Brake Light Won’t Turn On: How To Resolve The Issue

If your car is having an issue where the brake light won’t turn on, you’re probably panicking and looking for answers as to why this happens and what you can do about it. Luckily, this guide will provide you with all the answers you seek.

Brake light won’t turn can be caused by several issues such as bad bulbs, bad fuse, poor ground connection, faulty brake light switch, defective turn signal switch, and brake light wiring issues. If you can’t find the underlying problem, consult a certified auto mechanic for further assistance.

This article discusses more in-depth details on why your brake lights won’t come on and how to diagnose and fix this issue. Moreover, we have discussed why brake lights won’t work but tail lights are, why one brake light not working but the bulb is good, and so on.

Brake Light Won’t Turn On: Most Common Causes

Brake lights failing to turn on in your car can be caused by various factors. In this part, we’ll delve into deeper details about the most common causes of this issue.

Blown fuse

One of the most common reasons behind brake lights not working is a blown brake light fuse.

The fuse usually sits in the fuse box on your dash or under the hood and is pretty easy to inspect. Simply remove it and hold it up to light.

If you see that the wire inside is broken, then the fuse is blown and you need to replace it with a new one. Make sure you replace the blown fuse with a new one that features the same amperage as the old one.

However, it may be hard to figure out which fuse is for your brake light, so we recommend consulting your owner’s manual for more info.

Bad bulbs

Another reason why your brake light isn’t working could be something to do with a blown bulb. This is especially the case for older vehicle models.

Newer car models usually come with LED lights, which tend to last longer.

If you press the brake pedals and the brake lights fail to come on, you’d want to check if your light bulbs are burned out.

To inspect your brake light bulb, simply remove your car’s tail light back cover by simply opening your car truck.

With the help of a screwdriver, remove the bulb and check if it’s blown out (i.e., it has turned black or you can see a broken filament inside). If the bulb is bad, replace it with a new one.

Faulty brake light switch

A bad brake light switch is another reason your brake lights won’t come on. This is especially true if both your car brake lights aren’t functioning.

For starters, the brake light switch is a simple component that gets activated whenever you press the brake pedal. If it fails, it affects the brake lights’ functionality.

Wiring problems

You may also want to inspect the wiring, as it could be another reason behind your brake lights not working.

Check the wiring to brake light switch from fuse panel and the one to bulb sockets from switch.

Essentially, you should be checking if there are any loose connections or whether the bub housing has corrosion.

If you find issues with any of these components, have them replaced to see if it solves the problem.

Failing turn signal switch

In some vehicle models, the brake light circuit may be connected to the turn signal switch.

This means if the switch becomes damaged or gets faulty, it will make the brake light stop working.

Using your switch wiring diagram, locate the wire connecting the turn signal switch and the brake light.

Access the turn signal switch electrical connector and activate brake light switch by simply depressing the brake pedal.

At the same time, back probe the wire with a test light. If the test light fails to come on, then you’ll want to replace this wire.

Bad electrical ground

A faulty electrical ground (referred to as switch-provided ground in some cars) is also known to cause the brake light to malfunction.

If you have checked your bulbs, fuse, and brake light switch, and can’t seem to find any problem with them, inspect the electrical ground of your car.

Grounding issues usually occur due to corrosion, loose wire connections, or damaged wire ends.

To check your car for grounding problems, simply use a ground wire to establish a connection between the light switch and good ground.

Next, press the brake pedal. Have a friend stand behind your car while pressing the pedal to see if the brake lights come on or not.

If the brake light comes on, then you have electrical grounding problems that require fixing.

What To Do If Your Brake Light Won’t Turn On?

Once you have confirmed that your vehicle brake light isn’t working, you’ll need to carry out a diagnosis to find out the exact cause behind this problem.

As we have just discussed above, there are many potential causes behind this issue, so a diagnosis is necessary to uncover what you’re dealing with.

Here are some helpful tips for diagnosing malfunctioning brake lights:

• Inspect the bulbs: The first step is to inspect your brake light bulbs. Get the bulbs out of their housing and inspect them for signs of damage and blown filaments. Be sure to replace any bad bulbs with new ones.
• Inspect the bulb sockets: While still at the bulbs, be sure to check the sockets for any signs of corrosion and melted plastic. Make sure the bulb is clean as it could also lead to brake light issues.
• Check the fuses: Next, you’d want to check whether your brake light fuse is burned out. Access the fuse and hold it to light. If the metal strip inside looks broken/melted, the fuse is burned and needs a replacement.
• Test the brake light switch: Locate the brake light switch in your car. It is usually located near the brake pedal, up near the firewall. Once you have it in sight, have a friend depress the brake pedal while you keenly listen to the switch. Does it produce a clicking sound? If not, then the switch is most likely defective and needs a replacement.
• Inspect the wiring: Carefully analyze the wiring harness connecting to brake lights. Be on the lookout for visible damages such as loose connections, frayed wires, corrosion, etc., and do the necessary repairs and replacements.

