Common questions

Why are my brake lights not working on my 1998 Silverado?

Why are my brake lights not working on my 1998 Silverado?

When the brake pedal is pressed down it pushes the cylinder switch together which closes the circuit and makes you brake lights come on. Check your fuses as well as your wiring to the brake light housing. Also make sure that you have working bulbs and the right bulbs are inserted.

Why are the brake lights not working but the tail lights are?

Blown out light bulbs are the most common reason for why the brake lights not working but the tail lights are. Remove the screws from the bulb lens (which you can access through the trunk or see your vehicle repair manual to get the exact location). Push the bulbs and turn them counterclockwise to remove from the socket.

Where are the brake lights on my car?

You will get the fuse panel under the dashboard and the PDC under the hood. The brake light switch is also to be found under the dashboard and check if its plunger touches the brake pedal arm. Any problem with the fuse box and light switch will affect the brake lights.

What should I do if my brake lights dont work?

Solder and shrink tube the new wire to these pigtails and give it a test. If you are unsure of the wire color associated with brake light function, you can access wiring diagrams online, but be warned, chev/gm have been known to change color codes from time to time.

Why are the brake lights on my Chevy not working?

All the other lights work and I should also mention the brake light on the cab is working, the ones in the housing with the reverse light and blinker are the brake lights not working. every light is working, the turn signals, the back-up lights, the tail lights. The only thing not working is the brake lights.

Why does my brake light work when I Turn on the turn signal?

For that to work, the brake wire runs to the turn indicator, so that when you turn on the flashing turn signal, it switches out the brake light signal for that side so that the two signals don’t collide. So don’t just check the brake light. Also check the turn signals.

Where are the brake lights and tail lights?

In most European cars, the same bulb does the job of the tail and brake lighting. However, it has double filaments, allowing one set still working while the other set is burnt. You have to find the fuse box or the power distribution center (PDC). You will get the fuse panel under the dashboard and the PDC under the hood.

Where are the 3rd brake lights on a Chevy 1500?

The 3rd brake light is on a seperate circuit from the brake lights . Test for power at the brake switch.Orange is 1 and white is the other,they are next to each on the switch.If that checks out try fiddling with the hazards and turnsinals since the brake light power flow goes form the brake switch to the turnsignals.

What does it mean when your brake light is not working?

Average rating from 73 customers who received a Brake light is not working Inspection. The brake light switch is the electrical switch that is responsible for activating the brake lights. When the pedal is pressed, the brake light switch makes contact, and the the brake lights are illuminated.

Why are my brake pedals not working properly?

A slow descent of the brake pedal means that the pressure is leaking out of the master cylinder. The brakes can fail if your hydraulic system or master cylinder is leaking. Pulsation: This is the symptom of a brake rotor that has warped.

When does the brake light switch come on?

When the pedal is pressed, the brake light switch makes contact, and the the brake lights are illuminated. While the exact designs of brake switches can vary, they all serve the same purpose of activating the brake lights when the pedal is pressed.

Why are my brake lights not working on my 1997 Chevy?

Pull the plastic cap off the fuse chassis and you’ll see a square relay fuse switch and replace it for the brakes. It’s only $13 bucks and is the predominant issue with 1997 Chevy Trucks and the brakes not working especially if you reverse and blinker lights do work. Was this answer helpful? Its the taillight circuit board or a broken wire.

Where is the brake light switch on a 1998 Silverado?

The brake light switch is on the arm from the brake pedal to the brake booster (under the hood). It is held in place by a snap clip that is nearly impossible to get off, so don’t. Buy your switch and a new snap clip and then take a large screwdriver and shove it between the top of brake petal and the switch.

Where are the brake lights on a Chevy C / K 1500?

There is a break light relay I think down under drivers side, or under the hood in the fuse box. Blinkers are working so the circuit is good. 32 people found this helpful. Thanks Rowefast, it was the brake light relay.

Why does my third brake light not work?

Jim, common problem. If your third brake light works either way but the rear brake lights stop working when the truck is on its a faulty ground wire to the stop lamp relay. Other things use that ground when the key is on so its not strong enough then to activate the armature within the relay.

Why does the Check Engine light come on on a Chevy Silverado?

Oxygen sensors can change the way that your Silverado’s engine runs. Most of the time, the check engine light will come on. It’s a good thing that the check engine light would come on, as there is more than one oxygen sensor, and they can be difficult to get to and test.

What should I do if my Chevy Silverado starts acting up?

Contact GM if a relatively new Silverado starts acting up. It could be that there is a TSB (technical service bulletin) or recall that addresses the problem. If so, give your dealer the TSB number and expect to get your repair made for free. Since 2007, the newly designed Silverado shares the same platform with the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon.

What happens when the oxygen sensor goes bad on a Chevy Silverado?

Your Silverado can exhibit symptoms when the Oxygen sensor has gone bad. Or, it may exhibit none at all. Often enough, the only sign of the problem at all is the service engine soon light being on. The good news is, if you end up discovering that the oxygen sensor is bad, they really aren’t that expensive to replace.

What are the symptoms of bad blend door actuator Silverado?

Another symptom is when you keep hearing a repetitive noise behind the glove box where the HVAC is located. This noise will occur when you change the settings in your air conditioner or you start your car. The noise might sound like knocking or clanking.

What are the symptoms of a bad alternator in a Chevy Silverado?

Outside of the battery warning light, a dead battery is the most common symptom of a bad alternator. As the alternator can no longer supply your Silverado with an adequate power supply, it will begin to feed off of the reserve in the battery.

How can you tell if your car has bad ground?

This is one of the more obvious signs of a bad ground, manifesting in much the same way as a loose battery cable or a dead battery. When you attempt to start your car, you may hear a single click or a rapid tapping; this is the sound of the starter’s solenoid opening or closing, or the sound of the starter’s Bendix drive moving.

What are the signs of a bad ground wire?

Dead Battery. A battery that refuses to take a charge is one sign of a bad ground. The ground is a major part of the battery’s charging system, so assuming that you’re getting proper voltage output from the alternator wire, and the battery isn’t hashed, then you may be looking at a bad ground wire.

Where are the brake lights on a C / K 1500?

There is a switch. I think on most C/K 1500/2500 it is on the brake pedal arm or the arm hits it. It is $5-$10; you might take ALL your truck data to the auto parts store, buy a new switch, then look for the same thing around the brake arm or under the hood. There’s a fuse. Find the fusebox and look for “brake”. The Owner’s Manual may have clues.

Why are the rear lights on my 91 k1500 not working?

I had the same problem on my 91 K1500. The most common reason rear lights of any kind will fail is rotted wires. They run through wire shroud from front to back along the inside of the frame to the left tail light. Running this way leaves them exposed to the elements.

Why is my brake light and turn signal not working?

@chevy88burban, Katelyn​ , Switch or replace the bulbs from one side to the other to ensure it is not the bulbs, check the bulb sockets for any corrosion/burnt/damaged contacts.

When the brake pedal is pressed down it pushes the cylinder switch together which closes the circuit and makes you brake lights come on. Check your fuses as well as your wiring to the brake light housing. Also make sure that you have working bulbs and the right bulbs are inserted.

There is a switch. I think on most C/K 1500/2500 it is on the brake pedal arm or the arm hits it. It is $5-$10; you might take ALL your truck data to the auto parts store, buy a new switch, then look for the same thing around the brake arm or under the hood. There’s a fuse. Find the fusebox and look for “brake”. The Owner’s Manual may have clues.

Where is the fuse on the brake light?

You will get the fuse panel under the dashboard and the PDC under the hood. The brake light switch is also to be found under the dashboard and check if its plunger touches the brake pedal arm. Any problem with the fuse box and light switch will affect the brake lights. In case if the fuse is blown, change it with a new one.

I had the same problem on my 91 K1500. The most common reason rear lights of any kind will fail is rotted wires. They run through wire shroud from front to back along the inside of the frame to the left tail light. Running this way leaves them exposed to the elements.

Jim, common problem. If your third brake light works either way but the rear brake lights stop working when the truck is on its a faulty ground wire to the stop lamp relay. Other things use that ground when the key is on so its not strong enough then to activate the armature within the relay.

Where do the brake lights go in a car?

The way those taillights work theres a white wire under dash on the column that white wire is for brake light. So the way the brake lights work they go through a relay and through blinker switch.

Where are the brake lights on a Chevy Silverado?

Check the Brake Lights Circuit. Start at the fuse box under the hood and make sure the brake lights fuse is not blown, that the terminals are free of corrosion and that the connections are tight. Then check the brake light switch on the bake pedal arm. Back probe the switch terminals with a test light.

Blown out light bulbs are the most common reason for why the brake lights not working but the tail lights are. Remove the screws from the bulb lens (which you can access through the trunk or see your vehicle repair manual to get the exact location). Push the bulbs and turn them counterclockwise to remove from the socket.

Is it dangerous to drive with brake lights not working?

Driving at night with either brake lights or tail lights not working is dangerous for you and other drivers on the road. It takes a long time to notice when the brake lights not working but tail lights are or vice versa. It is so because you won’t know what is happening in the backside while driving until someone points it out.

Why do my brake lights stay on all the time?

The most common reason that they stay on is a brake light switch that has failed. Brake lights work by having an electric current sent to the brake pedal switch at all times (even with the vehicle off). When you press the brake pedal in, it sends the current to the brake lights. It’s a very simple system that has not changed in almost a century.

What to do if parking brake light doesn’t come on?

Start by checking the parking brake switch for available voltage. Then apply the brake and check for voltage after the switch. Continue down the circuit until you find where the voltage should be, and isn’t strong enough.

What should I do if my brake light wont turn on?

Only one of the switch terminals should turn on the test light. When you depress the brake pedal, both switch terminals should turn on the test light. If only one of the wires turns on the test light, unplug the switch and jump the two connections at the connector.

Why does my brake light turn on when I push the pedal?

When the brake pedal gets pushed, a switch is triggered to send a signal to the lights out back that it’s time to turn on. Analog switches wear out over time, and they can get dirty, too, which interferes with their ability to make positive contact and transmit the right signal.

Why is my brake pedal not working properly?

When the piston is stuck in the applied position, you can see the ports supplying fluid are blocked and will not fill the cylinder and operate properly. You can verify this condition by removing the master cylinder from the booster without disconnecting the brake lines.

Is the left rear brake light corroded?

I went over and check the wiring to the affected side (left rear brake light/parking light) and sure enough, all of the ground wire connections were corroded where they were connected to the tailight assembly.

What happens if air leaks into the brake lines?

With air leaking into the brake lines, the system cannot pressurize and pump brake liquid at optimal condition. Air can leak into the brake lines in very small quantities from any component with rubber seals, including the brake caliper or wheel cylinder, and the brake master cylinder.

What makes the brake lights come on on a 1998 Silverado?

It does look like a bracket, that wraps around the brake pedal arm. When the brake pedal is pressed down it pushes the cylinder switch together which closes the circuit and makes you brake lights come on. Check your fuses as well as your wiring to the brake light housing. Also make sure that you have working bulbs and the right bulbs are inserted.

Why is there less pressure on the brake pedal?

If vacuum is present in the system, light application will produce less and less pedal travel. If there is no vacuum, air is leaking into the system. With the engine OFF, pump the brake pedal until the supply vacuum is entirely gone. Put light, steady pressure on the brake pedal.

How to diagnose hard brake pedal master power brakes?

A) With the engine not running, press and depress the brake pedal several times to remove any vacuum from inside the booster. B) On the last push of the brake pedal, hold moderate pressure on the brake pedal. Don’t push like you are panic stopping, but simply hold pressure like you are sitting at a red light.

Why do my brake lights not work on my GMC Sierra?

I have a 1994 GMC Sierra C1500 2WD with 4.3l w/automatic. It was a fleet vehicle. Plain Jane accept for High Output Heater, Limited Slip Diff and Engine Block Heater. Brake lights were working intermittently. Would come on when pedal as first depressed then go out after pedal traveled down a bit. I put in a new switch and all was well for 3 months.

What to do when your third brake light is not working?

When the lower lights do not come on and only the third-brake light works, the brake-light switch may be ruled out. Again try the emergency-flashers to check for wiring, socket and lamp problems. If the flashers work, check for blown fuses as a few vehicles use separate circuits for the lower and third brake lights.

What causes a brake light to go out on one side?

Brake lights out on one side. A brake light out on one side only is most often a bulb or socket problem. Try the emergency-flashers and if the lamp still does not light, bulbs or sockets are the very likely cause.

How can I tell if my brake light bulbs are good?

Substitute a known good bulb, from the other side, to verify bulbs that cannot be confirmed otherwise. Inspect sockets closely for signs of discoloration, distortion or corrosion on the contacts. With the brakes depressed, lightly touch the terminals with a voltmeter, to check for voltage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIAnp5deGJU

What are the fuses for the brake lights on a Silverado?

The current path from what I can guess starts at the battery, through a 25 amp stop lamp fuse, connector c202, 15 amp vehicle stop fuse, connectors e7 and c3, rear lamps junction block, then to the stop lamps themselves. Edit; there’s also a separate 10 amp fuse for the high center stop lamp it appears, named “vhl chmsl” fuse for some reason.

My back up lights and running lights work. ive checked all my fuses replace the bulbs. ive replaced my brake light swicth and also my tail lamp circuit board. ive have not lost ground to my brake light sockets but not getting 12volts. See if the hazard flashers work.

Why is my brake light not working on my Silverado?

Sounds like the classic signs of a bad multi-function switch. Usually the middle brake light is tied directly to the brake switch so if that light works it indicates the brake switch is doing its’ job and power is good past the switch.

My back up lights and running lights work. ive checked all my fuses replace the bulbs. ive replaced my brake light swicth and also my tail lamp circuit board. ive have not lost ground to my brake light sockets but not getting 12volts. See if the hazard flashers work.

The current path from what I can guess starts at the battery, through a 25 amp stop lamp fuse, connector c202, 15 amp vehicle stop fuse, connectors e7 and c3, rear lamps junction block, then to the stop lamps themselves. Edit; there’s also a separate 10 amp fuse for the high center stop lamp it appears, named “vhl chmsl” fuse for some reason.

Where are the black wires at the brake light?

Black wires at the lamps provide the ground connections. Since 2003 Dan Ferrell has contributed general and consumer-oriented news to television and the Web. His work has appeared in Texas, New Mexico and Miami and on various websites. Ferrell is a certified automation and control technician from the Advanced Technology Center in El Paso, Texas.

Solder and shrink tube the new wire to these pigtails and give it a test. If you are unsure of the wire color associated with brake light function, you can access wiring diagrams online, but be warned, chev/gm have been known to change color codes from time to time.

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Ruth Doyle