2000 Montana Brake Lights

[ilfyrfytr]

I was just informed by my neighbor that my wife's brake lights are not working. The cruise control quit a couple of months ago. I did a search in this forum for this problem and found that the cruise and brake lights are dependent on one another. Checked and the bulbs are good. The Stop lamp is working, does that mean that the switch on the pedal could still be bad? Also, are my eyes deceiving me, for the life of me I can't find a fuse for the brake lights.

[sdlsweet]

I had a similar problem with my 2001 montanna, turns out it was a blown fuse for the cruise control. Might want to check it. good luck

[lowmachines]

I too had similar tail light problems. Pulled the tail lights from the body. Unplugged the electrical connector. Found that both the male and female ends of the electrical connector for the tail lights were burnt. Replaced the female ends with clean junkyard ends ($10) and replaced the bulb holder sockets (called circuit board) with aftermarket parts. $30 for pair.
After job was complete I broke open the circuit boards and found the connections of metal/wire extremely rusty. Probably the root cause. Hope this helps.

['97ventureowner]

Water gets into the boards causing the problems.After you repair the boards, use a little di-electric grease before you put the bulbs in to seal out any further water infiltration.

[ilfyrfytr]

All the other talilights are working, back-up, turn, and running lights. Am I to understand that both brake lights went out at the same time due to moisture in the connections. Stupid question time: they are not wired where if one fails they both fail are they? I'm not a complete failure when it comes to working on my vehicles, but I'm still sitting with the dunce cap on in the corner because I can't find a fuse for the brake lights, not in the fuse panel in the dash or under the hood.

[lowmachines]

Yes. The ground and the power are common on this system. That is why the short appears to affect the hazard lights, brake lights, traction control, BCM and the like. Check the tail light connections and the tail light circuit boards ( the bulb holder unit). Water affects it so it may go away for a while but return when wetness (rain, snow, car wash) appears.

[Judysvan]

('99 Montana). The factory connector is junk, placed in the wrong spot, and uses way too small of a bayonette lead for the juice flowing thru it all.

From previous similar problems / discussions the most thorough fix is to take each taillight assy off, disconnect the plug, remove the back. Then separate the plastic plate from the housing, being careful not to lose track of the metal leads coming from the assy plug. Figure out which chassis wire goes to which metal bar lead. Drill a hole in the lower part of the housing to allow new wire to go out.

Next, solder some nice sized wire (I used 16 gage) to each of the metal bar leads. Thread the wire thru the new hole and connect it to the correct chassis wire, taping it very securely. Continue until all are done. Before closing it all back up, test to make sure the correct lights are wired. Finally, tape the wires coming out of the assy together and jam them into the hole, creating a watertight seal with the tape bundle.

I did this a yr ago and no probs since. Not only did the turn signals, brake lites, and backup lites all work again, but also this got rid of the ABS and TCS lites on the dash.

Best to you in your fix.

[catesja]

Make sure the brake lights, including the high-mounted stop light, are operating properly. A problem with the brakes lights may affect the cruise control system. Look for a fuse labled STOP LAMP FUSE it should be a 15A fuse in the interior fuse panel. Some of the vans didn't have a fuse in this place, in this case, you will need to take your light circuit board/panel out and check for burn marks in the connector, or blackened bars inside the panel. It is uncommon for one light to affect the other, however, if there is a higher amount of power feed to one because the other failed in the panel, you will get the other to heat up pretty quick and burn it as well. Also the new tail light bulbs can not be checked by just looking at the filament. You need to actually replace the bulb to verify it isn't the bulb. One way to check this is to use one of the known good bulbs in the panel (you should have another 3057 bulb for the tail light or back-up light).

[Dave5]

Originally Posted by lowmachines

I too had similar tail light problems. Pulled the tail lights from the body. Unplugged the electrical connector. Found that both the male and female ends of the electrical connector for the tail lights were burnt. Replaced the female ends with clean junkyard ends ($10) and replaced the bulb holder sockets (called circuit board) with aftermarket parts. $30 for pair.
After job was complete I broke open the circuit boards and found the connections of metal/wire extremely rusty. Probably the root cause. Hope this helps.

I have this problem with my wife's Montana...socket for the brake light bulb looks melted. Could you tell me where you found the tail light circuit boards for $30 a pair? Thanks for any reply.

['97ventureowner]

eBay.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY...QQcmdZViewItem . And if you miss that auction, keep looking as they are listed all the time.

[Dave5]

Yep...those I've seen, $25 or so each plus $10 shipping...that's why I was wondering where he found a pair for $30.

['97ventureowner]

There are a number of vendors that sell those on eBay and their prices can differ a few dollars here and there trying to undercut the next guy in order to get you to buy from them. Shipping costs are a big variable when buying things on eBay.

[patrickivan]

Hi- new member here. I have a similar problem. My brake lights work (because the all come on when I lock the doors with my fob), but only the top lamp comes on when I depress the brake pedel.

I checked the wires in the housing, and I checked the fuses- so it has to be something around the brake pedel? Like I said, the lights do all come on with the fob. So I'm perplexed.

Also- just in case its relevant, my cruise control cuts out when I use the right turn signal.

Thanks