1999 Silverado brake lights not working!

[michaelj239]

99' 5.3 silverado my 2 rear brake lights don't work. My 3rd brake light works, turn signals work, and the hazards light up the brake light bulb. Fuses and bulbs are good. Any ideas on what the issue could be?

[C. Durham]

Bad/dirty brake switch

[Swimmer8366]

Junction box

 

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk

[michaelj239]

Bad/dirty brake switch

Even though the third brake light works fine?

[It's Tim]

Dirt/corrosion in the connector.

[michaelj239]

Update: brake light switch replaced. High brake light still works but no rear brake lights.

[Motor City Rick]

Okay michaelj329,

 

Stop changing parts on guesstimates!

 

Go to the rear of the truck near the left rear bumper area by the frame rail, locate the rear taillight harness connector.

 

In that harness is a yellow & dark green wire. I need you to stick a 12 volt test light into that connector on both sides while somebody is pressing on the brake pedal.

Is there 12 volts???

If yes, the problem could be at the trailer harness connection or an open in tail light harness leading to the left rear taillight.

If no, go to the brake light switch and test the white wire there.

If there is power, coming out of brake switch, then there an open leading back to the taillight harness. First check to see if the white wire is backed out of the bulkhead (firewall) connector.

 

I will leave a very simple schematic to help you along. You can save it as .jpeg for your own personal use.

 

Edited September 27, 2017 by Motor City Rick

[michaelj239]

You're right shouldn't be changing parts out like that. But here I am at this connector you speak of( i think i'm at the right one) and in all 4 of these connectors i have not one white wire? One black and white but when the schematic says white I always assume they mean just that color. Or am i wrong?

 

Okay michaelj329,

 

Stop changing parts on guesstimates!

 

Go to the rear of the truck near the left rear bumper area by the frame rail, locate the rear taillight harness connector.

 

In that harness is a white wire. I need you to stick a 12 volt test light into that connector on both sides while somebody is pressing on the brake pedal.

Is there 12 volts???

If yes, the problem could be at the trailer harness connection or an open in tail light harness leading to the left rear taillight.

If no, go to the brake light switch and test the white wire there.

If there is power, coming out of brake switch, then there an open leading back to the taillight harness. First check to see if the white wire is backed out of the bulkhead (firewall) connector.

 

I will leave a very simple schematic to help you along. You can save it as .jpeg for your own personal use.

 

 

Stop Lamp Wiring.gif

[Motor City Rick]

I deleted the old schematic (2 bulb) and put in the one for 1 bulb taillights instead of 2 bulb system. My error.

 

Yellow wire is left hand turn signal / brake light

Dark Green wire is right hand turn signal / brake light

Chocolate wire is running / license plate lights

Every black wire is grounds

 

Let me know if you have a light blue and or any white wire back by the rear bumper???

 

 

 

[no HD]

michaelj239, On my 99 Silverado, the turn signals and 4  way flashers use a separate bulb to themselves. The stop lights are double filament bulbs used with the tail lights. Check yours to see if maybe you have 2 blown bulbs. That would explain why the 3rd brake light works and the hazards and signals work but no brake lights, they might be same bulb as the tail lights. Just a suggestion.

[Brian Knuth]

 No running or brake light or reverse  ?

[Lencho902]

On 9/24/2017 at 4:45 PM, michaelj239 said:

99' 5.3 silverado my 2 rear brake lights don't work. My 3rd brake light works, turn signals work, and the hazards light up the brake light bulb. Fuses and bulbs are good. Any ideas on what the issue could be?

Hey I am having the exact same issue Michaelj239, I also have a 99 silverado with a 5.3 all my lights are working including the top center brake lights expect the 2 rear, what solved your issue ? I don’t want to just be buying random parts if unneeded I put new bulbs & nothing, new fuses & nothing as well 

[redvett]

On 9/25/2017 at 10:11 AM, michaelj239 said:

Even though the third brake light works fine?

The brake switch has several circuits 1 for cruise control, 1 for  CHIMSL/ high mounted brake light and 1 for brake lights. Try the emergency flashers first, if they work the lights/wiring are OK then replace the brake switch.

[Monkeywrenching]

Got funny issue like this, my brake lights and reverse lights flash when I put either signal on, as soon as I step on the brake they all quit, and just solid lights on all the lights but dim, If I removed the middle bulb on both sides signal lights flash on the bottom tiny bulb only, top light stays on but goes off if I step on the brake. Cab brake light is unaffected, no liscence plate light. Bulbs are all good. 2003 HD 2500 with the three bulb lights and small marker light at bottom. Grrrrrrr.. (new junction block didn’t help)