Thanks so much for this great site. My driver's side rear brake light assembly completely goes out when I press the brake pedal when I have the lights on. Reverse, turn signal, and parking lights all go dim and brake light doesn't come on. Friend thought it was the multi-function switch, but hoping it's not because it's a costly fix.
TURN SIGNALS WILL FEED BACK THROUGH THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH.THEY ARE INDEPENDENT OUT SIDE ON THE CAR BUT NOT IN THE SIGNAL SWITCH.REPLACE THE SIGNAL SWITCH
sounds like a switch problem in the steering colum, could be a bad switch could be a loose connection. my advice would be to purchase a auto repair manual for you vehicle for detailed instruction on testing and/or replacing the switch.
ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON YOU HAVE BRAKE FAILURE.NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.YOU HAVE LEAKING BRAKE LINE OR LEAKING BRAKE CALIPER OR WHEEL CYLINDERS.THE MASTERCYLINDER OR ABS UNIT FAILED.DONT DRIVE VECHICLE NOT SAFE.
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Brake light bulbs are illuminated within the rear combination light assemblies whenever the brake pedal is pressed. This happens because of the brake light switch (also known as the stop lamp switch) located above the brake pedal. Pressing the the brake pedal closes the internal contacts of the brake light switch which transfers power from the battery to the combination light assembly. For example, in a '94 Geo Tracker the STOP/HORN fuse (15A) supplies power to the brake switch via a green wire and then to the combination light assemblies via a green/white white wire whenever the brake switch contacts close. These are the only two wires for the brake switch. The combination light assemblies on the other hand have four wires; brake light input (green/white wire), tail light input (red/blue wire), turn signal input (green wire) and ground (black wire). If all of the brake lights are inoperative, chances are the brake switch has failed or the power-supply fuse has blown. This is because it is highly unlikely for all brake light bulbs to fail simultaneously (although not impossible). You can read more here: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-brake-light-switch
Did you check STOP LP fuse 15amp. in the rear fuse block ? Do you know where this is.
Fuse Block - Rear Under the rear seat, on the left side of the floor pan.
The STOP LP fuse in the fuse block - rear supplies battery positive voltage to the normally open stop lamp switch. When the driver presses the brake pedal, the switch contacts close. The battery positive voltage flows to the left stop lamp assemblies, to the right stop lamp assemblies and to the center high mounted stop lamp (CHMSL). The left stop lamp and the CHMSL have ground at G402. The right stop lamp has ground at G401.
Did you check for power at the stop lamp switch ? both in an out of the switch with brake pedal pressed ?
Did
Sounds like you have 'ground' issues. Apply the brakes using a broom stick or more apropriate tool so that the brake lights are activated. Then go to the brake light that is not bright enough. using a test-light with a sharp pointed probe, poke the ground wire close to the bulb (usually a black wire) make sure the test light is attached to a grounded bolt. if the brake light gets brighter with ground added, you need a new ground wire. Splice it in to the existing wire & attach it to a bolt. Lights should work better with proper ground. (each bulb has a positive post & neg. post, don't add ground to the side with power coming through it from Battery (+)(red light on test light) - probe wires FIRST with test light to find (+) POS. Hot wire, and leave that one alone.
Check & replace if necessary the brake pedal switch placed above pedals on the support.
The brake pedal switch on a 2001 VW Beetle is placed above pedals on the support.
1. Remove the cover panel above the driver's side foot well...
2. Locate old switch, push in brake pedal, and twist switch body to remove... 3. Unplug 4 pin connector from old switch and plug into new switch (it only goes one way...don't force it!). Insert new switch into frame and depress brake petal. You should turn it until it locks into place and is positioned like the original. 4. Start Bug. Press the brake pedal once or twice and the EPC light should go out ...
5. If it looks like that... great! Replace the cover over the foot well and you are done! If not, check the 4 pin connection and make sure it is fully seated in the switch. Also check to see if you can hear the switch engage when you press the brake pedal ... if not, you will need to remove the switch and adjust the push rod. The rod will move in and out for adjustment. Check to see if the brake lights come on when you press the brake pedal as well!
The brake pedal switch on 1999 VW Beetle is placed above pedals on the support.
1. Remove the cover panel above the driver's side foot well...
2. Locate old switch, push in brake pedal, and twist switch body to remove...
3. Unplug 4 pin connector from old switch and plug into new switch (it only goes one way...don't force it!). Insert new switch into frame and depress brake petal. You should turn it until it locks into place and is positioned like the original.
4. Start Bug. Press the brake pedal once or twice and the EPC light should go out ...
5. If it looks like that... great! Replace the cover over the foot well and you are done! If not, check the 4 pin connection and make sure it is fully seated in the switch. Also check to see if you can hear the switch engage when you press the brake pedal ... if not, you will need to remove the switch and adjust the push rod. The rod will move in and out for adjustment. Check to see if the brake lights come on when you press the brake pedal as well!
you must have your wires cross ,have another person press on the brakes .and put car in reverse to determine which wire is which, remember that the reverse goes on the clear part of fixture
The problem is that the tail lights, light bulbs get too hot and melt the plastic where the bulb socket goes into the lens assembly. On the lens assembly you will see one to three metal tabs where the socket fits into. Lift up the tab a little bit with a screw driver and place a small amount of either metal or plastic underneath the tab so it will get a good connection. It will fix the problem.
Hello, I would first check your fuses to your lights first. Then I would press on the brake and have some one check and see if the brake lights come on. If not it is a possible brake light switch and this will probaly need to be replaced. I would check for loose connections on this and check the connections to your back lights as well. The brake light switch is connected to the top of your brake pedal assembly. If these are not the problems it is a possible short in your tailight assembly. I hope this solves your problem for you!
I had the same problem. They were on when the headlights were on, but turned off instead of brightening when I pressed the brake. I replaced the bulb and now it gets bright when I press the brake instead of turning off (like it should).
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