#3 Brake light not working actionable tips
Never underestimate the condition of a failed car brake light, either one-sided failure or both sides. Underestimating the failure of the brake lights can result in an accident while driving. Yes, brake lights are not just mere decoration of lights, but as important signal lights and as information to other drivers that the car we are driving will stop or reduce its speed.
Can you imagine, what will happen when we brake the car and the brake light does not turn on while behind us is a fast-moving vehicle?
To avoid this, we must always check the condition of the brake lights before driving. If you find the car's brake light goes out, you should immediately make repairs before traveling. So here are #3 brake light not working actionable tips that you can perform.
1. Check the brake lights bulb and sockets
The first step that needs to be done when the brakes light not working is to check the condition of the brake light bulb. Faulty brake light bulb can make all car brake lights go out or just light up on one side.
Only a few cases of faulty brake light bulbs are happening together and make the brake light not working. To ensure this, we need to check the condition of the brake light bulb carefully.
Here are some signs of faulty brake light bulb :
- The filament in the brake light bulb is broken
- The color of the brake light bulb turns black burnt
- The glass on the brake light bulb breaks
The best solution for faulty brake light bulb is to replace them with new ones. But make sure the type and size of the replacement brake light bulb is in accordance with the original specifications.
Another step that needs to be done when checking the brake light bulb is to pay attention to the condition of the brake light socket. Look at the socket condition carefully against rust and broken terminal.
The broken brake light socket is often found, making the brake lights not turn on even though the brake lights are new and in good conditions.
2. Check the brake light fuse
The brake light fuse will secure the electrical lines on the brake system. If there is an overflow of electricity in the electrical circuit on the brake system, the fuse will break. A broken fuse will make both brake lights go out.
The location and position of the fuse on each vehicle is different, some are mounted on the fuse box inside the cabin, and some are located in the engine compartment. Fuses for brake lights generally have a current size of 10A with a code that says STOP, BRAKE, or something like that.
Look at the condition of the fuse for this brake light carefully, if it looks like a burnt mark, broken, or not connected between the connectors, then replace the fuse with a new one and according to its size.
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3. Check the brake light switch
A broken brake light switch will generally make both brake lights on the right and left turn off. If you find the brake lights are not working on both sides, the quickest way to fix them is to check the brake light switch.
The brake light switch is generally located just above the brake pedal. Try lowering your head near the brake pedal and notice the brake light switch position. This brake light switch usually has two cables installed.
Here's a simple steps to check the brake light switch
- Make sure the ignition key is in off position
- Prepare a 10 cm cable with both ends open, or you can use papper clips, or other flexible objects that are electrically conductive
- Release the brake light switch socket by unlock the pin and pull out the socket
- Hold the brake light switch, and pay attention to the two connectors inside
- Connect the two connectors carefully with a cable that has been prepared before
- Turn the ignition key into ACC position
- Look at the brake lights and watch the results as below:
- If both brake lights are on, the problem lies in the brake light switch
- If both brake lights are off, the problem lies with the other brake electrical components
Many cases occur, after the brake light switch is directly connected, the brake light stays off. If this happens, it's time for you to do a circuit check on the electrical diagram of the brake lights for your car.
This means that there has been a problem regarding the electrical system of your car's brake lights. For example: socket is disconnected, cable connection is lost, or due to other problems.
If you do not have the circuit diagram, you should immediately go to your car's official dealer or to a repair shop that has a special electrical diagram of your car types and along with a reliable technician.