2000 Blazer short in the stop light system, help :(

About a year ago I had a short in the brake lights. The ones on the sides quit working, but the high-mount light still works. I checked the lamps, the fuse under the hood, and changed the brake light switch under the pedal with no results.

I took it to Firestone and they fixed it in about an hour for around 45 bucks.

It's happened again. I took it back to Firestone and this time they took almost 3 hours to tell me that the brake lights are going through my turn signal switch, or Multi-function switch. They wanted to change it for 475 bucks and "go from there". I declined that, thinking that if it was going thru the turn signal switch, why was the high-mount still working?

Does anyone know if there's any fusible links or anything else I can check? I'm taking it in the morning to another shop for a second opinion, but I welcome any suggestions.

edit: found it, I did a little digging and found the recall: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/results.cfm?SearchType=QuickSearch&rcl_ID=01V364000&summary=true
Sorry to bother...

About a year ago I had a short in the brake lights. The ones on the sides quit working, but the high-mount light still works. I checked the lamps, the fuse under the hood, and changed the brake light switch under the pedal with no results.

I took it to Firestone and they fixed it in about an hour for around 45 bucks.

It's happened again. I took it back to Firestone and this time they took almost 3 hours to tell me that the brake lights are going through my turn signal switch, or Multi-function switch. They wanted to change it for 475 bucks and "go from there". I declined that, thinking that if it was going thru the turn signal switch, why was the high-mount still working?

Does anyone know if there's any fusible links or anything else I can check? I'm taking it in the morning to another shop for a second opinion, but I welcome any suggestions.

edit: found it, I did a little digging and found the recall: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/results.cfm?SearchType=QuickSearch&rcl_ID=01V364000&summary=true
Sorry to bother...

3hrs is a lot of testing:grinyes:
How many hrs did they charge you for?

No fuse links but several fuses.
Brake light fuse.
And also I think that each turn signal/brake light on rear are fused.

Is the turn signals working good?

Is brake light signal going into and out of multi function switch to rear signals and brake lights?

The center high mount brake light feeds straight from brake light switch.
If it is working good the brake light switch is good.

The brake light signal from brake light switch goes threw the multi switch and splits or switches with the rear turn signals lights.

On the recall call your dealer with vin no and have the check to see if the recall applies to your truck.

You got it - the brake ligts are the same circuit as the hazards/flashers and the center top light is separate, as well as the turn signal circuit. For my 01 Blazer took the dealer 15 min to pull the red button out with pliers and replace it and they clean up the grease mess - free. You may have paid for nothing needed and happens as usually only the GM dealer checks recalls or other bulletins. You were educated and that lasts a lifetime! As MT said call dealer with your VIN and even if not on the recall could be the problem and they can fix it quickly as they have that specific part. We all get caught at some point.

Thanks for the replies, guys :)

They didn't charge me to do any diagnosis.

I've got my VIN and gonna call the dealer when they open in 10 mins.

edit: my VIN was showing a recall, I have an appointment Monday morning.

Thanks for the help :)