C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

third brake light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 06:03 PM
  #1  
torchred89's Avatar
torchred89
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,871
Likes: 0
From: sterling va usa
Default third brake light

I changed all 4 bulbs and still don't work all other lights work. Where do I look next?
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 06:38 PM
  #2  
Flame Red's Avatar
Flame Red
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,517
Likes: 1,304
From: Windermere FL
Default

The third brake light is driven off the switch on the brake pedal. It is very common for it to break and the 3rd light not work. Replace the switch.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 09:14 PM
  #3  
kenv's Avatar
kenv
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Default

Originally Posted by Flame Red
The third brake light is driven off the switch on the brake pedal. It is very common for it to break and the 3rd light not work. Replace the switch.
Also the wire from the 3rd brake light might have gotten pinched somewhere along the line.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2010 | 04:55 PM
  #4  
90WhiteLightning's Avatar
90WhiteLightning
Intermediate
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Eldersburg Maryland
Default 3rd Brake Light....something other than brake switch?

Originally Posted by kenv
Also the wire from the 3rd brake light might have gotten pinched somewhere along the line.
I have a 90 where the 3rd brake light isn't working as well. I measured the voltage at the light bar when I press on the brake and I got 11.5v. I was like, great..good news....BUT...when I wire up a bulb (using alligator clips, etc), the light doesn't light and I get around 30mv...It drops immediately after I hook up a bulb. Any ideas?...Could it still be the brake switch attached to the brake pedal? I'm stumped....
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2010 | 11:46 PM
  #5  
JackDidley's Avatar
JackDidley
Race Director
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
Default

Its the switch. Didnt we just do this thread 2 days ago ?? Oh yea here it is.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...ird-light.html

Last edited by JackDidley; Sep 1, 2010 at 11:52 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2010 | 09:20 AM
  #6  
AGENT 86's Avatar
AGENT 86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Active Streak: 90 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,316
Likes: 246
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Default

Originally Posted by 90WhiteLightning
I have a 90 where the 3rd brake light isn't working as well. I measured the voltage at the light bar when I press on the brake and I got 11.5v. I was like, great..good news....BUT...when I wire up a bulb (using alligator clips, etc), the light doesn't light and I get around 30mv...It drops immediately after I hook up a bulb. Any ideas?...Could it still be the brake switch attached to the brake pedal? I'm stumped....
Weak ground or poor connection at switch, is likely the cause.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2010 | 08:10 PM
  #7  
90WhiteLightning's Avatar
90WhiteLightning
Intermediate
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Eldersburg Maryland
Default

Originally Posted by JackDidley
Its the switch. Didnt we just do this thread 2 days ago ?? Oh yea here it is.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...ird-light.html
Thanks....It indeed was the brake light switch. Now I hear you guys saying it was an easy replacement....well, it took me a few hours
The hardest part was crawling down by the brake pedal far enough that you can actually see the switch. In the manual I had it said to remove the retaining clip...well, the retaining clip wasn't going anywhere...it looks permanent to me....so I basically "forced" the dang switch out (slide it out the back side). Not sure if you guys have some easier method or not. In any case...I'm good to go now. Thanks!
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2010 | 10:48 PM
  #8  
JackDidley's Avatar
JackDidley
Race Director
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by 90WhiteLightning
Thanks....It indeed was the brake light switch. Now I hear you guys saying it was an easy replacement....well, it took me a few hours
The hardest part was crawling down by the brake pedal far enough that you can actually see the switch. In the manual I had it said to remove the retaining clip...well, the retaining clip wasn't going anywhere...it looks permanent to me....so I basically "forced" the dang switch out (slide it out the back side). Not sure if you guys have some easier method or not. In any case...I'm good to go now. Thanks!


Yea, its sort of hard to get under there. I'm only 5'7" @ 145# and its not easy. It didnt take long for me to just grab it and "force" it out though. I didnt have enough patience to try and unscrew it or something. Next time it will take you 10 minutes. At least you got er done.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 4, 2010 | 07:48 AM
  #9  
ddahlgren's Avatar
ddahlgren
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
Default

A new mantra in my garage..

When in doubt take the seat out!

It is only 4 easy to get to bolts and a couple of electrical connectors.

Sometimes it is easier to work under the dash when on jackstands as silly as it sounds you end up looking up rather than crawling in like a pretzel and then your nose is 6 inches from the part.

Last edited by ddahlgren; Sep 4, 2010 at 07:51 AM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To third brake light





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:50 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE