Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting brake lights

I replaced both tail lights. The turn signals work the hazaed lights work and the third brake light works. The tail lights come on if I turn on my lights but they do not come on or get brighter when I put on the brakes.

Okay.


You replaced the taillight (BULBS, housing, what?).. because of.....
what? This problem? Or did this problem occur only after you replaced them?


My guess would be the brake switch, located behind the brake pedal, on the stalk that the pedal is mounted to.. It is a little brown (IIRC) box with a black plastic switch prong sticking out of it, and it gets UNPRESSED when you press the brake pedal.. normally if it were to become misaligned, or off its mount, the brake lights would STAY ON, regardless of whether or not you were pressing the pedal.. but its possible.


I would start by checking the fuses... Number 24, 15A, light blue (controls brakes alone, not taillights, parking lights.)

Then if good, the power at the bulb connector should be good.. if good, check bulbs...


a list of fuses for the entire car:


"FUSE LIST" (just said these so it comes up in searches)
FUSE DIAGRAM



FUSES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUSE BOX
Fuse # - Amp - Color - Circuit
1 - 80 - Black - Main power
2 - 60 - Yellow - Engine cooling fan
3 - 60 - Yellow - ABS braking system, Heater blower motor
4 - 20 - Yellow - Daytime running lights
5 - 15 - Light Blue - Fog lamp
6 - Not used
7 - 20 - Yellow - ABS system
8 - Not used
9 - 20 - Light Blue - ECU
10 - 20 - Light Blue - Ignition switch
11 - 3 - Violet - ECU memory
12 - 15 - Light Blue - Horn, Hazard flasher warning system
13 - 20 - Yellow - Oxygen sensor
14 - 15 - Light Blue - Fuel pump
15 - 10 - Red - Low beam, passenger side
16 - 10 - Red - Low beam, driver's side
17 - 10 - Red - High beam, passenger side
18 - 10 - Red - High beam, driver's side
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FUSE BOX
Fuse # - Amp - Color - Circuit
19 - Not used
20 - 10 - Black - Wiper motors (circuit breaker)
21 - 40 - Orange - Power windows
22 - 7.5 - Brown - ABS module
23 - 15 - Light Blue - Backup lights
24 - 15 - Light Blue - Brake lights
25 - 20 - Yellow - Door locks
26 - 7.5 - Brown - Main light
27 - 15 - Light Blue - Cigarette lighter
28 - 30 - Light Green - Electric seats
29 - 30 - Light Green - Rear window defroster
30 - 7.5 - Brown - Engine management system
31 - 7.5 - Brown - Instrument panel illumination
32 - 7.5 - Brown - Radio
33 - 7.5 - Brown - Parking lamps - drivers side
34 - 7.5 - Brown - Interior lights, electric side mirrors, clock
35 - 7.5 - Brown - Parking lights - passenger side
36 - 10 - Red - Air bag
37 - 30 - Light Green - Heater blower motor
38 - Not used


RELAYS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUSE BOX
Relay - Circuit
R1 - Daytime running lights
R2 - Radiator fan, high speed
R3 - Air conditioning
R4 - Air conditioning clutch
R5 - Radiator fan, low speed
R6 - Starter solenoid
R7 - Horn
R8 - Fuel pump
R9 - Headlight, low beam
R10 - Headlight, high beam
R11 - ECU module
D1 - Reverse voltage protection
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FUSE B0X
Relay - Circuit
R12 - Interior lighting
R13 - Rear window defroster
R14 - Heater blower motor
R15 - Wiper motor
R16 - Ignition
D2 - Reverse voltage protection


Ray

It won't be a brake light switch if the 3rd brake light is working.

D'OH!!!! I KNEW THAT, and TOTALLY SPAZZED...


Ray

Think I know what your problem is with the brake lights. I have a 96 mistake and the same thing happened to me. After following the wiring diagrams for the lights, I found that the problem is either the connection in the combination switch or a faulty combiniation switch. (Turn signal switch). Depending what year the vehicle is depends on how hard it is to get to the switch.

I have the same problem. Help!!