I came across this pic on shoebox's site of a brake light switch

http://shbox.com/ignsw/brake_sw1.jpg

I was wondering where it is located and what is its purpose. My driver side brake light is acting real funky. When the headlights are on, the brake light doesn't work. When the head lights are off, the light works but is much dimmer than the passenger side.

 

You will find the brake light switch behind the drivers side kick panel just above the brake pedal.

Is the bulb in the socket correctly?

 

Ya I dont think its teh bulbs or the wiring harness. I was underneeth the steering column last night replacing my brake booster and I must have snagged a wire or something while under there. I never had the problem until yesterday.

 

Do you think the brake light switch could be teh cause of my problems?

 

If you think you snagged a wire, I'd check that first. It would be very far fetched to think the switch went bad at the same time you were under there rustling wires around.

 

Does anyone know what the function of the brake switch is? I was very careful while under there when replacing the brake booster and I cant imagine disconnecting the switch. Would a loose wire in the brake switch give similar symptoms to what I'm experiencing right now you think? Its strange because the driver side brake light does not work when the head lights are on, and they work but are dimmer when the headlights are off.

 

It's an on/off switch. When you step on the brake, it turns the lights on, when you release the brake, it turns them back off. It works both lights so is most likely NOT the problem. 4th gens. are known for getting corrosion of the rear sockets. But this sounds like it's simply a bulb. Check them and while your back there look at the sockets.

 

Well if it was the bulb, is it possible for the brake light work when the headlights are off, but not work when the head lights are on? I will check the sockets tonight but I think it still has something to do with underneeth the driver side dash because that was where I was working when this problem came up. Anyone else have any input?