Brake Lights
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 3
From: VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Brake Lights
We just noticed that our brake lights are not working. We checked the fuse and it appears okay. The left/right turn signals work, hazzard lights, everything it all works except the brake lights. We're wondering if it could be a switch or wire problem. We've eliminated a fuse and filament problem becuase everything else works.
Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated.
Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Using a test lite, check the brake lite switch under the dash. It is a normally closed switch and when the plunger is released by the brake pedal arm it will turn on the brake lites.
Fits a wide variety of gm cars and available at any pats store for under $10.00
If it tests good, then follow the wires to the steering column and test at the wide connector there. If it tests good going into the column and not out of the column on the other wires at the same connector, then either the wires are broken in the column or the turn signal switch is bad.
Fits a wide variety of gm cars and available at any pats store for under $10.00
If it tests good, then follow the wires to the steering column and test at the wide connector there. If it tests good going into the column and not out of the column on the other wires at the same connector, then either the wires are broken in the column or the turn signal switch is bad.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by noonie
Using a test lite, check the brake lite switch under the dash. It is a normally closed switch and when the plunger is released by the brake pedal arm it will turn on the brake lites.
Fits a wide variety of gm cars and available at any pats store for under $10.00
If it tests good, then follow the wires to the steering column and test at the wide connector there. If it tests good going into the column and not out of the column on the other wires at the same connector, then either the wires are broken in the column or the turn signal switch is bad.
Fits a wide variety of gm cars and available at any pats store for under $10.00
If it tests good, then follow the wires to the steering column and test at the wide connector there. If it tests good going into the column and not out of the column on the other wires at the same connector, then either the wires are broken in the column or the turn signal switch is bad.
Nice diagnosis noonie !!!(but you meant normally open on brake switch I think.)
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Switches are always described in their natural state, so in this case the plunger which is spring loaded, is extended and the contacts are closed. When the brake pedal is not applied, the plunger is depressed and the contacts are open, so it is a naturally closed switch. It can also be described as a momentary switch.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 478
Likes: 56
From: Woodstock Georgia
Disconnect the connector from the brake switch. Ohm the leads on the brake switch and you should be open until you press the pedal then you will measure continuity (switch contacts close). The other thing is to check that you have 12V on one lead of the connector. One lead of the connector is always hot and so when the switch is closed, it then switches 12V to the brake lights.
