Overcast32

ok, got a problem I haven't been able to trace down just yet - so thought I would post and see if anyone had any ideas off the top of their head.

Problem I'm having is with my 1988 Trans Am. No Brake lights, however; the turn signals and hazards work just fine. I pulled the Stop/Haz fuse just to check (although the hazard lights working was a good indicator the fuse was intact), and it's fine.

I replaced all of the blubs as well, even though I'm pretty sure the turn and brake lights use the same filament - there was one out anyway, so what the heck.

Finally, I have already replaced the brake light switch as well. I tried pushing the switch with it out of the holder down by the pedal too, to eliminate and 'adjustment' issues, as well.

I did a search on this forum and from what I read - the turn signals and brake lights pretty much use the same circuit - at least going back to the tail of the car, so I suspect all those wires are in good shape.

Unless it's something else I'm not aware of, I'm guessing it would almost have to be the wiring between the brake light switch and the hazard switch?

Anyone know of a good scematic for that wiring?

Thanks!

SDIF

Do you have power to the brake light switch?

Start there.

If so jump the switch.

If you have lights then check the switch

If not check the wiring from the switch back

Overcast32

ok, I was kinda thinking that too, just jumpering it - the swtich is new and should be good..... but... - and found the body wiring scematic for the '88 - it's just further down on that autozone list.

(Figured 38/39 - http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us...rInfoPages.htm )

SDIF

So what are you saying?

Overcast32

I was tired and rambling on that day I think

After process of elimination... I found that it seems to be getting power, so as far as I can tell, it's a short in the steering column or perhaps a problem with the hazard switch if the circuit runs through it.

The scematic didn't show a brown/grey pair that's connected to the brake light switch, so I'm not real sure what it's for - but as far as I can tell it runs up to the instrument cluster. In any event, I think I'll be pulling that steering wheel off and checking. Just thought I'd update the thread if anyone else happens upon it.

AT4 T/A

In my '84 T/A, I had the same thing happen. It ended up being the white plastic switch that's physically activated by the brake pedal. It was corroded inside the switch. You can get a new one relatively cheap, but I took the stock one apart. Once I'd cleaned the copper connectors the brake lights worked again.

Overcast32

Actually - that was the first thing I did practically. I knew the hazards/turns in the back were working mostly (some burnt out). So I knew the circuit was good going to the back and enough bulbs worked to eliminate just bulbs being burnt out.

So - for 8 bucks... I went ahead and just replaced the brake light switch on the pedal assembly. It was a LOT easier than that '92 Grand Prix I did a couple of years back too. This one was an absolute breeze. The Grand Prix was situated so that you had to drop the steering column to get the switch in and out.

I have a energized hot feed to the switch. I know the circuits good from the haz/turn back... really the only spot left is inside the column - or part of the turn switch is bad.

Honestly, the right turn signal doesn't 'feel' right and doesn't reset after a turn - so I know it's worn. I'll just replace that sucker while I'm in the column anyway. Anymore I have little tolerance on many electrical parts - if it's not too pricey, I'd rather just replace it anyway.