I just created an account on this site, but I've been using it for over a year now to help in diagnosing issues on a 1992 Camaro I own. After looking at countless brake light threads to no avail, I finally decided to create my own post. I just recently bought a 1986 T/A and the brake lights weren't working. Parking lights worked fine. Turn signals worked. Hazard lights worked. But when I pressed the brake pedal, the lights wouldn't turn on. I replaced the stop light, but they still weren't working. I checked for continuity all the way to the back and it all checks out. My uncle was helping me out with this issue, and happened to remove a blown fuse. We had the stoplight switch just dangling and just when i sat in the car to go buy a new fuse, the brake lights were on!! The third light was not working, but I figured it might just be the bulb. After reinstalling all my interior parts and starting up the car to take it for a drive, I noticed the brake light stopped working, but the third light is working just fine! I'm completely stumped. The only thing I can think of is replacing that blown fuse, but if removing the fuse made my brake lights work in the fist place, how could replacing the fuse fix them? Man, I hate electrical issues. I would really appreciate it if someone could help me out, and apologies in advance if I posted this in the wrong place, I was having trouble figuring out where to post this.

 

If the brake pedal switch was dangling, then the brake lights would be ON, assuming no blown fuses.
Removing a fuse will not make your brake lights work.
Sounds like you have a short in the brake light circuit somewhere.

 

Thanks for the help! Sorry for the delayed reply. I've managed to narrow down the issue somewhat. It seems as though the connection from the stoplight switch to... Well I'm not sure where... Is the issue. I had the brake light switch dangling, so that my brake lights should be ON. Whenever I tug or move around the wires for the brake lights coming out of the switch, my brake lights sort of flicker, or turn on or off randomly. Some connection is clearly loose. My question is, where do the brake light wires connect to once they leave the brake light switch. Also, how would I access this connection.

 

I think it is probably the brake light switch itself. Start there.

 

Pull the connector of the brake light switch that should be on the brake pedal. Apply + 12V to the blue wire and see if it turns on and off reliably and can stay on. If so then replace the switch, they are very inexpensive.

 

This Info is for your 86 TA.
Question"where do the brake light wires connect to once they leave the brake light switch. Also, how would I access this connection.





This is where the common ground is located