1998 Dodge Neon 1998 Dodge Neon brake light problem

Tiny
GOERES
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 DODGE NEON
The tail lights do not light up when the brakes are applied but the center one still does. I figured it was a burnt bulb or something so I tested it by turning on the signal lights and both of them work. Also the running lights work. So basically I thought it might be a relay or something like that because the rear middle tail light still works when the brakes are applied. Any other suggestions?
Thursday, July 15th, 2010 AT 12:24 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
Hi GOERES. Welcome to the forum. All that's left is the multifunction switch and its wiring. Check for voltage on the white / tan wire, pin 2. There should be 12 volts when the brake pedal is pressed. That's the same circuit that feeds the center brake light. If you have voltage there but not on pin 3, brown / red wire, the contact in the switch is open circuit.

Caradiodoc
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Friday, March 26th, 2021 AT 10:24 AM
Tiny
GOERES
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  • 3 POSTS
Location of this multifunction switch?
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Friday, March 26th, 2021 AT 10:24 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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Left side of the steering column. Commonly called the turn signal switch.

Caradiodoc
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Friday, March 26th, 2021 AT 10:24 AM
Tiny
GOERES
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So thats the thing you use to turn the signal lights on and off then I am assuming. How the heck would replace that?
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Friday, March 26th, 2021 AT 10:24 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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Don't recall ever changing one on a Neon but it should be the same as Intrepids and Caravans, so this is from memory:

There should be four torx-head screws on the bottom of the steering column cover just under the steering wheel. One of them holds the bottom half to the column. The other three hold the top and bottom halves together. Remove those four screws, then pop the two halves apart. There will also be plastic fingers holding them together.

Once the covers are out of the way, look for two screws holding the switch assembly to the column. Remove them and pull the switch to the side to remove it. There may be another screw holding the electrical connector to the switch.

Before you spend money on a new switch, check for the two voltages I mentioned previously to verify the switch is the problem.

Caradiodoc
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Friday, March 26th, 2021 AT 10:24 AM

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