My brake lights aren't working?

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The power to the turn signals and brake lights comes from the turn signal switch-if it malfunction you won't have the lights.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_brake_5.jpg

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ARMAND66
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Break lights don't work. Only work the inside car by back wind shield. Fuse, wiring's, signal and parking lights are good. Replace bulb still no break lights.I don't know where else to check. Please help. Thank you
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So are you missing the power or ground to the bulb.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ARMAND66
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Maybe but how if parking and signal lights are working?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The parking lights get turned on thru the head light switch the turn signals get turned on thru the turn signal switch. Then the brake lights get turned on thru brake switch. So what were you asking?Do you have a multi meter and test light?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WIFEFOR42
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA
No brake lights
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,871 POSTS
Suggest you fix what's broken so others will know when you're stopping.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check fuse no.23 15amp in the fuse block behind right side of dash if okay -find the brake switch and check for power on the white and orange wire with a test lite-while brake pedal is depress-both should have power if the white don't have it-replace the brake switch or check adjustment-if the okay test the turn and hazard switch the brake circuit goes thru this switch before it gets to the back-
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MRDENNIS58
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 195,000 MILES
On my lumina my brake lights went out except for the one by the back window. I have checked all the wires and fuses and lights and everything was good. So I replaced the brake light switch and nothing I still have no brake lights. Did I miss something I havent checked? I am running out of things to check.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
Make sure you are getting voltage to one side of the brake light switch. The most common problems with the brake lighs working is 1. The fuse, 2 a broke wire goint to the switch or coming from the switch 3, improper adjustment of the brake switch. 4 blown bulds, 4, bad connections in the buld sockets or a bad ground.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE BAUER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 201,000 MILES
Brake lights won't work unless I pull the turn signal lever towards me as I step on brake pedal.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,443 POSTS
Hello and welcome to 2CarPros. That would indicate that the turn signal switch inside the steering column has failed. It is actually a common issue for them to fail. Replacement starts with removing the steering wheel and then the column so that the wiring harness can be slid in and out of the lower column.

This guy tried doing it with the column in the car. The plate he has a problem removing has a retainer ring above it as well as being pressed on. This is when having the special tools to take the column apart are needed. It is possible to do it in the vehicle but not as easy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH6NO61pN-Q
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE BAUER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you very much. We replaced that switch over a week ago and brake lights now work. Now I find out that my tail lights and dash panel lights are out. Guy at AutoZone said fuses are good. Any ideas?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,443 POSTS
Those two are actually tied together. The idea being that you might not notice the tail lights are out, but if the dash lights don't work you would see that. The problem is that many people don't know that the missing dash lights means to check the tail lights.
I would get a test light and go through the fuses myself, not saying he's wrong but it pays to be sure. There are two fuse boxes to check, one on the right side of the dash and the park lamp fuse in the underhood box on the right strut tower.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

A couple things to check as well. Do all of the other lights work? Like the front and side marker/parking lights? How about the plate lights? Daytime running lights?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE BAUER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Brake lights, head lights, reverse, signals are only lights that I believe are working
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE BAUER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Which specific fuses would this be? Online, I can't find anything about tail light fuse.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE BAUER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
We checked the park lamp fuse as you said to and you were right again. Dashboard lights and tail lights are working. You are awesome. Thank you.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,443 POSTS
Great to hear, but fuses don't generally blow for no reason. Do you remember when you discovered they didn't work? Just wondering if you might have an intermittent short or something like that. I'd keep a few fuses handy just in case.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KOLBYKONTZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 189,000 MILES
I was recently pulled over for having no brake lights. While the officer was checking my license the brakes began working again.

I have checked and changed the bulbs in the brakes and they still do not work. My blinkers and brake above the trunk do however work. I do not have an owners manual to check the fuses. I was told that this may however not be the problem as the blinkers are still working.

Do you have and advise? If it is a fuse issue, where do I start to look as I do not have an owners manual to refer too?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
If the 3rd brake light working (middle brake light )
then its not the fuses you need to check wiring and combination switch
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 11:14 AM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links