Dodge Ram Third Brake Light Not Working
When you press your Dodge Ram brake pedal, you expect all your brake lights, including the third one, to illuminate. However, in some cases, the third one may fail to illuminate. So, what causes this strange behavior?
Dodge Ram third brake light not working is usually due to a blown third brake light bulb. Other potential causes behind this problem include a blown fuse, faulty wiring, and faulty brake light assembly.
This article discusses the issue of your Dodge Ram’s third brake light not working in full detail. We’ll share with you all the common causes behind this issue and how to fix it.
Dodge Ram Third Brake Light Not Working Causes
Several causes could be behind your truck brake light not working. In this section, we get into deeper details about how each of these factors affects this light functionality.
Burned out bulb
This is the most common reason for your stoplight to fail to illuminate. Over time, your brake light bulb dies, meaning it cannot produce light when you press the brake pedals. Electrical issues may also cause the bulb to burn out.
Since the bulb makes an essential part of your truck’s third brake light assembly, it is necessary to replace it when it burns out.
Wiring problems
If the third brake light on your Dodge Ram isn’t working, you may also want to check whether there are any wiring issues behind this issue.
For instance, the wires leading to the third brake light may become loose or disconnected. This may happen due to accidents, improper installations, or vibrations.
This will cause an interruption in electrical flow and thus keep the light from working.
The wires may also get damaged due to normal tear and wear, exposure to elements, or accidents. Sometimes the wiring may be cut, frayed, or corroded.
Any of these scenarios will result in electrical connection disruption, making the light start malfunctioning.
Short-circuiting can also happen when two or more wires get into contact (but they’re not supposed to) leading to abnormal electrical flow.
This will also affect the light normal functionality. The short circuits are also notorious for blowing fuses and damaging wiring, which can also cause the third brake light to stop working.
Blown fuse
As you may already know, your truck’s electrical system involves a variety of fuses that protect different circuits, including those for brake lights.
Precisely, the Dodge Ram’s third brake light has its own separate fuse.
Now, if this particular fuse blows, it disrupts the electrical flow to this brake light, making it impossible for the light to illuminate.
The fuse may blow up following a short-circuiting, power surge, or even a faulty component in your circuit.
In this case, you’ll need to replace the blown fuse with a new one that has the same amperage rating as the old fuse.
Faulty third brake light assembly
Though not as common, having a faulty or damaged 3rd brake light assembly may also make your car stop working.
If you still can’t figure out what is causing your light to fail, we advise you to inspect the assembly for signs of cracks, physical damage, or moisture buildup.
All these can lead to electrical connection disruption and keep your light from working properly.
If the assembly looks compromised in any way, it’s advisable to replace the entire housing to see if it solves the problem.
What To Do If Dodge Ram Third Brake Light Is Not Working
Finding out what is causing your truck brake light to stop working is crucial. It helps you resolve the underlying issue and get the stoplights running as expected.
Below are key steps for diagnosing your failing brake light for the underlying issue:
- Check the bulb: The first step for diagnosing your is to check the bulb for damages or if it has blown. If the bulb is bad, replace it with a new one. Ensure you get the correct replacement bulb and that it sits correctly in its socket.
- Re-install the bulb: If the bulb looks okay, try removing it and then reinserting it, making sure it sits correctly in the socket.
- Check the socket: check if it has colors like green or rust. If yes, clean it to remove any corrosion or dirt causing electrical flow interaction.
- Inspect the fuse: Next, inspect the third brake light fuse in your truck’s fuse box. Test it for continuity with a multimeter. If the fuse is bad, replace it with a new one with the same rating as the old one.
- Inspect your wiring connections: Now check all the cables leading to the third brake light for issues like disconnections, cuts, damage, etc. In case of any issues, repair or replace them as necessary. Reconnect any loose or disconnected wires and connectors.
- Check your brake light assembly: If the problem isn’t yet gone, you’d want to inspect your third brake light housing for any signs of damage that could cause a disruption in electrical flow. If the assembly is bad, replace it with a new one.
If you checked all the areas discussed above and your third brake light is still malfunctioning, we recommend you take your truck to your dealership or a qualified technician for further assistance.
