Rear Brake Lights Not Working on 2000 Wrangler

[KNLBeach]

The brake lights on my 2000 Wrangler don't work. (Although the one in the middle over the spare tire does work). Put in new bulbs, fuses look OK; turn signals, tail lights working fine; fuses under hood look good. Installed new CD player last week, don't know if this related. Any thoughts?

[fredjacksonsan]

1st, did your brake lights quit immediately after the new stereo went in? Then re-trace your install.

If not, sounds like there's a short or other electrical failure going to the rear lights, so you'll have to trace the wires back.

[gohorns]

I have the same issue with my Wrangler. Did you ever get your issue resolved? If so, how did you get them to work again?

Thanks,

BOBBY

[gohorns]

Nope - they still don't work.

Reqired the radio top make all the ground wires secure. Any other ideas come to mind?

[fredjacksonsan]

Time to trace the wires from the rear lights, testing voltage as you go.

When you checked the fuses, did you pull them out?

[gohorns]

Yeah - I checked and removed the fuses as I went. Where would you suggest I begin looking at the integrity of the wires? Still not too sure how/when they quit. Thanks for the quick response!

[fredjacksonsan]

You'll need a friend to push the brake pedal, check @ the lights themselves, make sure the bulbs are in the sockets, not corroded, etc. Check wires where they attach to the rear light nacelle/container. Check all connections, make sure wires aren't frayed, etc.

Follow the wires forward, checking them as you go.

If you have a voltmeter, check periodically to see if there's voltage when the person pushes the brake. Eventually, you'll come to a place where you get voltage and/or find a loose/frayed/corroded connection or wire.

[KNLBeach]

Originally Posted by gohorns

Nope - they still don't work.

Reqired the radio top make all the ground wires secure. Any other ideas come to mind?

Are you sure the brake light switch (at the top of the pedal under the dash) is OK? Also, you might want to check any small side fender lights or running lights (if you have any) for secure connections. Do your hazard lights work?

[fredjacksonsan]

Damn....good point KNL, I was wrapped up in the corrosion thing and didn't think of the easy stuff first.

[gohorns]

I looked at the swith under the brake pedal. It seems to be fine. I looked at all the connections for the corrosion factor, none seems visible. I haven't looked to see if the hazards work. The tail lights work when the lights are on though. Is that what the light the hazards use? How do you get to the wiring behind the lights in the vehicle? Is there a union between the left and right lights that I could check? If so, do you have any idea where it may be?

Thanks again!!!!!

[fredjacksonsan]

The switch could look fine but not be fine. You could always put your meter on the output side of the brake switch, see if it works consistently. Should be a relatively cheap part if it doesn't.

Failing that Horns, you've got to trace the wires. They'll run out the back of the light, through the body, and around one side or the other to the front. There will be a point where the L and R side wires run together, and a few spots where there could be damage.

[gohorns]

Thanks fredjacksonsan,
Looks like the work has just begun. Too bad it is so cold in Michigan to complete the job without frostbite.

[fredjacksonsan]

Guess you'll have to wait for it to warm up to about 20* before you get started.

Or....what was the name of that guy that has the heated garage? Hmmm.....

[rdamon]

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

Guess you'll have to wait for it to warm up to about 20* before you get started.

Or....what was the name of that guy that has the heated garage? Hmmm.....

Check to see if you have the correct bulbs in the tail lamps, they should be a dual filament bulb