Brake lights not functioning.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Brake lights not functioning.
Corvette C5 1999, 70,000 miles.The middle light is working but not the brake lights when you step on the brake. Tail lights are working when lights are on. Checked the fuses and they are OKAY. Any advice would be appreciated.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
There are several possibilities... You're multi-function switch or your hazard switch could have an issue. You're going to need a multi-meter and a wiring schematic to help you solve this. I'm sure someone on here has one. You could probably find it by searching...
If your center brake light is functioning properly then your actual brake light switch is working. I read a thread a while go that said somewhere off of the switch there are separate connections for the center light and the right and left tails though...
If your center brake light is functioning properly then your actual brake light switch is working. I read a thread a while go that said somewhere off of the switch there are separate connections for the center light and the right and left tails though...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 286
From: Puyallup Washington
I would first check the brake light bulbs themselves to make sure they are good. Since the center light works you know the brake switch is good. Check for good grounds and see if you are getting 12 volts at the brake bulbs when the brake pedal is pushed.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,586
Likes: 1,352
From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
Do your hazard lights work ?
If yes, then check your grounds. If no , then your hazard switch is your culprit.
If yes, then check your grounds. If no , then your hazard switch is your culprit.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 560
Likes: 3
From: Centennial Colorado
This diagram shows you why the center mounted stop lamp works while the other two might not. The flasher and multi-function switch have nothing to do with stop light control, the ebcm does. All the input to the flasher does is allow the brake lights to override the flasher. The center mounted light is a straight shot (green), while the L + R lamps require voltage from the ebcm (RED) which has it's own logic.
Good luck, shouldn't be to bad to find.
Good luck, shouldn't be to bad to find.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...incidence.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ghts-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-thoughts.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...nspection.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ghts-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...t-working.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...t-working.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...t-working.html
OP, do your turn signals work? Do your hazard lights work? Are you REALLY sure fuse #8 is not blown?
Lots of info out there if you search...
Last edited by cdkcorvette7; Sep 15, 2011 at 12:58 AM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From: Simi Valley CA
I'm not as electrical savvy as the rest of the guys on here, but this is what I did when my 98 had the same problem. I have LED tail lights with a flasher bypass harness. I removed the bypass harness and everything worked just fine without it, except for having hyperflash with the turn signals. Replaced the bypass harness with a new one and everything has been working just fine ever since.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
I'm far from an electronics expert, but I know that any time a circuit "passes through" a switch that has the ability to dictate the operation of that circuit, that switch has the potential to cause an issue with that circuit if it goes bad. Both the multifunction switch and the hazard switch are wired into the brake light circuit such that they have an impact on how it operates; i.e turn signal causes one side to blink, hazard switch causes both sides to blink. If either of those switches develops an issue it can cause the tail lights to not function properly...
Last edited by cdkcorvette7; Sep 15, 2011 at 04:42 PM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 560
Likes: 3
From: Centennial Colorado
Perhaps you could explain to me then why replacing my hazard switch solved this issue for me when I had it? If you really want proof go out to your car and unplug your hazard switch (it'll take a little work to get to this) and see what happens to your tail lights...
I'm far from an electronics expert, but I know that any time a circuit "passes through" a switch that has the ability to dictate the operation of that circuit, that switch has the potential to cause an issue with that circuit if it goes bad. Both the multifunction switch and the hazard switch are wired into the brake light circuit such that they have an impact on how it operates; i.e turn signal causes one side to blink, hazard switch causes both sides to blink. If either of those switches develops an issue it can cause the tail lights to not function properly...
I'm far from an electronics expert, but I know that any time a circuit "passes through" a switch that has the ability to dictate the operation of that circuit, that switch has the potential to cause an issue with that circuit if it goes bad. Both the multifunction switch and the hazard switch are wired into the brake light circuit such that they have an impact on how it operates; i.e turn signal causes one side to blink, hazard switch causes both sides to blink. If either of those switches develops an issue it can cause the tail lights to not function properly...
Either way, best of luck to the OP.
