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Brake Lights Do Not Work?

Tiny
PIKEJB
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET TRUCK
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 132,000 MILES
I was testing for power in the bulb socket with the hazard lights on when I accidentally shorted them out. Now the hazards and the brake lights (including over-cab light) do not work, but the turn signals, parking lights and reverse lights work fine. I checked the fuses visually and with a meter and none were blown. And I swapped the break light relay with the starter relay temporarily to check it - that didn't work. Is there another fuse or switch that may have blown that I am missing?
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Monday, December 22nd, 2008 AT 3:23 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Ok first you should check the hot wire to the stop light switch on the brake pedal. It will be orange and should have power all the time. If it don't then you need to check the stop light relay under the hood on the left near the rear of the engine compartment. Both of these also seem to be wired to the cargo lamp as well as the hazzard lights. Let me know what you find an we will go from there. Thanks and Merry Christmas
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Monday, December 22nd, 2008 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
Hello, It sounds like the brake light switch has shorted. Test the power feed wires, if you have power feed replace the switch with new.
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Monday, December 22nd, 2008 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
PIKEJB
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Update: I have replaced the brake light switch (major pain in the rear) but that didn't work. Unfortunately, I didn't have my meter w/ me and wasn't able to test the orange wire. As far as the stop light relay goes, I switched it w/ the starter relay temporarily to test it (they have the same markings so I think they are the same size), but that didn't work either. Do you think it's the circuit boards in the tail lights? But that wouldn't explain the front hazards not working. Are there any in line fuses between the lights and the front of the truck? Something has to be blown since I shorted it out, but I can't find a single fuse that is blown. I noticed another odd thing - If you let the hazard switch out fully (should be on), nothing happens. But when I start to push it back in if I hold the hazzard switch in the half-way position, one of the front lights blinks but everything else stays dead. But this only happens with the key on.

I'm off for a few days around Christmas, so I plan on getting my meter back and working on this until it is fixed. Any more thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks and Merry Christmas
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Wednesday, December 24th, 2008 AT 8:55 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
Hi, to futher check this problem a simple test light or multi meter will be needed, we need to confirm power sources into the switch, have you checked all the bulb to make sure the correct bulbs are installed?

If ok, test the power feed into the switch that will tell us something, we can go from there.
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Wednesday, December 24th, 2008 AT 3:10 PM
Tiny
PIKEJB
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Ok, I got my meter back and there is no power to the break light switch. The orange wire is not hot, nor are any of the others. If this means the stop light relay may be out, how do you check it?
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Saturday, December 27th, 2008 AT 2:11 PM
Tiny
PIKEJB
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
And yes the correct bulbs are installed. I only replaced one bulb and I made certain that is was the correct part number bulb w/ two fillaments.
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Saturday, December 27th, 2008 AT 2:13 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
This is how you check the relay

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_do_i_check_a_relay.htm

do you have a wiring diagram for the circuit?
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Saturday, December 27th, 2008 AT 4:59 PM
Tiny
PIKEJB
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
The relay seems to be working. I can power up the control terminals and get continuity between the power terminals. I checked the power terminal sockets for the relay in the fuse panel and only one power terminal socket is hot. I tried pressing the brake and turning the key on, but only one terminal has power.

I do not have a wiring diagram.
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Saturday, December 27th, 2008 AT 5:24 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
Let me look that up, ill get right back to you
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Sunday, December 28th, 2008 AT 1:14 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
Hi, I checked it out, the power to the brake light switch comes directly from the fuse panel, so if the fuse is good and you are not getting power to the switch, a wire or connection has failed, you might have to rewire the circuit. I have in included the wiring diagram for the circuit.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/10_wiring_1.jpg



you might need to blow up the pic to see it clearly.
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Monday, December 29th, 2008 AT 12:37 PM
Tiny
PIKEJB
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Ok, I fixed it. It was a fuse that I didn't know was there. I feel stupid b/c it took me a couple of days to find the fuse panel around the far left side of the dash hidden by a removable panel. I had checked the fuse panel under the hood and the one under the dash by the brake and gas pedals.

Thanks for your help.
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Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 AT 8:25 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
Glad its fixed, that's what we do, thanks for using 2carpros. Com, tell a friend
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Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 AT 9:32 PM

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