Argh!! Brake lights went out.

TX-TahoeLtd · March 23, 2004

Thanks for the guided help thus far on my other posts...

I noticed today that all 3 brake lights on the back of my Tahoe are out. I can't figure out why, need ideas.

What I know:

All other electrical seems to work.

Worked Friday - had inspection done.

No fuses are out.

Turn signals, parking lights, hazard lights all work.

Back up lights work.

What I checked:

All related fuses.

Under dash, all wiring appears to be properly connected. Nothing dangling down or loose. I tried plugging in all the connections again (just ensuring they're plugged in, didn't unplug and replug)

I find it highly unlikely that all 3 lights (even the LED strip across the top for the 3rd brake light) went out overnight.

Even so, I can't seem to get into the compartment to check the bulb connections. There's plastic parts all around the back corners that have recessed 5, 5.5 or 6 mm bolts holding them on, but I don't have anything that'll fit down there.

Anything at all I can check would be great. I've got to go out of town for a week and this is the only mode of transportation we have while the other vehicle gets fixed. I'd like to avoid a ticket.

Thanks for any and all help!

Wingnut · March 23, 2004

I'm not near my truck right now, so I can't go look...But isn't there a switch on the brake pedal stem that activates the lights?

I had an 89 that the brake lights wouldn't go out unless you pulled up on the pedal with your toe. There was a mechanism just above the rubber brake pad -on the stem- that had a spring in it that was worn out...I just used a different spring I had laying around, and it worked grand.

Just a thought, but you might want to check there.

TX-TahoeLtd · March 23, 2004

Yes, at the top of the brake pedal where it attaches, it levers against a white plasting something or other. When you press the pedal just a little bit, a metal rod pushes in a button that most likely activates the lights (even before the brakes are actually applied, kind of like an early warning system). That spring in there is very strong on mine. I tried using something to get up in there to try and push the button in further than the metal rod would push it, but the spring was too strong to push in with a ball point pen.

(Just checked and verified all of this)

I don't think that is it b/c I don't see how that metal rod could roll over the button to get it to engage any further.

Other ideas?

Wingnut · March 23, 2004

The spring was the problem in mine, it was making the lights stay on, not stay off like you are describing.

What I was inferring, was maybe it was the same mechanism that was giving you fits. Somehow not letting the signal get through at all.

If you have a volt meter, heck, even a test light.... I would get a beer, a creeper, and a kid (the neighbors kid will do fine, do NOT get a woman). Start at the pedal, and work your way back testing every connection you can find.

Oh, the kid is for stomping on the pedal every time you find a new spot to test....No women, because they get bored, and assume that you don't know what you are doing, will complain about their leg getting tired, and tell jokes about this to your friends for years to come.

Just tossing out idears.

TX-TahoeLtd · March 23, 2004

Good deal! Thanks for the info.

Hopefully, wife won't get a ticket while I'm gone.

Keep the idears rollin' in, I'll keep tally on them while I'm on the road and try my hand at this when I get back. Probably do the serpentine belt as well as change the plugs.

Random ??...

Can't seem to find any online retailers for serpentine belts, idears on that? Just looking to get a ballpark price...

Thanks!

Wingnut · March 23, 2004

Last belt I bought was $20 at a local store.

If you have the part number though, you could go to gmpartsdirect.com, they should be able to get one out to you.

ness5575 · March 23, 2004

my brake lights stopped working afew years back. there is a relay underneath the steering wheel that went bad - it is white plastic and it looked like the inside exploded. the white plastic was all bulged out. this also stopped my horn from working.

i got my serp belt and tensioner at www.autozone.com

got a goodyear gatorback, and it was right around $20-25.