Why Is The 2014 Ram 1500 Third Brake Light Not Working?
We also noticed most 2014 Ram 1500 truck owners complaining about their brake lights not working. The causes behind this issue aren’t different from those in other Ram model years.
When dealing with this issue, you should check the following key areas of your truck:
- The third brake light bulb is blown
- Blown third brake light fuse
- If the wires leading to the brake light are worn or damaged
- Short-circuiting in wires for the brake light
- Loose or disconnected wires and connectors
If you’ve checked all the above areas but are still not able to resolve the issue, have the dealership or auto technician diagnose your car and recommend the necessary repairs.
Where Is The Ram 1500 Third Brake Fuse Located?
The fuse for the third brake light is usually located in the fuse box located under the dash on the driver’s side or under the hood, usually in the engine compartment or near the battery.
The location can vary depending on the specific Ram 1500 model and trim level.
You can consult your user manual for more detailed info on the location of the fuse box and dentition of the third brake light fuse.
The manual will also provide you with the third brake light fuse wiring diagram and how it is labeled for easier identification.
A certified Ram dealership can also help you locate the third brake light fuse.
The inside part of the fuse box covers also features a wiring diagram for various fuses. Look for the fuse labeled third brake light or CHMSL (stands for Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp).
Now that you have identified the specific fuse you were looking for, you can go ahead and pull it out for inspection.
You can use a multimeter to test it for continuity. A blown fuse usually has a metal strip inside it broken or melted down.
Is The Third Brake Light Important In Dodge Ram?
The third brake light is important to have in your Dodge Ram. This light acts as an additional safety feature for alerting drivers about your intentions to slow down or stop your car.
It promotes improved visibility due to its higher position than primary brake lights.
This makes other drivers see your intentions even more clearly, especially if they’re distracted or the primary stop lights are instructed by weather conditions or other vehicles.
The stop light is also a legal requirement in many jurisdictions, especially if your car was originally equipped with one by the manufacturer.
Your truck will easily fail state inspection if this brake light is not functioning.
Given the importance of this bulb as a safety feature and a legal requirement, you should make sure you fix it as soon you notice it is not working.
How Do You Change Your Dodge Ram Third Brake Light?
If your Dodge Ram third brake light bulb is blown, you will need to replace it with a new one to ensure proper functioning. Here are the general steps to follow to replace the bad bulb:
What you’ll need:
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Replacement bulb
Directions:
Step 1. The first step is to access the blown bulb inside its housing. The assembly is held in place by screws which you can remove using a screwdriver.
Step 2. Once you’ve got access to the burned-out bulb, remove it by simply pulling it out. Take note of the old bulb positioning to help you install the new one correctly.
Step 3. Insert the new bulb into the socket where the old one was and ensure it sits properly in its socket.
Step 4. Reattach the brake light housing using the screws you removed earlier on. Make sure all connections in the assembly are tight and secure.
Step 5. Finally, test your new brake light. Have someone press the brake pedal while you stand at the rear of your car to see if the light illuminates.
We found this helpful video that shows you how to replace the brake light in 09-18 RAM 1500 trucks
Video:
FAQs:
The third brake light on Dodge Ram is usually located at the top center of the rear window or on the rear spoiler. The location varies depending on your car model and year.
The third brake light on a truck goes by the name center high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL). It is so named due to its position at the top center of your truck’s rear window.
The third brake light bulb size in most Ram 1500 models is number 921 or T15 bulb. Be sure to confirm the correct size of bulb for your truck from your owner’s manual or local Ram dealership.
Conclusion
Your Dodge Ram third brake light not working is a common problem that affects different models and makes of this truck. This article has just discussed the most common causes behind this issue, including a bad bulb, blown fuses, damaged wiring, loose connections, and short-circuiting. A faulty third brake light assembly can also interrupt your brake light electrical connections.
We advise you to diagnose your car and fix the underlying issue as soon as possible to minimize the risk of accidents. Follow the troubleshooting steps we have shared in the above article for precise identification and fixing of the underlying problem.
