1998 Caravan Brake Light Switch...

Hi - a noobie here needing some Caravan help.

I have a 98 Caravan, obviously, and I am having a problem. My brake lights don't get brighter when I push the brake pedal down, so I assume I need to replace or at least check, the Brake Light Switch...

Herein lies my problem - what does this thing look like? Does anyone have a diagram or something that will show me where this is or any instructions on how to do this?

Or could this be another problem altogether?

Please help me out with some instructions you might give someones retarded grandmother!

Thanks,

HTB

Hi - a noobie here needing some Caravan help.

I have a 98 Caravan, obviously, and I am having a problem. My brake lights don't get brighter when I push the brake pedal down, so I assume I need to replace or at least check, the Brake Light Switch...

Herein lies my problem - what does this thing look like? Does anyone have a diagram or something that will show me where this is or any instructions on how to do this?

Or could this be another problem altogether?

Please help me out with some instructions you might give someones retarded grandmother!

Thanks,

HTB

You might want to check the bulbs first. If thats not the problem you could pick up a Haynes manual for the year and make of your van from your local auto parts store it should have all the information you need. You also might want to check your fuse for your brake lights.

The brake light switch is on a bracket near the top of the brake pedal.
Mt

I know it's not the bulbs as I replaced the dual-filiment bulbs with new dual-filiment bulbs and the lights still didn't get any brighter...

So which fuse would then control the brake lights getting brighter when the pedal is pushed?

And what does the Brake Light Switch look like? I see a lot of stuff underneath there and think I might know, but if anyone has a picture or a link to a picture that would be stellar.

Thanks again for the super fast responses -

HTB

I know it's not the bulbs as I replaced the dual-filiment bulbs with new dual-filiment bulbs and the lights still didn't get any brighter...

So which fuse would then control the brake lights getting brighter when the pedal is pushed?

And what does the Brake Light Switch look like? I see a lot of stuff underneath there and think I might know, but if anyone has a picture or a link to a picture that would be stellar.

Thanks again for the super fast responses -
HTB

The brake light switch is attached to a bracket near the brake pedal arm under the dash by the steering column. It has a small plunger that comes out when you step on the brake pedal. You should be able to rotate it. It has a plug attached to it for the lights and cruise control.
I don't know how to upload photos to these forums.

http://www.rockauto.com/ref/ACDelco/Detail.html?C883.jpg

This should be a similar picture of your switch. It should be up under the dash at or near the pivot point for the brake pedal arm. Have someone watch the brake lights while you press the plunger on the switch and see if they work if so, if they do the distance between the switch plunger and brake arm need to be adjusted.
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There may also be a fuse for the brake lights, but I am not sure where the fuse box would be for your year vehicle.

Another clue you brake switch is bad is if you can't put it in cruise control and/or if you are in cruise control, tapping your brake doesn't take it out of cruise