Brake light help

[bpalmer]

The brake lights in my 99 stopped working. I have checked the fuse and replaced the stop light switch. All of the other lights work. Any clues would be appreciated.

Thanks

[chuck's]

You mention that all other lights work.Therefore the turn signals in the rear work.If this so,then I suspect you may have a problem with the turn signal switch.
chuck's

[bpalmer]

Chuck,

Why do you say, "since the turn signals are working... it is probably the turn signal switch"? Are these things error prone? The turn signal switch is crammed behind the air-bag and requires the steering wheel to be removed. I would like to know why you think it is this switch. Like I said in my previous post, all of the other rear lights are working (turn and tail).

Thanks,

[Jeremy-WI]

There are usually 2 fuses that are part of the brake light system. Not sure about the new body style but on the old the brake fuse powered the third brake light and powered the stoplamp relay under the hood in the fuse/relay center and in the underhood fuse/relay center there is a stoplamps fuse that powered the rear brake lamps

[chuck's]

The reason I say that since the turn signals work,the curcuit in which the brake lites operate on is the same circuit the turn signals work on.The turn signal switch moves contacts within itself to allow the opposite lite to operate the brake lite when a turn signal is energized.What happens when the left turn signal is energized and the brake pedal depressed?And the oposite way?If this works,there is probably something wrong with the contacts in the signal switch when in the neutral position.If the brake lites don't work with any of the scenarios I described,then make sure that power is actually getting past the brake lite switch.I hope this helps you out.
chuck's

[bpalmer]

Thanks for all of your help guys. Chuck, after reading your last reply I decided I would ensure that I was getting power past the brake light switch. I wasn't. I traced back to the fuse box to find that the fuse I thought was for the brake lights was labeled 'brake'. There was another fuse labeled stop/hazzard that was infact blown. Thank God I wasn't able to easily get that airbag off, or I'd been pulling the multifunction switch for nothing.

BTW, anyone know how to get the airbag off of a 99? The Hanyes manual I have doesn't have the correct instructions with regards to releasing holders...

Thanks again and halalujah,

-Brian

[chuck's]

I'm glad that it was a simple fix for you.Checking the simple things can surely save alot of wasted effort.
chuck's

[rolfedl]

Where is this stop/hazard fuse?

[chuck's]

If I recall,the fuses are located in the power distribution centre under the hood and in the panel on the left side of the instrument panel.One fuse is a maxi-fuse and the other is a mini-ATO respectivly.
chuck's

[rolfedl]

Thanks for the help. The problem was two blown fuses.