Brake light problem

[andymac40330]

I have looked through the forums and couldn't quite find what im looking for. I believe that my brake light fuse is shot (obviously both brake lights just quit at the same time and all other lights work right). Sounds like a simple fix but i dont have the cover for my fuse box. Can someone give me a picture of a fuse box or tell me which fuse goes to the brake light relay? it would be much appreciated.

 

[andymac40330]

so today i got off work early and just decided to take all of the fuses out one at a time and check them. They all seemed to be good and i double checked with a fuse tester. If anyone has any ideas PLEASE help, I want to get this back on the road ASAP.

 

[djjohns55]

Did you check your brake light switch? It can be found up under the brake pedal.

 

[andymac40330]

are you serious? I swear i can't find any logical reason that both of my lights would blow at once. Never had this problem. I feel like an idiot.

 

[luv2rallye]

It could very easily be the brake light switch or a poor connection. There is no relay but the fuse is in the engine fusebox labeled Stop Lamp.

 

[andymac40330]

if you are talking about the 15amp thats 4th from the left on top, i checked it and it seems to be ok. I know there are like 3 bulbs in the back of the car, which one is the brake lights? I may have actually just blown both bulbs at once and i will try to replace them.

 

[housegsx]

Damn! Check the bulbs first. Does the center high mount brake light work?

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

Damn! Check the bulbs first. Does the center high mount brake light work?

Check this... and if it's not working I'm almost certain that your brake light switch is out. I had this happen to me once a LOOOOONG time ago on my Diamante.

 

[andymac40330]

i dont believe i have a center high mount. If it happens to be the switch, could i just pick one up from a junk yard or something? Are they hard to replace? Also the bulbs all light up as far as like if you turn on the headlights, all the tail lights work fine. Just no brake light action.

 

[BoostedinSoFla]

They are not hard to replace but does involve you laying on your back while doing the job so if you're a tall dude like I am it can get pretty uncomfortable working on anything under the dash. The switch should cost no more than $6 at your local auto store.

Also, the bulbs do two jobs. They light up when your park/headlights are on and then light up brighter when the brake pedal is depressed so the bulbs are not completely out of the question.

 

[djjohns55]

Your local parts store should have a switch for you. The brake light switch replacement will put you in an uncomfortable position for sometime. I found that to be the biggest obstacle for me.

 

[andymac40330]

yea i figured that the bulbs had split jobs on taillights and brake lights but it doesn't get brighter on either side when i press the brake pedal. I just couldnt figure out (without at least one side working) which set of lights are the brake lights. I know the outermost lights are "garnish lights" but which of the inner two sets (the farthest towards the middle of the car, or the middle set) is the set that contains the brake light bulb?

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

Both of them.

0XX--XX0 The X's are dual bulbs that double as both your brake lights and blinkers. If your rear blinkers work, but your brake lights don't... the bulbs are not the problem.

 

[andymac40330]

blinkers work great, brake lights are shot. I guess that narrows it down to the switch then. Thanks alot guys for all your help and i hope i can get this going again.

 

[andymac40330]

quick question and hopefully i should have my problem solved. Does the brake light switch (i bought one last night by the way) have to be screwed in a certain amount or just until the switch is depressed? Also does the switch need to be all the way in when the brake is sitting normal, or just pushed in a little bit or what?

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

IRC... as soon as the switch starts to be depressed it will send the signal to the brake lights to turn on.

 

[andymac40330]

So i'm getting fed up with all this brake light stuff. I have checked the fuses twice (just for good measure), replaced the brake light switch, and i still have no brake lights. Like i said before, both blinkers and all tail lights work fine but no brake lights. It's driving me crazy not being able to get it on the road. I also noticed that there is another harness wrapped around the one going to the brake light switch. It is white and looks like a female end with 2 verticle and 1 horizontal terminals. I was guessing maybe it was for a spoiler or something?

 

[slamminsammy]

You need to check the brake pedal switch. There is suppose to be a little contact point on the brake pedal assembly that turns the switch on and off. I had mine break off and my brake lights quit working. So put a nut and bolt to fix it, no problems since. Hope this helps.