Brake lights not working...anyone??

[J.S.Eddy]

I believe this problem has been well covered several times over, but, now it has hit home and I can't remember how far back this thread has
run before... Anyway, my problem is my brake lights don't function.
And then I found out that my cruise control doesn't disengage when I step on the brakes, either. Seemsw like there just might be some collusion between the cruise control and my brake lights.
The little 15 amp fuse is not blown, under the passenger side dash... but what now? I'm missing something. What is it?

Help!

Jim
2003 38' FDTS

[jeepfreak]

Could be the brake light switch. I know that some are mounted up under the dash and work of the brake pedal arm . But I think some are mounted on the master cylinder which I don't know if you have one if you have air brakes. The reason I suspect the switch is because you still can set the cruise control and if there was no power to the cold side of the switch you could not. Hope this helps.

[Jim A]

The brake light switch is a likely culprit, and should be easy to check with a VOM meter.

[J.S.Eddy]

I thank you, Jeepfreak. My thinking was somewhere along those lines. I'll check that out first thing.

Jim Eddy

[mountainkowboy]

Also a bad 4-way flasher switch will do the same thing. If its not off all the way you will not have any brake lights. What chassis?

[Jim A]

All Alpine's are on the Peak in-house chassis.

[Dave Fernandez]

Hello Jim:

When my Cruise Control would not disengage I traced the problem to the Brake Light Switch. Once I replaced it cured the problem.

[wa8yxm]

Let's analyze.. The brake lights do not work but the cruise control will engage

This means there is a good fuse, the wires to the brake light switch are good, the wires FROM the brake light switch are good, the 4-way flasher switch likely makes no difference at all, and at least one of the brake light blubs is good.

The Brake light switch is not the prime suspect. It is the ONLY suspect

The Cruise won't engage if any of the other things are bad,, Only a bad brake light switch will allow the Cruise to engage but the brake lights won't work.

Suggestion

Lie under the dash, Depress the brake pedal (Once it's down you can lay you head on it and that may hold it down.

PULL THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE

(you may wish to do that first)

Now press and release on the brake light switch plunger (This assumes it's one that senses the position of the brake arm) about 35 or 50 times.


Replace fuse and see if that fixes it... You might get lucky

[Jim&MaryJo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Fernandez Hello Jim: When my Cruise Control would not disengage I traced the problem to the Brake Light Switch. Once I replaced it cured the problem.

Same on my 04 with adjustable pedals, but upon further investigation...
The switch in my brake switch assembly did not fail.
I could push the plunger and it still worked.

Appeared the surface of the plunger had worn where it contacts (rubs) against the steel brake arm.
I cut out a small piece of velcro and stuck it on the plunger to fill the gap needed to get it working again temporarily, but eventually replaced it.

WHen it started to wear again and failed, I figured the shape of my brake arm and/or the linkage that determines the contact gap between the arm and plunger was a little off.

It's been awhile, but here's what I can recall (and confess):

At that point, frustration overtook my normally "anal" desire for clean fixes and I chose to remove a nylon bushing from the large steel pivot pin for the brake arm. This, of course created some lash in the brake linkage, but it also allowed the brake arm to contact the plunger, like it should, but arguably, not the way it should...

[TerryM]

Thinking a little differently, when I picked up my '09 at the factory the brake lights didn't work. Seems they had connected the brake wires to the wrong pins in the back Vansco module. I didn't drive it without lights so I don't know if the cruise worked or not. I'm not sure what year WRV started using the Vansco. Maybe the Vansco is something else to look at???

[J.S.Eddy]

All you good people have simply loaded me up with ideas. I am looking for my brake switch which I believe to be the culprit. I guess it is under the dash. I don't believe the 2003 had Vansco in its inception.
Thanks loads for all your help.

Jim (from down in Georgia)

[SusieBee]

Same prob started today--no brake lights, cruise control engages but doesn't disengage w brake. All other lights & flashers work perfectly. We have 04 36' MDDS. We are stopped for the night near Coalinga CA (!!). Would like to try the trick mentioned to remove fuse, pump brake 35-50 times and replace fuse but can't locate fuse. 04 does not have fuses under passenger side dash. Does anyone know where brake fuse is on our model?

[Jim A]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SusieBee Same prob started today--no brake lights, cruise control engages but doesn't disengage w brake. All other lights & flashers work perfectly. We have 04 36' MDDS. We are stopped for the night near Coalinga CA (!!). Would like to try the trick mentioned to remove fuse, pump brake 35-50 times and replace fuse but can't locate fuse. 04 does not have fuses under passenger side dash. Does anyone know where brake fuse is on our model?

It probably doesn't have a brake fuse. The '04's should have the Vansco system. If you are lucky, turning off the power to the chassis batteries might reset the Vansco and fix it. But I doubt it.

I don't think the earlier post meant to pump the brakes 35-50 times, but to press and release the plunger on the brake light switch 35-50 times. Pumping the brakes should not do anything, except maybe jar the switch and un-stick something. And if it did it would probably mean the switch is bad and the fix would be temporary at best.

[SusieBee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim A It probably doesn't have a brake fuse. The '04's should have the Vansco system. If you are lucky, turning off the power to the chassis batteries might reset the Vansco and fix it. But I doubt it. I don't think the earlier post meant to pump the brakes 35-50 times, but to press and release the plunger on the brake light switch 35-50 times. Pumping the brakes should not do anything, except maybe jar the switch and un-stick something. And if it did it would probably mean the switch is bad and the fix would be temporary at best.

Thanks. Since I am the one who fits under the dash can u help me Id the brake switch? What does it look like? Is it easy to pull & replace or do I need to find a smaller mechanic?