Help! Brake lights won't come on! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

greasemonkey · 10-14-2002, 04:56 PM

I discovered that my brake lights are not working, so I replaced the fuse, checked the wiring, and cannot find out what is up with them.

My truck's floor was sandblasted the other day, and the sand got everywhere, could that cause a problem? Up until then they worked fine. Please help, I have to drive it to college tomorrow!
John

71GMC_3/4T · 10-14-2002, 07:28 PM

Find the switch that gets actuated by the brake pedal. Pull off the plug and short across it (the plug, not the switch). If the lights come on, your switch must have sand in it. Take it off and shake it around. When the plunger is out, it should be on. If you can't get it to work, I think you can get a new one at just about any auto parts store.

Gordo · 10-14-2002, 07:32 PM

Check your brake light switch that's attached under the dash, above the brake pedal. It's possible it's unplugged or broken, also check for power at the orange wire, if you have power there then apply brakes and see if you have power at the other wire. This switch is live with or without the key on. If you have no power at the orange wire go to fuse box and check for power at both sides of the fuse, this also should be live all the time. If you have power everywhere, check the 1157 bulbs in the rear, these bulbs should light up with the signals/hazard switch also. If everthing still checks okay, the problem may be in your signal light switch, the brake light circut passes through the signal switch.

greasemonkey · 10-14-2002, 09:00 PM

That was it all right. I took the switch off, tried to depress the plunger...and it stayed down. There was sand in it too. So I bought a new one for $3 and it works fine now.

Thanks everybody.

10-14-2002, 04:56 PM	#1
greasemonkey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pace, FL Posts: 2,155	Help! Brake lights won't come on! I discovered that my brake lights are not working, so I replaced the fuse, checked the wiring, and cannot find out what is up with them. My truck's floor was sandblasted the other day, and the sand got everywhere, could that cause a problem? Up until then they worked fine. Please help, I have to drive it to college tomorrow! John __________________ 1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500

10-14-2002, 07:28 PM	#2
71GMC_3/4T Weapons Of Construction Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,095	Find the switch that gets actuated by the brake pedal. Pull off the plug and short across it (the plug, not the switch). If the lights come on, your switch must have sand in it. Take it off and shake it around. When the plunger is out, it should be on. If you can't get it to work, I think you can get a new one at just about any auto parts store. __________________ 1971 GMC 2500, 402/TH400 4.10 Daily Driver Lafayette, CO

10-14-2002, 07:32 PM	#3
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	Check your brake light switch that's attached under the dash, above the brake pedal. It's possible it's unplugged or broken, also check for power at the orange wire, if you have power there then apply brakes and see if you have power at the other wire. This switch is live with or without the key on. If you have no power at the orange wire go to fuse box and check for power at both sides of the fuse, this also should be live all the time. If you have power everywhere, check the 1157 bulbs in the rear, these bulbs should light up with the signals/hazard switch also. If everthing still checks okay, the problem may be in your signal light switch, the brake light circut passes through the signal switch. __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

10-14-2002, 09:00 PM	#4
greasemonkey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pace, FL Posts: 2,155	That was it all right. I took the switch off, tried to depress the plunger...and it stayed down. There was sand in it too. So I bought a new one for $3 and it works fine now. Thanks everybody. __________________ 1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500



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