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Brake lights not working properly?

Tiny
BARB1234
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE
  • 1.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • 180,000 MILES
The bulb is new. It lights up with the running lights on. It reminds off when the brake pedal is depressed. Not so the right one. I don’t know how to check the brake light switch?
Saturday, June 22nd, 2019 AT 4:42 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,128 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

If the brake light switch was bad, none of the brake lights would work, so no need to check that. What I need you to do is check if there is power to that light socket when the brake is pressed. Also, confirm that you have the correct bulb and the light socket isn't corroded or damaged in any way.

Here are a couple links you may find helpful when checking the socket. All you really will need is a basic test light.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

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Sunday, June 23rd, 2019 AT 10:58 PM
Tiny
BARB1234
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you. I was glad to be able, through logical testing, to confirm it was not the wiring. I have ordered a taillight connector plate. It’s the only thing not working and I could see no way to disassemble or clean it.
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 5:11 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,128 POSTS
Welcome back:

You are very welcome. Honestly, the connector plate is a circuit board and they do fail. If you had power to that point but the light still wouldn't turn on, I have a good feeling you nailed down the problem.

Let me know if that fixes it or if you need anything.

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:07 PM
Tiny
BARB1234
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Will do. I should be able to reply mid- late July. Than you

Barb
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 9:21 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,128 POSTS
Happy to help.

Take care and have a great 4th of July.

Joe
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 9:33 PM
Tiny
ZIERIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE
Electrical problem
2003 Chevy Venture 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

my brake lights on my 2003 venture dont work & I replaced brake light switch they still dont work
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Hello

Do all the other lights work? (tail lamps, reverse etc..) . Are both bulbs good? This guide can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-lights-not-working

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZIERIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
YES ALL BULBS ARE GOOD
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Ok, you will need to use a test lamp and connect it to the ground of the stop lamp switch, probe the battery positive voltage circuit of the stop lamp switch connector. Let me know if the test lamp illuminates or not.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NATGRACEAB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHEVROLET VENTURE
  • 3.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 133,363 MILES
Brake lights wont work even when I change them
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FREEMBA
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,152 POSTS
Remove the taillight assemblies.

Unplug the wire connector going to them and inspect both the connector and the tail light where the connector plugs in.

These ventures have, what the manufacturers call "circuit boards" that the bulb plugs in to.
The circuit boards often burn out at the connector and then you have no lights or lights on at all times or some other crazy problem (I have a Venture and have experienced this twice).

If the connectors are burned, replace the circuit boards and buy a wiring harness (pigtail) for the tail lights. You may find then at most auto parts stores, but even the dealer price isn't too bad. Rewire the tail light and then you're good (for a while).
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PHATE1606
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE
  • 110,000 MILES
I have a 2001 Chevy Venture 3.4, in which I can not get the brake lights to activate.
I have swapped the brake switch, the turn signal (combo) switch. The third brake light stays active when I turn on the turn signals, or the parking lights. With that in mind, I still get no brake lights, turn signals, or parking lights on either passenger or driver rear lights. Is there a short in the BCM or a short in the wiring? Any help would be greatful! Thank you.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,128 POSTS
That is a good one. Check for damaged or broken body grounds. Check for broken power supplies. Make sure there is power to the brake light switch.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PHATE1606
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
I have this van apart as we speak, I found a break in the wire under the kick panel of the Driver rear sliding door, fixed the wire. Found no fuses blown, I have an issue with both turn signal indicators steadily on (on dash), but when the brake is applied, they dim (on dash). All grounds were cleaned and re-installed. I have power to both brake switch and combo switch, but not sure on what the volts are supposed to be, I have 5V reference on the brake switch. You think a possible feedback?

I have also removed the brake switch to see if the condition still exists. And it still remained. That is when I determined the combo switch to be bad. So I am totally confused and out of answers.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHELLYBELLYMATT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 CHEVROLET VENTURE
Electrical problem 6 cyl All Wheel Drive Automatic 134000 miles

The upper brake light ( in the rear hatch) works, and the bulbs are all good. The running lights (same bulb as the stoplights) work, but no brake lights. Fuses are all good, bulbs are all good. What could this be? Since the hatch stoplght works, it can't be the switch under the pedal. What can I check next? I'm at a loss.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like a connection problem at both brake lights because if the center light works then the others should work as well because they are wired together. You may have a broken wire somewhere here is a guide to check for power and the brake light wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHELLYBELLYMATT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I found it! It was a broken wire in harness where it got rubbed through. Once I fixed it the problem is solved! Thanks for the brake light wiring diagram it really helped.

I love this site, all for free I cant believe it.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)

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