brakes lights don't work?

[jwgeetar]

i drive a 1998 explorer XLT w/96k miles.

twice in the last 2 weeks i've had people (one a wrecker driver) drive by motioning to roll my window down. i do and they say my brakes lights don't work. and i've noticed that people get a lil closer on my behind lately anyway. so i had sweetie get out and check and sure nuff,no brake lights.

ok,but when i turn all my lights on, the brakes lights work.WEIRD! i checked 3 fuse's that are related to brake pressure and what not and they are all good.

do i need to replace both rear bulbs?

 

[Alec]

does the third brakelight still work?

 

[EliteConcept]

aren't the bulbs double filament, one for braking and one for the driving lights?


chances are maybe the bulbs are bad

 

[jwgeetar]

Originally posted by Alec
does the third brakelight still work?

didn't get that info. she was just looking at the others. will check. if it's the bulbs, why did both go around the same time?
why do the brake lights work when all the lights are on?

 

[alphabets13]

what about the brake light switch?

 

[EliteConcept]

because when 1 brake light is on so is the other, its pretty common for 2 lights 2 go out @ the same time

 

[tenikiwon]

Mine both went when at the same time after I jumped another car. Does your third light still work? I spent hours trying to track it down. Eventually went to the shop and we together spent 15 min before we found out it was the bulbs. We both felt stupid.

 

[Majisto]

The one bulb will have two seperate filaments inside of it, but usually it's for turn/driving lights. That's how my Taurus works. It was really strange. I had never heard of double filament before, but my friend and I felt really stupid after measuring the voltage everywhere and finding it good until we replaced the bulb...heh

 

[bdogg23]

same thing happen to me, both brake lights out at the same time, but the third brake light was working. the blinkers worked though...i took it to my mechanic and he had to replace something in the steering wheel column but then they worked fine.

 

[jwgeetar]

well, i went to pep boys(yea i know) and asked around there and got a coupla opinions. since all three lights were out(and i checked right before i went in pep boys)
they suggested it was the brake switch mounted on the brake pedal. sooooo,i got it for like $6.99 and tried to put it on last night.(still didn't check all 3 bulbs). well i got halfway there. it is really tuff for a big guy like me to squeeze down there.

i can't get that cover off under the steering column(it's hanging on the hood release somehow). anyway---i blew that off and got out the mirror so i could see it.by then it was too dark. will try it again tonight.

the main thing is ya gotta get that kotter pin off the pedal so the switch will slip out. and that is TUFF doing it with a mirror---ARRRRGH!

anybody know an easier method? JW

 

[alphabets13]

you don't have to take that cover off. i thought the same thing when i replaced the switch. it's conneted to the top of the brake pedal and in clear view under that panel. i would agree that it is hard for a bigger person to fit under there. just move your seat back as far as yoyu can and slide under on your back. make sure you have a flashlight too. good luck

 

[jwgeetar]

thanks,yea i'll be on my back tonight---only not the way i wanna be

 

[jwgeetar]

i got the brake switch installed. it was a pain. i couldn't get the original clip back on so i made my own outa coat hanger. i prolly need to put the original clip back on cause it's got better tension.

also,my left turn signal quit working. the bulb was fine. apparently when i changed the position of my steering wheel it pinched the wires. which is strange. anyway,i can't use the lowest position on the steering wheel.

thx for the help all.JW

 

[Majisto]

Originally posted by jwgeetar
i got the brake switch installed. it was a pain. i couldn't get the original clip back on so i made my own outa coat hanger. i prolly need to put the original clip back on cause it's got better tension.

also,my left turn signal quit working. the bulb was fine. apparently when i changed the position of my steering wheel it pinched the wires. which is strange. anyway,i can't use the lowest position on the steering wheel.

thx for the help all.JW

Be careful of the multi-function switch wires. If you mess them up too much they can start a fire

 

[Jonah]

The exact thing happened to me tonight. As my daughter was driving off, I noticed both brake lights were out (but the third light was working). The first thing I checked was the fuse. Since the 2 side brake lights are on a different circuit than the third one, I was sure this was the problem but the fuse was okay.

Next I pulled off one of the light lenses and checked the bulb. It looked fine to the naked eye, but the multi-meter showed it to be bad. I checked the bulb socket for voltage and it's fine, so I'm just going to assume that the other bulb is burned out also and replace them both at once.

I thought it was really weird that they both would go out at the same time, but it sounds like it's not that unusual. I only wish all my car problems could be fixed for $10!