Lower brake lights not working.

[blodi]

I did a search, but couldn't find any one with my exact issue.
I noticed yesterday while following my own car on a meet/drive that my brake lights were not working, the spoiler led is working just fine, but none of the lower taillight brake lights come on. The signals work, the taillights come on when you turn on the headlights, but no brake lights. I looked at the fuses and checked the one on that says "brake light/horn" but it was fine and the horn works fine. The warning lamp in the dash has never come on either.
Any ideas?

 

[blodi]

I am really stumped. I looked over all the fuses again. Even swapped the taillight relay for the power window relay. Nothing. I checked the bulbs. They look fine, so I checked the voltage at the bulb connections. The taillight post has voltage when the taillights are on but, no brake light voltage at all when the brake is depressed. I uplugged the maing taillight wiring connector and plugged it back in hoping it might reseat it. Nothing.
The wierd part is the spoiler brake light works fine. What else can I check?

 

[blodi]

Figured it out! A few weeks ago I had a small ding removed in the drivers side fender. The dude wanted to try to get to it through the trunk and pulled back the trunk liner only to realize he couldn't get to it from there....in the process he managed to unhook a single wire connection...so I found that...and bingo..brake lights!
Man, I am happy I figured that out. It was driving me nuts. At least I know now every single fuse in the car is fine!

 

[sca037]

Glad to hear that (once found!), it was an easy fix

Brian

 

[mbienek]

Figured it out! A few weeks ago I had a small ding removed in the drivers side fender. The dude wanted to try to get to it through the trunk and pulled back the trunk liner only to realize he couldn't get to it from there....in the process he managed to unhook a single wire connection...so I found that...and bingo..brake lights!
Man, I am happy I figured that out. It was driving me nuts. At least I know now every single fuse in the car is fine!

You don't happen to remember which single connection that was, do you? I'm having the exact same brake light problem without being able to find the problematic wire.

 

[mbienek]

It's great that these forums really help to motivate: after seeing the above, I followed all of the light harness paths in the trunk to find ONE loose connection: I'm assuming this is a brake light controller of some sort?


I'll just leave this here in case this helps the next guy.

 

[sca037]

This is why it's still important to post these things here (a searchable Forum) instead of FB or whatever, an answer from 9 years ago is right there when needed!