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Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: Maverick on August 09, 2011, 05:24:53 PM

Title: brake light problems
Post by: Maverick on August 09, 2011, 05:24:53 PM: My brake lights on my 2000 Chevy quit workin. My buddy tried running a ground wire from his boat trailer to my frame and this happened. The 3rd light still works. The turn signals, back up lights and hazards all still work fine. Check all the fuses and they are all fine. Anyone got any idea what the heck happened and how to fix it? Thanks guys
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: TONTO on August 09, 2011, 05:35:28 PM: Well if you have flashers and signals, it's not the bulbs, I would say it sounds like brake light switch, oh wait you said the third light works, does this work when the pedal is pressed.
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: Rhinoron247 on August 09, 2011, 05:45:56 PM: You missed a fuse. I have had the exact problem on my 02 and it was a fuse I over looked.
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: timberghost72 on August 09, 2011, 07:31:49 PM: Fuse

And the wiring on the trailer sound like it is incorrect if it was plugged into the truck when you ran the ground wire to the truck frame. What kind of plug? Flat 4? Or he grounded the wrong wire.
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: Maverick on August 09, 2011, 07:51:38 PM: Where's the brake switch? I look over the fuses over and over and they're all fine. I even check ones that didnt have anything to do with my brakes.
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: flinger on August 09, 2011, 07:54:45 PM: change the bulbs
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: timberghost72 on August 09, 2011, 07:55:15 PM: on your brake pedal above the foot pad. Probably has 3 or 4 wires on it. Did you check the under hood fuse box along with under the dash fuse box? Not gonna be the switch though.
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: ICEMAN on August 09, 2011, 07:57:32 PM: Did you check to see if your brake light element in both bulbs are toast? :chuckle:
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: high country on August 09, 2011, 08:24:55 PM: Pull the wiring plugs that are behind the trailer plug and under the bumper, spray them out with contact cleaner. I have seen this before.
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: flinger on August 09, 2011, 09:14:54 PM: Quote from: ICEMAN on August 09, 2011, 07:57:32 PM
Did you check to see if your brake light element in both bulbs are toast? :chuckle:
:tup: :yeah:
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: farmin4u_98948 on August 09, 2011, 09:16:42 PM: Quote from: Rhinoron247 on August 09, 2011, 05:45:56 PM
You missed a fuse. I have had the exact problem on my 02 and it was a fuse I over looked.

Did the same thing on my 01. FUSE..
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: Kowsrule30 on August 09, 2011, 09:22:15 PM: Same thing on my Dad's 03.... Fuse.... And a shotty ground.....
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: timberghost72 on August 09, 2011, 09:33:01 PM: Quote from: flinger on August 09, 2011, 09:14:54 PM
Quote from: ICEMAN on August 09, 2011, 07:57:32 PM
Did you check to see if your brake light element in both bulbs are toast? :chuckle:
:tup: :yeah:

The OP said the turn and hazzard lights work ok. Assuming that they are not rapidly flashing or on steadily then the bulbs would be ok. The turn signal part of the bulb uses the same element as the brake light element.
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: flinger on August 09, 2011, 09:46:32 PM: Process of elimination
Check/replace bulbs
Check (with tester/Replace fuses
starting from sockets check all connectors with test light
If they blew when a wire was touched/Bulb or fuse
That is how they are designed
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: lokidog on August 09, 2011, 09:54:48 PM: Definitely check that under HOOD box. Lots of little ones hiding in there.

BTW, if you ever get the 4WD to 2WD switches not working, be sure to check the underhood fuses as well. Had a shop want to install a new switch so I did a google search and someone suggested a fuse under there, which was the case.

Good luck.
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: CamoDup on August 09, 2011, 10:15:37 PM: did you check the light fluid? :dunno: :chuckle:
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: Maverick on August 09, 2011, 10:20:31 PM: I should have mentioned they are leds... I checked both under the hood and under the dash fuses. I'm working all night tonight and ill try the contact cleaner tomorrow.
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: christopheri on August 09, 2011, 11:07:10 PM: Does your brake light assembly have a circut board on it? I had an 03 silverado that had the same problem. It turned out to be the circut board (tail light) Assembly's. I think they were about 20 bucks apeice.
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: twistiron on August 10, 2011, 04:16:15 AM: quick question do the flashers work on the trailer? i doubt your LED's are bad, have you checked the fuses on the side of your dash i think that is where the brake light fuse is on mine, chevys are funny like that they have alot of multiple fuses. i would bet on it being a fuse!
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: Wake1 on August 10, 2011, 06:51:45 AM: Check the Flux Capasiter.
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: Maverick on August 10, 2011, 01:05:43 PM: That flux capasiter has always had problems. Haha. Ill have to try on a different trailer.
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: Maverick on August 12, 2011, 12:56:18 AM: Checked all the fuses again today and they were all fine. I discovered that when the truck is off and I press on the brake the lights come on but very dim. :dunno:
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: Camp David on August 12, 2011, 08:17:42 AM: Sounds like a bad ground or a weak short. Check you bulb socket for corrosion and burnt/corroded contacts. Do you have a multi meter?
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: high country on August 12, 2011, 09:16:53 AM: did you try what I suggested yet? I have seen the very problem caused by a bit of dust in the plugs.....I thought I was going to need a new ecm the way it was freaking out.
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: Maverick on August 12, 2011, 02:01:36 PM: i havnt been able to pick up any cleaner yet. but im down to it being that or a weak ground
Title: Re: brake light problems
Post by: Maverick on August 14, 2011, 03:51:35 AM: K where in tricities can I get it fixed for a decent price? Maybe someone on here I can make a deal with?