hey guys,

my brake lights don't work and i keep blowing the stop/haz fuse so i'm guessing my brake light switch is shot because i haven't replaced any bulbs and have done no wiring back there. the only thing i've done recently is put in a new radio. i took a look under the dash panel and i found what looks like 2 switches on my brake pedal. my question to you guys is: which is the one that controls the brake lights in the tail lights? is there a switch for the 3rd brake light and another for the main ones?

help me out here, it's been going on for 4 weeks already

-GTAman

 

That would be the first thing to check...one of them could be shorting out.
The switch is not a likely culprit, as the lights won't work at all when it goes bad.
One of the switches on the brake pedal arm is for the cruise control, the other activates the stoplights.

 

the one with 3 wires on it (if you have a 3rd brake light) is the brake switch.


center should see 12V, the other two get connected to center when the switch pops OUT (aka the brake goes down)

before you do that, CHANGE THE BULBS!


and when you change them, change all of them.... otherwise, one will be brighter then the other, and it'll look wierd.

 

i replaced all of the bulbs in both of my tail light lenses and still nothing. all i got is a small mound of blown fuses. i ordered a new brake light switch today and they said it'll be in tomorrow morning. after i finished replacing the bulbs and looking things over with no avail i sealed everything up and checked out the brake light switch. i pulled it out and the fuse blew again. i acctually heard it pop. i replaced the fuse with the switch out of it's bracket and it blew as soon as i put it in the fuse block. what does this sound like to you guys? i'm getting to the end of my rope here and i have no other ideas.

 

you have a short somewhere..


all i can say is to get a multimeter and start tracing it down. what you're looking for is the place where its going directly to ground.

 

:Update:

i got the switch today. i put it in and check it twice (pressed the brakes with engine on and off) and checked it again when i got to school and it still works. the only way i didn't test it is with the lights on. i hope this holds or else i'm gonna go :lala:

 

if it only blows when the lights are on, theres your problem.


you have a short in your light circuit.




i cant tell you were it is though... you need to trace it down.

hey, if you're in school, do they have a electronics class there? if you talk to the teacher, he might have a student that can track down the short for you.