Brake lights aren't working changed fuses and bulbs could it be the turn signal light switch?

That happened in my 1999 Buicke Century. Replaced the bulb 4 times kept burning out all within a week. Finally replaced the blinker socket and no more issues.

Sounds as if the bulbs are bad, but could also be a failed multi-purpose switch.

Well the brake light and turn signal circuits are on two different fuses, but they both go thru the turn signal switch.
So I would start by checking for power in and out of the turn signal switch for each circuit.

I might be a switch regulator on your steering colum.

A mechanic would check for power at the headlight switch and turn signal switch then go from there.
Might be a fuseable link in the engine compartment.

Aren't your brake lights and turn signal lights on the same bulb, same filament? Recheck the bulb in the rear, as the rapid blinking is an indication of a burnt out bulb. If the bulb is the correct one and is good, check the connector and socket at the housing for a loose or poor connection.

Have yoiu changed/checled the lightbulbs? (In other words,do your turn signal lights work? If the front turn signal lights work, but the rear don't, then turn on your four (4) way flashers. If the rear lights still don't work, then all the bulbs are bad. It is rare for all the bulbs to be burnt out at the same time, but it does happen.

If the turn signal/four way flasher lights work, then you probably have a bad brake light switch. However, first check your owner's manual to make certain there is not a separate fuse for these lights. If there is, then swap the fuse for the brake lights for another fuse (or relay) of the same size/amperage. (Facing the hood, the power relay box is located on the right side (usually) under the hood.)

The fuse box is located under the dash, on the driver's side of the car. Usually there is a plastic cover that has to be removed to access the underside of the dash, and then there is a plastic cover that has to be removed to access the fuse box. If you don't have an owner's manual, nprmally the fuses and power relays are normally marked on the plastic covers your remove ot access the fuses and power relays.

If the fuses/relays are good, then you have a bad brake light switch. This is located on a bracket just above the brake pedal. When you push the pedal down, the switch makes contact. Disconnect the plug to the switch, and jump across the plug contacts (not the switch) with a small piece of wire, or if a piece of insulated wire is unavailable, you can use a paperclip, you won't get schocked, just make certain that the paperclip does not come in contact with a ground while you have it plugged in to the plug for the brake light switch.

If the lights stil dont work, check for power to the plug for the brake light switch. If you have power to the plug, the turn signals and four-way flashers work, then my guess would be that you have a broken power wire (probably iside the steering column, or a bad turn signal switch. If the brake lights work whe nyou jump out the brake light switch, then the brake light switch is defective.

Hi, your van does not use the signal filaments for the brake lights. You must have a wiring issue. Check for power at the brake light switch. If you have power there, the wire is broke from the switch to the S304 junction. If there is no power to the switch, the wire is broken between the fuse box and the switch. Please let me know if you have more questions, and thanks for using FixYa.

Hi, the likely problem is the turn signal switch. The signals and brake lights use different fuses. You can get an owners manual here:
http://www.extendedgmwarranty.com/owners-manual/chevrolet/1996-Chevrolet-Cavalier.pdf

A new switch is about $40, and it isn't too hard to replace. Make sure you get one that has the same controls as yours does. To replace the switch, remove the covers from the steering column, disconnect the switch and unscrew it from the column.

Please let me know if you have questions, and thanks for using FixYa.

The brake lights as well as all the others run threw the turn signal switch . replace this and it will solve your problem.