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Noobie needs some help please! (third brake light)

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Old Sep 12, 2008 | 10:22 PM
  #1  
iwannaZR1's Avatar
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Default Noobie needs some help please! (third brake light)

Hi all,

The other day I was backed up to some large windows of a business where I can see in the reflection the back of my 1988 c4 while looking through the rear view mirror. So I took that oppurtunity to check my brake lights. I pressed on the the brake pedal and all lights looked good.
Then I started the car with the brake pedal still depressed, which I've never done before, and the third brake light actually went out! The tail light/brakelights still work- just not the stop lamp up top. I've checked the fuses and combed through the service manual and cannot find the answer.

So here goes:
1) Is there another fuse box other than the one you have to access from opening the passenger's door, hidden somewhere? (I know my other car has an additional fuse box under the hood not listed in its manual). My sevice manual is not clear enough for me to comprehend. Sometimes it speaks of an auxillary fuse box but cannot find any additional info -I just figure it is speaking of the accessible panel.

2) Anyone else have this happen?
3) Any suggestions on fixing?

Thanks for any help!
-Cliff
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Old Sep 12, 2008 | 11:16 PM
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Theres a good chance its the switch if its the same switch thats in a 91.The 3rd brakelight on my car didnt work and it was the switch.This switch has two functions,2 sets of brake lights.
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Old Sep 12, 2008 | 11:31 PM
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I would agree it is an issue with the brake light switch..seen it happen before..

The brown wire is for the tail lamps and the Lt. Blue is for the third brake light at least it is on a 91

Last edited by FASTAZU; Sep 12, 2008 at 11:38 PM.
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Old Sep 13, 2008 | 07:16 AM
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Thanks guys-
I will pick one up and "switch" it out.
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Old Sep 13, 2008 | 01:13 PM
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Be prepared,this job is a pain in the a$$
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Old Sep 13, 2008 | 02:08 PM
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I dont know about the wiring but I had a problem with something a few years ago (I forget what it was) and my son found the auxilliary fuse box above the passengers knees, sorta under the glove box. I think he got at it by peeling some of the upper carpeting away.
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Old Sep 13, 2008 | 02:36 PM
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Be advised that if you test it with a meter it may still look like it works but replace it anyway - I did and everything is fine now. Thanks to a thread I had here a few months ago it saved me! I was going crazy till someone here said to change it anyway...
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