Brake Lights not working

[brentskibikeski]

Hey Everyone,

While my girlfriend was driving behind me the other day she noticed that my brake lights weren't working. I investigated and found that none of the fuses were blown and the tail lights and turn signals were working fine. It was just my brake lights.

I did notice a clicking noise coming from my hatch on the right side every time I pushed the brake pedal in. I found the noise was coming from a relay of some sort (I've included a photo). After chatting with a mechanic they told me it was and aftermarket add-on for a trailer, except my tercel never came with a hitch. Could this be the culprit? Is it indeed an aftermarket part? Should I remove it and rewire it?

Thanks in advance!

[Petros]

or perhaps some after market cruise control off switch? usually these do not interfere with the normal brake light operation.

check if you have 12 volts getting to the rear brake lights when the pedal is pressed just to make sure. it is possible both lights have burned out. Also the switch on the brake pedal that turns on the brake lite can wear out, it is a simple replacement, easy test with a volt meter. easy replacement too.

if both of these checks to not solve the problem you can remove this device as need be (just make sure you do not need it for anything still on the car). it should be easy to get the wires back in order if they were just cut, match the color up and splice back together.

[marlinh]

That is an aftermarket trailer light module for imports. Remove it and your lights should work.

[irowiki]

One of the tercels I saved also has a fancy box for the brake lights in the back, but no hitch as well. I assume the hitch was probably removed to be reused on another car.

[brentskibikeski]

Replace the switch and removed the aftermarket trailer light module, still nothing. I'm going take another go at it today.

[irowiki]

Are you sure the bulbs and sockets are fine?

[brentskibikeski]

Bulbs work when my taillights are turned on, they just don't get brighter.

[dlb]

like petros mentioned above, test the switch at the brake pedal. i would bypass it and connect the wires manually while you have someone behind the car to tell you if the brake lights are coming on.

[brentskibikeski]

like petros mentioned above, test the switch at the brake pedal. i would bypass it and connect the wires manually while you have someone behind the car to tell you if the brake lights are coming on.

Tried it and nothing, unfortunately this problem seems to be deeper then the switch itself.

[dlb]

this is unlikely but possible--the second filaments in the both brake light bulbs might be broken. they have a primary filament that lights up for the running lights, and the second one lights up when the brakes are applied. so take a close look at both bulbs and maybe try replacing them anyway. i've had lots of bad bulbs that look fine, and they're cheap.

failing that, i get the volt meter out and narrow down exactly where the voltage is not getting through. tedious stuff.

[brentskibikeski]

Appreciate the help with this everyone! I'll let you know the outcome.

[marlinh]

If you heard clicking at that box you should be getting power to it. Check that with a multimeter or a test light. If it lights up there then you have eliminated the front of the vehicle. Those bulbs are double filament and they can look good and not work. Also the socket may not have good contact. You can check for power at the base of the socket too.

[brentskibikeski]

Turned out to be the tail-light rely, got a new one and it solved the problem.