having an electrical problem here. on a 90 RS, the center brake light works, but the two tailight brake lights won't light up. I have replaced both bulbs so they're both good. The bulbs will light up with the headlights on for tailights at night, but won't function as brakelights in either setting. The center brake light works in both cases, which removed the thought of the brake light switch going bad. What else could cause running lights, but no stoplights out of the same bulbs since power is obviously going to them ?

 

Doesn't matter if the high brakelight works, the brakelight switch is still bad.


The switch has 2 sets of contacts....one for the regular brakelights and a seperate one for the high brakelight. Your problem is most likely corroded contacts in the switch, but wiring between the switch and the back of the car is also a possibility. If it comes down to wiring, I'm sure Trickster will stick a diagram up here for you. Bad or weak ground is pretty much eliminated, since the brake, tail, turn, and backup lights all use the same ground.

 

well the brake light switch is only 2 months old tops. that's why i figured on that being rule out right away. but stranger things have happened. i'll check the wiring to it tomorrow and possibly buy a new one then return it if it's not the reason i suppose.

 

As TheGreatJ has mentioned, there are two circuits in the brake switch. One for the regular brake lights and one for the center brake lights. If you need it I can put the schematic up for you. BTW, those are dual element bulbs that should be in there

 

correct i do have the dual element bulbs in there. 2057 if memory serves correctly. I will check the brake switch, possibly a connector may have popped off the switch. hopefully that will be it. thanks again.

 

I had the EXACT SAME PROBLEM a few months ago. Unfortunately, I changed out the switch. To my dismay, after becoming a contortionist, was that one of the tail lights was burnt out. I replaced the ONE bulb and all was perfect.

If your switch is only two months old, I'm sure it's probably still working correctly. Check those bulbs. Obviously, they're wired in a fashion like some xmas lights.. when one goes, they all go except for the 3rd.

Let me ask you this. During the day, do you hear a click coming from the switch area while at the same time the running lights come on.. ONLY when you press the brake? That's what mine was doing that first caught my attention. I was in a parking garage.. hit the brakes and saw my cluster lights come on. Thought it was the switch.. wasn't so. It was ONE bulb in back the whole time.

Try it.. it just may be one...

Chris

 

chris i'll give that a try. i've already replaced both of the brake bulbs in the back thinking that may be the problem. I also replaced the 194 bulbs on the outside of the tailights as they were burnt out as well. The reverse, license plate, and turn signal bulbs all work as well. So hopefully those bulbs weren't broken already.

 

just checked out the brake light switch and there was no loose connectors. Still no brake lights besides the center brake light. I looked at my service manual and saw that one connector is for the cruise control to shut off in the event of braking. The other connector goes to the brakes. Obviously there must be a loose wire somewhere, although it's strange that the running lights work since the same grouping of wires are basically going that way. Any schematics or other ideas on what i should be looking for ?

 

Hello xpndbl3,

There are two wires going to the main brake lights. One is a light blue one from the brake switch that goes through pin "B" of connector C206 located below the left rear speaker. The second wire is a brown one that goes from pin "E" of the light switch though pin "D" of connector C206 to the main brake lights. Your problem is undoubtably somewhere in that light blue wire. Just a thought. Here is a picture of the light blue wire going to the brake light.