No Brake Lights

JoeyBoy · #1 01-30-2005, 08:38 PM

On my 1996 Contour, only the 3rd brake light works (on the back dash). All fuses are good and I have checked the wires and none seem to be cut, tore, etc... I did put a c.d. player, 2 amps, a capacitor, and 4 subs in it, but I didn't cut any wires. I had a couple of people look at it to no avail. I looked at the brake pedal, and there are actually 2 switches on the brake pedal and 1 on the clutch. Is it possible that the car has 2 brake light switches? Please help, I'm all out of ideas. Oh yeah, one of the switches has two wires, this one controls the 3rd brake light. The other one has 6 or 8 wires.

ponchonutty · #2 01-31-2005, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyBoy

On my 1996 Contour, only the 3rd brake light works (on the back dash). All fuses are good and I have checked the wires and none seem to be cut, tore, etc... I did put a c.d. player, 2 amps, a capacitor, and 4 subs in it, but I didn't cut any wires. I had a couple of people look at it to no avail. I looked at the brake pedal, and there are actually 2 switches on the brake pedal and 1 on the clutch. Is it possible that the car has 2 brake light switches? Please help, I'm all out of ideas. Oh yeah, one of the switches has two wires, this one controls the 3rd brake light. The other one has 6 or 8 wires.

No, one switch is for the cruise control. Anyway, check the grounds for the rear of the car. I'd bet they're loose.

JoeyBoy · #3 01-31-2005, 10:52 AM

I went out and found a little black box in the trunk with a bunch of ground wires in it. I took the top off and it is all in good shape. I then followed the larger grounds to where they are screwed into the car and they are all good. I have owned this car for a whopping 3 days and have had a headache ever since, but maybe that's from the 2000 watts pumping from the trunk! Anyhow, I'm gonna go try to figure this mess out somehow. Any other suggestions? Anyone?

chancereid · #4 01-31-2005, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyBoy

I went out and found a little black box in the trunk with a bunch of ground wires in it. I took the top off and it is all in good shape. I then followed the larger grounds to where they are screwed into the car and they are all good. I have owned this car for a whopping 3 days and have had a headache ever since, but maybe that's from the 2000 watts pumping from the trunk! Anyhow, I'm gonna go try to figure this mess out somehow. Any other suggestions? Anyone?

I hate to say this for it may seem I am stating the obvious, but have you tried replacing the light bulbs??? I had the same problem with my license plate lights, it turns out that the vacuum seal between the metal and the glass had been compromised.

Just an idea!

JoeyBoy · #5 02-01-2005, 12:12 AM

The bulbs were replaced. I have given it more thought and my little brother pulled the carpet up without removing the trim. The wires for the brake lights run along the trim. I'm thinking maybe he pulled a wire loose under there. The weather is too rainy and cold right now, or I would rip the interior out again and check there.

jspence35 · #6 02-01-2005, 07:54 PM

brake lamp wiring goes thrucombination switch; cycle hazard switch to make sure it is completely off; check B+ at combo switch from brake lamp switch next

JoeyBoy · #7 02-01-2005, 07:57 PM

The hazards work and the brake switch is good, I'm pulling the seats and carpet out in the morning and testing the wires from the switch to the bulbs, surely I will find the problem. It is obviously a loose wire.

jspence35 · #8 02-01-2005, 08:04 PM

there are two wires that would have to be broken/loose since each brakelamp bulb/turn signal bulb operate independently; wiring diagram shows only one connector under Lh dash area from combo switch to bulbs

JoeyBoy · #9 02-01-2005, 08:08 PM

Then why would I be getting power to the upper brake light and not the other two? I must atleast have power to the trunk, right?That is what is so confusing, and my Chilton's Manuaul doesn't show the lower brake lights. It shows it on the other cars in the book, but not my year model. It does say taillamp, and turn, but not brake.

JoeyBoy · #10 02-01-2005, 08:11 PM

In my car, there are 3 wires to each back bulb. 1 black, 1 blue, and 1 orange, the orange one controls the brake light and tail light and the blue one is the turn signal. The black is ground and I have teatsed at the bulbs and I am not getting juice to the brake lights. But the taillights work and they are using the same element in the bulb. I am so confused.

jspence35 · #11 02-01-2005, 08:37 PM

black wire= ground
blue/white (LH)=turn/stop bulb
orange/white= park lamp

JoeyBoy · #12 02-01-2005, 08:42 PM

So why cant I jump a wire from the upper brake light to the others. Do you think the wires are the same on a 1998? The diagram for my car is not complete in the book, but it is for the 1998.

jspence35 · #13 02-01-2005, 08:46 PM

then you will have no rear turn signals since the bulbs will only work with the brake switch depressed

JoeyBoy · #14 02-01-2005, 08:47 PM

where is this combination switch at that im seeing in the manual?

jspence35 · #15 02-01-2005, 10:21 PM

turn signal switch on steering column

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