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Brake lights not working. Please help

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by bennett03t4r, Nov 14, 2017.

  1. Nov 14, 2017 at 1:47 PM
    #1
    bennett03t4r

    bennett03t4r [OP] New Member

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    Bennett
    Kentucky
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    Weather tech liners, kenwood head unit, blacked out badges, & painted wheels
    I have a 2003 limited 4Runner and I have a problem. My brake lights aren't working and I'm at a loss for what it could be. I replaced the fuse (it was blown), I replaced the brake pedal switch, I check the brake light sockets and I'm getting power, the bulbs look fine, but still no lights. Any suggestions would be extremely helpful. Thank you, Bennett.
     
  2. Nov 14, 2017 at 3:06 PM
    #2
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

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    Dan
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    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    not sure but is there another fuse box under the hood as well? Can you test the brake pedal switch and make sure it is working and not a factory dud?

    ** edit**

    found this on another site:

     
  3. Nov 14, 2017 at 4:31 PM
    #3
    bennett03t4r

    bennett03t4r [OP] New Member

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    Weather tech liners, kenwood head unit, blacked out badges, & painted wheels
    I went ahead and replaced the 10A stop fuse under the hood and the IG1 fuse under the left side of the steering column. Still nothing. I did notice my third brake light isn't even lighting up for a running light, would this be a cause of it?
     
  4. Nov 14, 2017 at 4:52 PM
    #4
    Anymouse

    Anymouse New Member

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    I'm not a mechanic at all. Have you taken a multimeter to the system? Check your switch, the bulbs and so on.
     
  5. Nov 14, 2017 at 4:56 PM
    #5
    bennett03t4r

    bennett03t4r [OP] New Member

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    Bennett
    Kentucky
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    2003 silver 4Runner limited
    Weather tech liners, kenwood head unit, blacked out badges, & painted wheels
    I checked the bulbs, any idea on how to check if the switch is working?
     
  6. Nov 14, 2017 at 5:08 PM
    #6
    Anymouse

    Anymouse New Member

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    Again, I'm not a mechanic. I'd take out the switch and check the ohms. If you trigger the switch and it changes, the switch should be good. I'd check the connector and see if you're getting voltage. If yes and the switch works, check the sockets in the back. I've also seen grounds come loose and cause wiring trouble.
     
  7. Nov 14, 2017 at 5:34 PM
    #7
    bennett03t4r

    bennett03t4r [OP] New Member

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    2003 silver 4Runner limited
    Weather tech liners, kenwood head unit, blacked out badges, & painted wheels
    Alright I will check it first thing in the morning and report back with results! Thank you!
     
  8. Nov 15, 2017 at 8:36 AM
    #8
    RonT4R

    RonT4R New Member

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    Sounds like you are missing a ground somewhere in the circuit.
     
    Bob likes this.
  9. Nov 15, 2017 at 1:46 PM
    #9
    bennett03t4r

    bennett03t4r [OP] New Member

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    Weather tech liners, kenwood head unit, blacked out badges, & painted wheels
    Possibly a stupid question, but I'm not very electrically inclined compared to my mechanical skill. How would I check if the ground is working and would the bulbs light up as running lights if it was not?
     
  10. Nov 16, 2017 at 4:34 AM
    #10
    RonT4R

    RonT4R New Member

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    First thing I would check is the wiring around your tow hitch, especially if it's not factory installed.
     
  11. Nov 21, 2017 at 2:28 PM
    #11
    bennett03t4r

    bennett03t4r [OP] New Member

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    Bennett
    Kentucky
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    2003 silver 4Runner limited
    Weather tech liners, kenwood head unit, blacked out badges, & painted wheels
    It's the factory tow package. Where do the grounds for the brake lights run to?
     

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