Brake Light Problem

alabamatx · 05-12-2009, 09:19 PM

I'm trying to solve a bit of a mystery about a brake light problem on my '98 GS.
The right rear brake light won't come on when the brake is applied. The bulb & socket are OK, so I tried a shortcut by using a jumper from the left light.
That fixed the brake light issue, but then when the brake was applied while using the right turn signal, the turn signal would freeze on and not flash.
Furthermore, the applying the right turn signal would cancel the cruise control.
I removed the jumper and the right flasher & cruise control are back to normal but no right rear brake light.
Can anyone suggest a way to troubleshoot the brake light problem?

BNaylor · 05-13-2009, 10:26 PM

What ever fix you are applying is affecting the turn signal flasher. Based on your symptoms it sounds like a bad multifunction and hazard switch (stalk) problem or even the ignition switch.

alabamatx · 05-14-2009, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the response BNaylor.
When I tried the jumper wire and it affected the cruise & flasher, I started to suspect the multifunction switch, but since it works fine so long as I just don't have a right side brake light, I have to believe the brake light problem is something else (hopefully).
The multifunction switch is fairly new. The original crapped out a year or so ago.
I can't quite figure out how the brake lights are activated. There must be a switch or sensor somewhere. Does the multifunction switch control the brake light? Do the three brake lights get power from a common source? Since two work and the other one doesn't, could it be a bad harness connector to that light?

stripe · 05-14-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabamatx

Thanks for the response BNaylor.
When I tried the jumper wire and it affected the cruise & flasher, I started to suspect the multifunction switch, but since it works fine so long as I just don't have a right side brake light, I have to believe the brake light problem is something else (hopefully).
The multifunction switch is fairly new. The original crapped out a year or so ago.
I can't quite figure out how the brake lights are activated. There must be a switch or sensor somewhere. Does the multifunction switch control the brake light? Do the three brake lights get power from a common source? Since two work and the other one doesn't, could it be a bad harness connector to that light?

I re-wired mine off the center brake-light.

In the end it was the switch and the connector in the turn signal.

Cheers
Stripe

BNaylor · 05-15-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabamatx

I can't quite figure out how the brake lights are activated. There must be a switch or sensor somewhere. Does the multifunction switch control the brake light? Do the three brake lights get power from a common source? Since two work and the other one doesn't, could it be a bad harness connector to that light?

It might help to reference wiring diagrams like out of the factory service manual. The regular brake lamp circuits pass through the multifunction switch via the hazard switch portion. The third brake light does not.

michtom · 05-15-2009, 06:53 PM

Your suspicions are more than likely right. Sounds like the multifunction switch is bad again.

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