cruise and brake lights quit working

[montana03]

cruise stopped working and then a few weeks later some guy let me know that my brake lights were out. Checked the fuses - not the problem. Someone said it may be a switch, huh? Has anyone else had this problem and any ideas on how what's wrong. Thanks!

[Glen_T]

Probably the brake light switch at the pedal. Look under the dash just below the brake pedal pivot point and make sure the connector is still on the switch. If you know how, check the switch with a volt/ohmmeter.

The cruise control is deactivated when the brake pedal is pushed. The brake lights activate when the brake pedal is pushed. I'm not sure on the Montanas, but many cars use the same switch to communicate to both the cruise and the brake lights. On other cars, the cruise won't work if the brake lights are not working. I seem to recall that the brake light assembly on Montanas have had some issues where the circuit board either melts or has problems.

Other posters may have more specifics....good luck...Glen

[montana03]

Thanks, I'll try to check that out.

[gls02]

Just have to ask, did you check the bulbs? If the brake bulbs are burned out this will affect the cruise control.

[cdru]

Originally Posted by gls02

If the brake bulbs are burned out this will affect the cruise control.

Seriously? I can't imagine what the engineer was thinking if that really is the case.

[gls02]

I would guess that the engineers wired the cruise control and brake lights together so that a person would be alerted to the fact that their brake light bulb is burned out. Now, if you don't know this and they don't tell you, it can cause headaches for the owner trying to figure out what's the problem could be.

[shogunl]

Could it be the same engineers who designed this wonderful leaky manifold gasket?

[gls02]

Don't for get the easy to replace back 3 sparkplugs or air filter!!

[shogunl]

I would take 3 back plugs over intake mainfold gasket anyday !!!!!

[cdru]

Originally Posted by gls02

Don't for get the easy to replace back 3 sparkplugs or air filter!!

Air filter? It's two clips, a hose clamp and two electrical connectors. If you really take your time it might take 5 minutes to pop off and pop back on. Yeah it may not be as easy to remove as the old donut shaped air filters on top of the carb when there was just a single wing nut, but it's not that bad. You do have a point with the rear spark plugs, but are other minivans that much better? I remember my parents older Astro that you had to take apart the front console and remove the engine cover to do it's spark plugs.

[gls02]

Two clips, hose clamp and a couple of electrical connectors! I ripped my flexilble rubber hose trying to get it loose! Why go through that hassle when they could have designed a slot in the top edge to remove the edge and slide another filter in? As far as other minivans with spark plugs replacement being difficult, that's the point! Why have the cowl/inside dash extend so far forward? I would be willing to give up five inches of dash/windshield to be able to see what the backside of the engine looks like.

Stuff it in and don't worry, we won't have to work on these vehicles. This seems to be the attitude of today's design engineers!!

[montana03]

Thanks. I checked the fuses and lights first. I have checked the switches under the brake pedal and they "look" ok to me. Don't have a clue now. Guess I'll have to take it to the dealer$$$$. Appreciate your comments.

[gls02]

I don't know how you can "look" at the switches by the brake pedal and tell if they are "ok". You should use a meter to see if they are working or not.

Let us know what the dealer finds out so the rest of can learn the reason for the failure.

Good Luck.

[montana03]

I couldn't get the connectors unplugged and didn't have time. I will let you know what was wrong. Thanks for steering me in the right direction.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by gls02

I would guess that the engineers wired the cruise control and brake lights together so that a person would be alerted to the fact that their brake light bulb is burned out. Now, if you don't know this and they don't tell you, it can cause headaches for the owner trying to figure out what's the problem could be.

In a strange way that makes sense. Some vehicles' dash lights won't work if the taillights are out. You're right, they should tell you about these "safety features" so we would know what to expect. Who knows what other things they did to vehicles to "alert" us that something else is not working?