Brake lights

1998 Lumina

Anyone have any pointers on what to check/replace when your Brake Lights arent comming on, i checked the fuses and none of them are labeled for the brake lights or if they are it has since faded off the cover. Brakes work fine, just not getting any lights comming on in the brake when depressed.

yes, if the 3rd brake light works in the back window, but the actual brake lights dont, the multifunction switch is usually the culprit in many gm vehicles.

Are you refering to the switch activated by the brake pedal?

Are you refering to the switch activated by the brake pedal?
No, the signal/multifunction switch in the steering column. BTW, welcome to AF.

thanks max! they are a royal PITA to replace, and even kinda costly for new.

thanks max! they are a royal PITA to replace, and even kinda costly for new.


meh, they're not so tough...:disappoin

yes, if the 3rd brake light works in the back window, but the actual brake lights dont, the multifunction switch is usually the culprit in many gm vehicles.

that is exactly what is happening, we'll replace the multifunction wand switch on the steering column, hopefully thatll fix it up.

thanks alot.

Before you start tearing apart the steering column (if it's not too late), perform a little more diagnosis and testing.

Determine if the center (CHSML) is operating.

- If not, check the switch at the brake pedal. Also check Fuse 10.

- If the center brake lamp is working, check to see if the hazard signals are working. The hazard warning lamp switch interrupts the brake light circuit to operate the lamps as a warning (just like the turn signal switch does).

- Operate the hazard flasher switch on and off about 20 times to help wipe clean the normally closed contacts used by the brake light circuit. I've had several of these go "bad" and ended up being resurrected by operating the hazard switch rapidly on and off to reestablish adequate connections for the brake lamp circuit.

If the hazard flashers and turn signals work properly on all corners, the lamps and their connections are intact, and the problem is either the brake switch or multifunction switch, or their connections.

Replacing a switch unnecessarily would be really discouraging.