cyl Automatic

My brake lights don't work unless I pull back on the turn signal how can I fix this?
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Sounds like a bad turn signal switch. Make sure you get a good part or a genuine part from a junk yard which is recommended.

If you buy new and buy a offbrand it will go out and you will be replacing it again.

Junk yard is the way to go if you dont have the money
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LITTLEAARON1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Brake lights not working
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Check fuse, bulbs and brake light switch below driver dash.
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOPCHEF
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 CHEVROLET LUMINA
Electrical problem
1995 Chevy Lumina Two Wheel Drive Automatic 120000 miles

brake lights not working light up at back window is working though fuses are all fine
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Faulty turn/multi-function switch
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TWOO46
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1995 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 14,400 MILES
I have a 1995 Chevrolet Lumina, the problem is my outside brakelight does not work, I tried the bulb, and fuse with no luck. The break light in the back window come on when I apply the brakes, but none of the outside brake lights do. The rear lights work when I turn on the headlights, but when the breaks is applied they do not come on. Thanks
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Suspect faulty stop light switch. Need to inspect stop light switch ( aka brake light switch) mounted above brake pedal arm. High-mount light is ran by a relay, the outer 2 brake lights are ran by the switch.

Thanks for using 2CarPros. Com!
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
AMEISSNER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 CHEVROLET LUMINA
I have a 1995 Chevy Lumina V6 with 100,000 miles. I have a couple problems that may or may not be related. If I press the turn signal lever all the way down (where it locks in place), the signal light will not come on, but if I hold the turn signal lever down (not quite to the point that it locks in place), the signal lights will work. The main problem that I have though, is my outside brake lights don't work. I have tried the bulbs, fuses and wiring with no luck. The brake light in the back window comes on when I hit the brakes, but none of the outside brake lights do. The rear lights (same bulbs as the brakes) work when I turn on the headlights, but when the brake is applied, they do not come on. I am going to look into having the turn signal switch replaced and I am hoping that is what is causing both problems. Thanks!
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Who know. With a shot accross the contacts in the multifunction switch, yes I think it's a good bet!
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PWNMONKEY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have the same issue with the same year Lumina.

The problems you described are the same as mine; brake lights not working with tail lights and such, except my turn signals dont work at all.

I'll re-post if replacing the switch corrects the problem, I can't see what else it could be.
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PWNMONKEY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Okay, so I pull out of the shop yesterday after posting the above, and when I flip the right turn signal - IT WORKS.

I tried the left signal and it only worked for me when I gently pushed it down and it would not stay activated while locked in place. Sometimes the right signal will not lock in with the signal activated, and has to be held as well.

I replaced the two tail lights before I even took apart the steering column, so I am wondering what had more to do with it. Obviously the switch is bad (apparently a shop rumor that these things happen with GM's of that simmilar make and year.) I did not replace the switch, I put the old one back to save a little money for the holidays since I can now signal.
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
D PALMQUIST
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Same problem with my 1996 Lumina sedan.

If I put the turn signal in its locked position, the in-dash signal indicator blinks rapidly, which would normally indicate a burnt-out bulb. However, if I hold it slightly out of position, it works fine.

The cruise control stopped working for a few months. Its switch is part of the multifunction switch. It started working again spontaneously after a few months.

Now the brake lights don't work reliably, unless I hold the turn signal position slightly forward when I press the brakes.

Something buggy here, I think.
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CTRACY
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • CHEVROLET LUMINA
I have a 1995 chevy lumina with no brake lights. The 3rd brake light works but the outside (main) lights do not. I saw a post in here about it but couldn't tell what was reccommended to fix it and if it was successfull. The headlights and turn signals work. 1995 chevy lumina 4 door 3.1 V6 135,000 miles. So far all wiring looks good. I replaced brake switch and also ran a jumper across the plug that goes to the switch. Lights still don't work. Any ideas? Thanks.
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM (Merged)

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