I have a 1998 Chevy Lumina and the brake lights don't work.?

Question

The center high mount brake light works but the outer two do not. The bulbs are good because the signal lights work and I know the signal and brake lights are on the same wire at the socket. I checked the brake light switch and it seems to be working properly. Is there a relay or some type module/brain box that lets the brake lights work even when the signal light is on because they light up through the same wire at the tail light itself?

Answer 1

I think your turn signal switch is faulty. Try wiggling the turn signal lever and holding it in various postions and see if you can get a wink out of the turn signals. The high mount brake light is on a separate circuit, and ran by a high mount brake light relay. The lower brake lights and turn signals all work through the turn signal switch, which is located in the steering column. This is the brain you refer too, so that if you have on the turn signals for the left side, the brake lights will still work on the right as needed.

Answer 2

Is this a Lumina van or car? GM has a great deal of tail light failures as a result of corrosion getting into the board, which is a one piece unit on the vans. Also, check to make sure that the bulb you took out is exactly the same, with the same number of filiments, then ensure that the connection is good by trying to squeeze the contacts inside the board or socket together, and then putting the correct bulb back in. You may also check to make sure that you are getting 12 volts to the board on the one wire that supplies power to the lights using a digital multimeter, and then check the voltage drop on the ground circuit, because they may have the same power, but separate grounds.

Answer 3

89 Chevy Lumina

Answer 4

it sounds as though the actual bulbs are burnt out.....but you say they are ok. Check and see if the filament is ok.

Daniel

Answer 5

if the switch is good,then it must be a bad ground somewhere.

Answer 6

bad socket or grounding problem