Brake lights are not working. replaced brake light swtch still no brake lights. the third brake light the connection was melted at

Brake lights are not working. replaced brake light swtch still no brake lights. the third brake light the connection was melted at harness could this be my problem?

My car has 125000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The first thing to do is to repair third brake light and replace the brake light fuse and then see if the third brake lights work and the lower lights start working? If only the 3rd brake light starts working then you may need a further checks on the turn signal flasher or switch could be bad.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

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.
It sounds like you may have either a blown fuse or a broken wire. Check and replace the fuses/relays as necessary. It may be necessary to check for battery voltage with a digital volt/ohm meter at the brake switch and bulb sockets; be sure to follow the power source power flow chart in the electrical wiring diagram.
Hi david310, Your fuse box should be located inside the vehicle – probably under the dash on the drivers side. Pull each fuse seperately and look for a blown fuse.
Bad Switch: One common reason for the Parking Brake light to stay on is a failing or failed switch. This can be checked easily by jiggling the handle after it is down. If the light turns off (or turns off and then back on), the switch is the most likely culprit and will need to be replaced.
If one or more of your brake lights aren`t working properly, it could mean one of three things: The brake light system fuse is blown, the brake light bulbs are burned out or the brake light wiring switch is broken.
It is a 15amp fuse that powers the stop light switch on the brake pedal. The brake light switch sends power to rear brake lights.
Check Your Fuses

The first thing to check is whether or not the brake light fuse has blown. This fuse is usually located in the fuse box under the hood, and it`s relatively easy to check. Just remove the fuse and hold it up to a light – if the wire inside is broken, then you`ll need to replace the fuse.

Blown Fuse

A car fuse safeguards the tail light and brake light circuit from overcurrent. However, a high electric load on the rear light can cause a blown fuse and the tail light to stop working. This malfunction could happen even if you still have a working brake light.

Like all fuses, the brake light system fuse can be found in the power distribution center, which is under the dashboard or tucked away underneath the hood. Never heard of the power distribution center? It`s just the technical name for a fuse box.
Double-Check Your Brake Lever/Handle

The reason why your parking brake light stays on is that you didn`t properly disengage the lever or handle. The parking brake lever or handle must be completely lowered to disengage the braking system, so the light indicator goes away.

Brake system warning light

If the ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) warning light is also illuminated, this signals that the braking system has malfunctioned and your brakes may not work properly. Pull over and stop as soon as it`s safe to do so – keep your speed low and avoid braking suddenly.

Answer: The state statute says that a vehicle equipped with stop lamps or signal lamps shall at all times be maintained in good working condition. So all brake lights, including the third one, would have to be operational when activated.
The most common cause your brake lights stay on is because of a faulty brake light switch or sensor. It can also be caused by a faulty brake pedal or a malfunction in the electrical system. If you recently replaced the rear light bulbs when it occurred, you may have installed the wrong light bulbs.
A common cause for car brake lights that won`t turn on is a faulty brake light switch. This component can be found beneath your dash attached near the brake pedal. If your lights are disabled, it may be sticking closed or the part has failed.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Brake lights are not working. replaced brake light swtch still no brake lights. the third brake light the connection was melted at
ANSWER : The first thing to do is to repair third brake light and replace the brake light fuse and then see if the third brake lights work and the lower lights start working? If only the 3rd brake light starts working then you may need a further checks on the turn signal flasher or switch could be bad.

EPC light on 2004 Jetta. Code said brake switch faulty, but brakes lights worked. Replaced brake switch, now no brake lights.
ANSWER : Hi there. The first thing that pops in my mind beyond of what you have listed is perhaps the electrical harness attached to the brake switch. Perhaps the harness itself is damaged or you have an exposed wire, loose ground wire somewhere. You might want to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a brake lights not working inspection to help you diagnose this issue.

Okay so when I turn my lights on at night my brake lights do not work, when I don’t have my lights on they work fine.
ANSWER : Hi there. Based on your inquiry, it’s highly probable that you have a damaged light switch or some electrical fault inside the turn signal relay. However, it’s also possible that the brake switch above the brake pedal could also be the source of your problem. Due to the fact that multiple electrical components might be causing this issue, it’s a smart idea to first have a professional mobile mechanic complete a brake lights are not working inspection, so they can determine what’s causing all of these issues and recommend the right repairs.

All dashboard lights and tail lights do not work after driving through a lot of snow. Headlights work. And brake lights work.
ANSWER : Hello. We’ll be happy to help you. There are a few things that I recommend checking to discover why your lighting system is malfunctioning. The headlight dimmer switch should be checked. Along with the wiring harness above the right front tire behind the fender well cover. Also
the main fuse under the hood should be inspected because other people with your particular vehicle have had similar lighting issues if that fuse goes bad. It will be a great idea to check the rest of the fuses in that area too while checking the main fuse. Once the fuses are checked inside of the main fuse box then I would check the fuses inside of their interior fuse box. The interior fuse box should be located on the driver side of the dashboard near where your legs would be. If you need more assistance with repairing your vehicle please keep in mind that our organization provides Mobile Mechanics who can help you diagnose and repair your vehicle, all at competitive rates.

I replaced the brake light switch. Gear lever unlocked because it had locked. Now the brakes feel hard.
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. You need to check the brake switch install adjustment. You may have the switch adjusted too tight and it is holding the the brake pedal partly down. This will cause the brake master cylinder to not release the brakes when you let off the pedal. Readjust the switch away from the pedal until you feel some free play again in the pedal. This should fix the problem. If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect and diagnose this issue for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.

When I put my foot on the brake my back left brake light goes off, when I take it off the brake the brake light comes on
ANSWER : I would suggest trying to disconnect and reconnect the wiring to the rear lights. I have seen these older Toyota vehicles rear lighting short out on the lights themselves due to the way the light circuit was made on the lamp housing. Look at the housing circuit on the light to see if one is touching another, and that could tell you why it is malfunctioning. There could also be a problem with the brake light switch. If you are not comfortable dealing with wires, I recommend getting in touch with a certified mechanic who can look at your brake light issue for you to see what’s going on.

I replaced the tailight assembly but the the brake light still won’t turn on.
ANSWER : You will need to do some further testing to figure out where the issue is. This is going to require you trace the power supply from the brake pedal to the bulb. All of the following can be the cause and should be check out. Luckily the brake light circuit is not extremely complicated. The connection to the brake lights is most likely not being made. This can be do to the brake light sensor located at the brake pedal. It can be due to a short or wiring damage between the switch and the bulb. The issue may be the wiring terminal into the brake light assembly. It may be the bulb socket. Have you checked all related fuses? Using a voltmeter, you can test for available voltage across all of these components and find where the voltage drop occurs. That will be the component which has failed and needs to be replaced.

Brake light does not work.
ANSWER : Use the power wire from the brake light switch to activate the rear brake lights. By having an alternate power supply, ;the brake lights have no control without a switch, so the module is on but not functioning for the brake lights on the rear of the car. If you need further assistance with your brake module, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.