my brake lights on my 87 trans am wont work when pedal is pressed in. I've read that the brake lights run threw the turn signal switch/ stop hazard switch. I've replaced the brake switch, checked all tail light bulbs, replaced hazard relay and still nothing. so before i get back too the car I'm wondering is the bulb sockets are no longer grounded. the black wire from the bulb socket is the black wire and in just wondering where that wire leads too to see if they are still connected, any help would be appreciated guys.

 

Another Ohioan! Welcome to TGO.
Power for the brake lights should come from the brake switch, the turn signal switch/ stop hazard switch should power the turn and parking lights.
You didn't mention fuses, have you checked the TAIL fuse and the STOP HAZ fuse? Tail lights and fog lights work? Looking at the drawing if you trace the brown wire coming off of the head light switch, the tail lights, brake lights and fog lights share a common circuit from the TAIL fuse.
Check to see if you have 12 vdc at the brake light switch on the orange wire going into the brake switch, even if the STOP HAZ fuse is good you could have a bad connection at the plug for the brake switch.
Did your third brake light work prior to switching out the brake switch, does it work now?
Does your hazard lights work? The hazards and the brake lights share power coming from the STOP HAZ fuse, If both do not work then the issue maybe power coming out of the fuse panel at the STOP HAZ fuse.

AustinThirdGen.Org (archive.org)

 

hello thanks for the reply my fellow Ohioan, an yes i checked the tail fuse and it was good didn't think anything about the stop/haz fuse will check that next once i get back too the garage. As far as the fog lights i never tried them since i had the car just now got new bulbs for the yesterday so will be trying them soon, tail lights always worked when head lights where on. 3rd brake light never worked that i know of but what's worried is when i took it around the block yesterday and hit a couple bumps my buddy was behind me and he said the brake light came on but only on the passenger r side. so i will check the power at the orange wire going into the switch and see what i get thanks

 

And the hazards aren’t functioning either.