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So the four rear tail lights stopped working on my 99 coupe recently but the center brake light (stop lamp?) works, hazards/turn signals work, and the running brake lights come on when the headlights are on. Checked fuses 8 and 15, both appear to be fine. I read a possible solution was replacing the hazard switch so I did that and still have no brake lights.
I'm now wondering if the multifunction switch could be bad, but if every other light is working I'm not sure that it is. I've read that having euro tail lights could possibly have something to do with it, I thought mine were standard but after googling it I think they're euro (pic below). What should my next steps be diagnostically?
I would not think the hazard switch would have anything to do with it, and since your third light is working the switch on the brake pedal is working. Since it is both sides I would think a connector is bad somewhere in the back. Pull the tail lights and look around. Check for power at the lights when you step on the brake, if you have power then you know it is a ground problem.
You have a euro amber set of lights. If it was installed with one of the kits that were available then a 2nd harness was installed.
From what I know of the wiring (have the euro clear tail lights on mine) there is a large multi pin connector on the passenger side frame rail just behind the rear wheel that has all the circuits for the taillights. You may have a bad wire in it. On a friends car this was the issue with his Euro lights.
From your descriptions it is not a multi function switch or hazard switch issue.
The 2nd harness that is added with these kits is supposed to split the brake and turn signal circuits. It uses the circuit for the 3rd brake light in the center to power the other brake lights.These kits also require the cutting of a white wire at the brake pedal switch under the dash, this separates the brake and turn functions.
You have a euro amber set of lights. If it was installed with one of the kits that were available then a 2nd harness was installed.
From what I know of the wiring (have the euro clear tail lights on mine) there is a large multi pin connector on the passenger side frame rail just behind the rear wheel that has all the circuits for the taillights. You may have a bad wire in it. On a friends car this was the issue with his Euro lights.
From your descriptions it is not a multi function switch or hazard switch issue.
The 2nd harness that is added with these kits is supposed to split the brake and turn signal circuits. It uses the circuit for the 3rd brake light in the center to power the other brake lights.These kits also require the cutting of a white wire at the brake pedal switch under the dash, this separates the brake and turn functions.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Gary
Thanks for the info Gary. I don’t know how much one of those harnesses costs but it looks like one of the previous owners decided it wasn’t worth it and came up with their own setup. I can only assume from what I’ve seen so far that they weren’t an electrician.
Does the inner trunk lining come out or will I have to take the rear fascia off to get a better look at the wiring back there?
Thanks for the info Gary. I don’t know how much one of those harnesses costs but it looks like one of the previous owners decided it wasn’t worth it and came up with their own setup. I can only assume from what I’ve seen so far that they weren’t an electrician.
Does the inner trunk lining come out or will I have to take the rear fascia off to get a better look at the wiring back there?
Remove the tail lamp assemblies and you can access the harness for each one. You can unplug and pull back the euro harness toward the right side of the car, where it plugs into the main harness close to the right muffler. If you want to buy a replacement harness, they are around $100. PM me if you want to know where, not sure they are a forum sponsor or I would post it up.
Where are you located. If in SoCal I can help you with the repair.
Gary
Other side of the country unfortunately. I think might be able to figure it out though, just need to get at the stoplight part of the harness. I guess everything unclips and I can pull it through one of the taillight openings.
Problem solved. Pulled the harness and, ironically, it was the one wire he actually soldered that came loose, not one of the cheap connectors he used for everything else.
Brake Lights Not Working
