Taillights work sometimes. Brake lights not at all.
 

Yesterday I drove my truck a little bit noticed that the left blinker was blinking fast, just figured a burnt bulb I got home and my girlfriend was following me and said I had no brake lights but the third brake light worked, license plate lights work. One blinker works. I turned the parking lights on and it took about 5seconds for the taillights to come on then they shut off. I haven't had much time to mess with it, but has anyone ever had this problem? Where do I start? Truck is a 98 Silverado z71. Thank you in advance.

Re: Taillights work sometimes. Brake lights not at all.
 

Crappy tail light "boards". Pull them out of the housings and pull the bulbs and check for voltage and grounds at the sockets. Don't be surprised if you see them melted. They are the worst. You can get new ones at just about any auto parts store. Put dielectric grease on the bulb bases before you put new ones back in.

When you pull these in the future to replace bulbs, don't waste your time just doing the bad bulb. Do all of them at one time.

Re: Taillights work sometimes. Brake lights not at all.
 

Check the main connection under the truck. I have seen the plugs come loose as well. There is also a ground connection that goes to the frame. Make sure that is not loose or corroded off.

Re: Taillights work sometimes. Brake lights not at all.
 

Thank for the fast replies. I have still not messed with it, but I will this weekend. I also had noticed that trailer lights had been installed I'm wondering if that has something to do with all of this mishap. I'll start out checking the ground first then the plugs. Again thank you very much and I will keep this post updated