New member... 1996 Lumina Brakelights

I searched my query, but I didn't find a straight and direct answer... maybe I'm an idiot and searched incorrectly.

Anyhoo, I just bought a 1996 Lumina for next to nothing. Everything works, and I'm going to put tires on it and charge the A/C and drive the car as my daily (I have four motorcycles and a 91 Honda Civic EX autocross car for fun).

My problem is the brakelights... the highmount works, but the two lower lights work intermittenly. Actually, they work rarely. I replaced the bulbs (they worked for ten minutes), checked the fuse (didn't do anything), and changed the fuse (same as changiong the bulbs).

Is there an easy fix for this? I believe I read something about the turn signal switch. Could that be my problem? Should I try and re-work the flippers (I know... weird term. I'm an old-school Corvette guy at heart) to get the brakelights to work?

Thanks in advance to all.

Your turn signal switch is going bad... your third brake light being the only working one is a common symptom - your two lower brake lights are routed through your turn signal switch. Common GM problem. See the link below for a discussion of how to solve your woes:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=440237&highlight=turn+signal

Fantastic! Now, I have a better problem... what do I do about the airbag? Is there an easy way around that?

Airbags are a piece of cake. Disconnect the battery (that should be the first step with any electrical repair). Unplug the fuse, remove the bag via two torx bits on the back of the wheel, and disconnect; the only thing you have to keep in mind is once the steering wheel is off, DO NOT turn the shaft. Its WAY too easy to lose center for the SIR coil.

Just be smart about things and you won't have an airbag in your face.

A relay maybe? Or you may have a short somewhere.

Hrm... I'll see what I can come up with. I'll work on getting the airbag and steering wheel off and let you guys know.

Thanks for all of your help!

A relay maybe? Or you may have a short somewhere.


This is a common, well documented problem with GM multifunction switches, click on the link above.