Hi, I own a 2001 T/A. Any help is greatly appreciated.

OI know It's an F-body but dayum. This has got me stumped.

About 4 days ago both of my brake lights went out, but the small one in the middle of the wing still worked. Seeing as how both of them went out at the same time I thought that was a 'lil wierd, but whatever. Keep in mind the same lights that are used for the brakes are also the same ones that light up when my lights are on (and they did work when I turned the running lights on). So for the hell of it the next day I go and buy all new bulbs for the rear and replace all of them. After replacing everything I see that they're still not working. Not a big suprise, so I start checking fuses. I find that one is blown and one is half way out. Those get fixed and the lights are working again.

Now today they aren't working again! Checked all fuses again, bulbs are fine and I'm getting a good ground (atleast in the back, I don't know if there is another one).

I'm somewhat ignorant when it comes to electrical **** on cars and after rechecking all the basics this has gone way over my head.

Thanks

 

So there was no blown fuses when you checked the second time around? How are you verifying your ground, with a voltmeter? This might not be related but do your gauge lights work when your back lights don't?

 

Fuses are all fine. There are two grounds on the back inside of the car. The only verification is that they are bolted on tight and looks very clean (not smart of me to assume they're working I guess). But the other one is to the trunk, I think, and that still works.

All of my gauge lights work, my running lights work, blinkers work, reverse lights work, and the little brake light on the wing works. Everything is good accept for when I hit the brakes, then nothing. The same lights are used for the running lights and the brake lights so I know the bulbs are fine.

 

Bump, anyone?

 

Brake light switch on the pedal.... If I remember right, doesnt the third brakelight run a seperate circuit than the two mains?

The two mains have to be seperate to function right with the turn signals dont they?

 

Test the fuses with a multimeter. Just because they look good, doesn't mean they are.

 

Unless there's a difference between 2000 and 2001 T/A's, the brake light switch is a single pole or switch. It operates the wing brake light right out of the switch and the left/right rear bulbs as well. However, the left/right rear brake light bulbs appear to also run through the hazard/turn signal switches before finally running back to the rear brake bulbs. I would start there beneath the dash. Wire colors are listed as follows:

Light Blue out of brake pedal switch
Light Blue to White (via connector) to input side of hazard/turn signal switches
Yellow (Left Rear brake bulb) and Dark Green (Right Rear brake bulb) on output side of the hazard/turn signal switches.

Get a multimeter and check for 12VDC on these wires when the brake switch is applied. Check for loose connections, wires, etc. as well (Actually... do that first since it's the easiest).

Do the turn signals work?

 

I tested the fuses with the multi and all of those are good.


Thanks I'm gonna be testing all of the wires tomorrow from top to bottom and hopefully something good comes out of that.

The turn signals do work but the right turn signal is blinking extreamly slow for some reason. Think the two problems are connected?

Lol this is whoopin' my ***.

 

[QUOTE=WhiteyOnCrack;5249834] ...The turn signals do work but the right turn signal is blinking extreamly slow for some reason. Think the two problems are connected? ...QUOTE]

It's a possibility if your turn signal/hazard switch is bad or flakey. Good luck, you'll get it with some patience and persistence.

 

I paid about $132 for parts & labor at the same shop that replaced my fuel pump......It was diagnosed as BAD brake-light-sockets. I had already replaced all bulbs checked fuses and replaced both brake-pedal-switches myself and decided expert attention was called for, especially since it was already in the shop. The mechanic said the sockets are more complicated inside than just simple light sockets,....even has some rudementary yet very vital printed circuitboard in them. He said he used after market sockets that were about $28 each,..the GM originals are around $78 each.

Good Luck!

 

Dayumn indy you got sca-rewed. Yes sockets are a little more complicated than they look, but not much. There is no circuit board inside the socket. And the sockets arent that expensive. Go check your local parts store..... wow.... I guess thats why people cant believe how low my bills are at my shop, all these other shops stickin it to people like that.

Anyways... to the OP, it sounds like possibly your signal switch in the column if your having problems with one side slower than the other as well as no brake lights. How are the hazards? Do they seem to flash steady or speed change or any slight glitches while they are on? Have you checked the wires on the brake light switch itself like the other poster was talking about yet? Hope you got it figured out or at least have a lot better idea of what to look at.