Brake Lights Being Crazy

[rockavenger]

So I was just getting out of work, and it was cold and rainy. I flipped on my lights and things looked a little dark to me. It turns out that I had a headlight out. I really thought nothing of it and I continued to a friends house. I park my car and he (who was came outside as I was pulling up) told me that I had no brake lights either (I do have one, only the third one is working). So I bought some new bulbs for everything and some fuses (since I feared the worst). I replaced the front bulb and that works fine, I also tried replacing my brake lights but they don't seem to want to work. They come on when I turn on the lights but they never get brighter when I hit the brakes. I checked most of my fuses and couldn't find anything. Is this a wiring problem? I know that the bulbs work, they just don't get any brighter when I push the brake pedal. Thanks.

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by rockavenger

So I was just getting out of work, and it was cold and rainy. I flipped on my lights and things looked a little dark to me. It turns out that I had a headlight out. I really thought nothing of it and I continued to a friends house. I park my car and he (who was came outside as I was pulling up) told me that I had no brake lights either (I do have one, only the third one is working). So I bought some new bulbs for everything and some fuses (since I feared the worst). I replaced the front bulb and that works fine, I also tried replacing my brake lights but they don't seem to want to work. They come on when I turn on the lights but they never get brighter when I hit the brakes. I checked most of my fuses and couldn't find anything. Is this a wiring problem? I know that the bulbs work, they just don't get any brighter when I push the brake pedal. Thanks.

You sure you didn't install them backwards? That'll make the brake lights be on all the time w/lights on, with no difference when the brake is pushed. (see a lot of cars running around like that) Otherwise, you're looking for a broken ground or hot wire in the rear. Car been in a body shop? Lotsa times they do bodywork, and forget to plug harnesses in, connect grounds, etc.

[cadgear]

Could be a turn signal switch too. The blinkers work?

[Jonn]

Originally Posted by cadgear

Could be a turn signal switch too. The blinkers work?

brake light switch maybe?

[automan9482]

Depending on the year, GM recalled some Luminas for brake light failures.
I can't remember the website I saw this on, but if you look up recall info for your car on the 'Net, you might be able to find something.

[Manny_boy]

I agree with cadgear. That's a common symptom of a failing turn signal switch. Your third brake light is not routed through the switch, but your others are.

[rockavenger]

I'm looking into a new signal switch because at about the same time all of this started happening my turn signals started to act up too!

[jeffcw]

I had the same problem on my '98 Lumina, and I've read a ton of threads about this. My brake lights started flickering, then went out altogether.

If your lower brakes are out, but your flashers, hazards, and upper center brake light still work, your turn signal switch is worn out. I'm posting to let you know there's a cheaper solution than a new turn signal switch:

Being an electrical engineering college student, I knew there was an easy and inexpensive fix for this. I've designed a circuit which corrects the worn switch behavior.

Installation takes about 15 minutes - cut 3 wires (brake signal and turn signal wires) and insert them into the screw terminals on the circuit board. The board (about 1.5" x 2.5" x 0.75") rests near the base of the steering column, hidden by the panel.

If anyone else is interested in this fix, let me know. I'll sell a built and tested circuit board, along with installation instructions and pictures, for $30. Email me at jcward @ mines . edu (remove the spaces)

Cheers,
-Jeff

[jeffcw]

Update:

I've set up a website detailing my circuit board, installation instructions, and lots of other info. Check it out, at:

http://www.familyhomepage.net/lumina/brake_lights.htm

Note that this is my home server, so it may be a touch slow. Let me know if you have trouble with it.

Thanks,
-Jeff