Brake Lights not coming on - 71

[Mark R.]

I know this is a little premature - I am getting my car delivered tomorrow!!!

I know that the brake lights are not working - according to the seller. He did check the fuse. And I have looked here and else were to research the problem before it gets here.

One of the things I did find out could be the problem is the brake petal switch under the brake petal.

Is there anything else that I would be the first thing to check?

thanks with any help!!
Mark

[Joe L.]

Re: Brake Lights not coming on - 71

I know this is a little premature - I am getting my car delivered tomorrow!!!

I know that the brake lights are not working - according to the seller. He did check the fuse. And I have looked here and else were to research the problem before it gets here.

One of the things I did find out could be the problem is the brake petal switch under the brake petal.

Is there anything else that I would be the first thing to check?

thanks with any help!!
Mark

Mark------

If BOTH brake lights fail to work, the chances are there is a problem with the brake light switch. The switch is pretty easy to get at and replace.

However, I would not discount the possibility that the brake light filaments in both rear lamps are burned out.

By the way, it's very easy to test if it's the switch. Simply remove the connector from the rear of the switch. Then jumper the two contacts in the connector. If the brake lights illuminate, you know the problem is a bad switch. Need a new one? GM #1261219. About 13 bucks, GM list. Your original switch is likely white plastic. The replacement will be either white or black plastic.

[Mark R.]

Re: Brake Lights not coming on - 71

Mark------

If BOTH brake lights fail to work, the chances are there is a problem with the brake light switch. The switch is pretty easy to get at and replace.

However, I would not discount the possibility that the brake light filaments in both rear lamps are burned out.

By the way, it's very easy to test if it's the switch. Simply remove the connector from the rear of the switch. Then jumper the two contacts in the connector. If the brake lights illuminate, you know the problem is a bad switch. Need a new one? GM #1261219. About 13 bucks, GM list. Your original switch is likely white plastic. The replacement will be either white or black plastic.

thanks for the info - will keep you posted.

Mark

[Thomas H.]

Re: Brake Lights not coming on - 71

Joe gives good advice, as usual...........

A few other areas to look at based on my experiences:

When checking the bulbs, look into the bulb socket and see if the contacts have any corrosion on them (mine did causing an intermittant right brake light issue).

Also verify the ground connection at the light is good.

Tom

[Terry M.]

Re: Brake Lights not coming on - 71

If the dash lights also fail to work, check the fuse. They are both on the same circuit and a problem with the dash lights may cause the fuse to blow.

[Jim T.]

Re: Brake Lights not coming on - 71

I know this is a little premature - I am getting my car delivered tomorrow!!!

I know that the brake lights are not working - according to the seller. He did check the fuse. And I have looked here and else were to research the problem before it gets here.

One of the things I did find out could be the problem is the brake petal switch under the brake petal.

Is there anything else that I would be the first thing to check?

thanks with any help!!
Mark

What is handy in checking the brake light switch is being able to look at the fiber optics in the center console and verify the lights work without a helper.

[Mark R.]

Re: Brake Lights not coming on - 71

It turned out to be the brake light switch -

thanks will all the help!
Mark