94 - no brake lights

[margaretia]

i've got a 94 cutlass supreme and the brake lights don't work. when i press the brake pedal, the high stop light works just not the back ones. the turn signals work and so do the back up lights. i've changed the turn signal flasher and the bulbs and still nothing. any ideas? and yes, i've search the forum and not found my answer...

[ozoneblue]

Try turning on the Hazard flashers ,They are on the same curcit ,If they flash in front or are on & not the back check connection in trunk area ,They are two seperate flashers .Also 3rd brake light is seperated at the switch

[margaretia]

all the flashers work... and the turn signals work... front and back... so now what?

[ozoneblue]

check the plug at T/S harness with 12 volt test light white wire should be stop light input this often burns out. also check the harness under carpet ,these wires break often ,mainly on 4 dr cars,Also do your hazards cancel when you depress the brake

[margaretia]

ok... this is gonna sound stupid. what's the T/S harness??? the car is a 2 dr convertible... i turned of the hazards and they don't cancel when i depress the brake... but the brake lights worked for a minute after i shut off the hazards and then when i depressed the hazard again the brake lights quit working again...

[ozoneblue]

The T/S harness is the wireing form the Turn Signal switch located around lower part of steering column It has a long narrow black plug on the end of it

[margaretia]

what does it mean if the hazards cancel, btw? mine don't but curious now that you've said this... i'm getting under there today and gonna check the T/S harness tho... thank you tons!!! you've been a lot of help!!! muah!

[margaretia]

ok.... i can't find the d@mn thing! aagghhh!!! found something with a white wire, but nothing seems to be loose. did i tell you the brake lights worked for a bit when i messed with the hazard lights switch???

[ozoneblue]

Check the plug with the white wire unplug it look for burn spot at connector . unfortunaly sounds like bad switch,Did you get a test light? handyest purchace for automotive use under $10 I will try to guide you through this .Larry

[margaretia]

i have a test light... am i checking just where the white wire plugs in to the little connector is or trace it to the bigger wire harness?

[ozoneblue]

Do you have power there? with pedel pushed down? If so S/L S/W is ok .you should have power to 3 wires comming out 1 yel 1 grn & dont rember the 3rd without getting book out Larry

[margaretia]

ok... i did that thing ~ pulling on the t/s without it turning on the high beams and the brake lights work (as long as i'm pulling on it)... please tell me there is some way to fix this without having to pull off the steering wheel! i found a website that shows me how to do this but sheesh! what a pain!

[ozoneblue]

Sorry no quick fix.You will need a couple of special tools to do this job Wheel puller & a lock ring spring compressor.some parts stores will loan these out

[margaretia]

so does this sound like its just a loose connection or do i need to get a new t/s switch???

[ozoneblue]

Noyhing really to get loose just worn you might try spraying with electrial cleaner while working all moving parts ,might get lucky & the contacts just dirty.