If you go through the above troubleshooting tips and still can’t resolve the issue, we advise you to get a certified auto mechanic or auto electrician to diagnose and fix your car’s problem.

The video below takes you through the DIY process for diagnosing your vehicle’s malfunctioning brake light

Video:

Why Are My Brake Lights Not Working But My Tail Lights Are?

If your brake lights are not working but your tail lights are, there could be a few possible causes behind it.

One such cause could be a burned-out brake light fuse which will need to be replaced.

It could also be caused by bad brake light bulbs, bad sockets, connectors, faulty brake light switch, or wiring problems.

If you check all these areas and still can’t find the problem, then you may need to take your car in for diagnosis by a professional.

A reputable auto mechanic with years of experience will be able to easily find the reason your car brake lights are not working while tail lights are in perfect working condition.

Why One Brake Light Not Working But Bulb Is Good?

If one of your vehicle’s brake lights is not working but the bulb is good, there could be several culprits behind the problem.

For instance, you’d want to inspect the socket where the bulb is connected. Is it damaged, corroded, or has a loose connection? If yes, you’ll need to repair or replace it as necessary.

A wrongly installed bulb could also be the reason behind this issue. Try pulling out the bulb and reinserting it back in.

Ensure it sits in the socket correctly and makes proper connections with electrical terminals.

You should also inspect your car’s wiring, or simply the brake light circuit. Look out for any damaged wires, corroded wires, or loose connections, and repair/replace them to restore the brake light function.

Also, verify that your car’s ground connection for brake light is secure and corrosion-free.

Poor ground connection can cause the brake light to stop functioning correctly. Clean and tighten the light ground connection as necessary.

Why Brake Lights Not Working But Turn Signals Are?

Sometimes your brake lights will stop functioning but the turn signals are still working correctly. This problem also has a few potential causes.

For instance, a bad fuse for brake lights can cause the brake lights to stop working while the turn signals continue working correctly.

Burned brake light bulbs are another potential cause. Replacing them can help solve this issue.

Faulty brake light switch may also be to blame for this problem. Test your vehicle brake light and replace it with a new one if necessary.

If the wiring harness connecting to brake lights has problems, it may also stop the lights from functioning.

If you check all these possibilities and your brake lights still won’t work, then you should consult a qualified auto mechanic for professional assistance.

Why Are Both Brake Lights Not Working?

If both brake lights are not working in your car, the most likely causes are similar to those we discussed earlier for a single brake light not working.

These include a bad brake light switch (this is the most common cause), burned-out bulbs, wiring problems, poor ground connection, and fuse problems.

Try diagnosing these areas to see if you can find out the problem making your car brake lights malfunction.

If none of this helps, do not hesitate to take in your car for diagnosis by a professional.

If you’re experiencing a situation where the brake light won’t turn on, you may also find our article on brake light comes on when accelerating helpful. This article explores the possible causes and provides troubleshooting steps for a brake light that comes on unexpectedly during acceleration. Additionally, if you’re noticing both the brake light and battery light on simultaneously, our article on brake and battery light on discusses potential reasons and suggests actions to address this issue.

FAQs:

Why won’t my brake light turn on?

If your brake light won’t turn on, there could be several reasons behind it. These include a bad bulb, bad brake light switch, wiring problems, blown fuse, and poor ground connection. Diagnosing your car is key to helping you pinpoint the exact cause of this problem.

What does it mean if my brake lights won’t turn off?

If your brake lights won’t turn off, you may have a malfunctioning brake light switch that fails to deactivate the lights when you release the brake pedal. Have your brake light tested and fixed to ensure safe driving.

Which fuse is the brake light fuse?

The brake light fuse varies depending on your car make and model, so it is best to consult your owner’s manual for more info on this fuse. However, the fuse is generally labeled “stop lights” in fuse box.

Conclusion

When faced with the issue of brake lights not turning on, there are several areas to look into, as they’re commonly associated with this problem. These areas include bad brake light bulbs, burned-out brake light fuse, faulty brake light switch, wiring issues, poor ground connection, and malfunctioning the turn signal switch.

By following the troubleshooting tips wave outlined in this article, you can diagnose your vehicle and find out the exact cause behind this problem. If you fail to pinpoint the reason for malfunctioning brake lights, we advise you to call a qualified auto mechanic or auto electrician to diagnose your car and resolve the issue for you.