Jeep Gladiator 3rd Brake Light Not Working (Diagnosis and Fixes)
So you have just discovered that your Jeep Gladiator 3rd brake light is not working. You’ve tried everything to solve this issue but it doesn’t go away. And you’re now looking for ideas on how to fix it. If that’s you, this guide is going to help you out.
Jeep Gladiator 3rd brake light not working usually has something to do with a blown bulb. However, there are other potential causes behind this problem such as wiring problems, a blown fuse and relay, or bad connectors. Having your car diagnosed will help you pinpoint the exact cause.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to diagnose and fix a faulty Jeep Gladiator 3rd brake light. You’ll discover all the possible reasons behind your Jeep stop lamp not working. We’ll also share helpful tips for fixing this problem.
Jeep Gladiator 3rd brake light not working causes
If your Jeep Gladiator 3rd brake light is not working, there are several potential culprits to consider as outlined below:
A bad bulb
The most common reason behind your Jeep Gladiator’s third brake light not working is due to a blown or burned-out bulb.
Just like the bulbs in your housing, your bulbs can die with time. When this happens, the light will definitely stop illuminating when you press the brake pedal.
If you haven’t changed your brake light bulb for a long time and the light suddenly stops malfunctioning, the first place to check is whether the bulb is bad.
Sometimes, you may also have recently installed a bulb but you didn’t do it correctly.
In this case, you’d want to try and remove and reinsert the bulb to see if it starts working correctly.
Fuse issues
Your Jeep third brake light comes with a separate fuse that is related to it. If this fuse becomes blown, it will also cause the brake light to stop working.
If you suspect your car has a blown fuse for the third brake light, you’ll need to get to it and inspect it.
By holding the fuse against light, you should be able to check the wire inside. If it looks damaged or broken, then the fuse is faulty and needs to be replaced.
Loose or damaged wiring
Issues with the wiring that leads to your third brake light could also be behind the center high-mount stop light failing to illuminate.
We, therefore, advise you to check the wires leading to this brake light for loose connections, fraying, wear, and other signs of damage.
If you spot any wire with any kind of damage, repair or replace it as necessary.
Still at it, a short in any of the wires related to your 3rd brake light will also lead to this stop light failing to function.
Bad connectors
You should also check if the connectors for your third brake light have issues that are causing the brake light to stop working.
These connectors are essential for completing the circuit, so if they get faulty, they will lead to incomplete electrical power flow, causing a malfunctioning light.
It’s common for these connectors to go bad over time, especially if not taken care of.
In most cases, they get dirty, tarnished, or even corroded, causing incomplete power flow. Simply cleaning these connectors can help fix your 3rd brake light issue.
What to do if Jeep Gladiator 3rd brake light is not working
In this section, we’ll discuss our troubleshooting guide to help you uncover the cause behind your third brake light not working.
Inspect the brake light bulb
For this step, you’ll need to access the third brake light housing to get to the bulb. Check if the bulb looks darkened or broken filament inside.
If yes, you have just found the culprit. If the bulb looks alright, try removing it and repositioning it in the socket and then test it to see if it works.
Inspect the wiring
Ensure that none of the wires related to the brake light are worn, damaged, or loose. Look out for any disconnected wires as well. If you discover any wiring problems, reconnect or fix them as necessary.
Clean the connectors
If the wiring is alright, then the problem probably lies in the connectors behind the third brake light assembly. Tighten any loose or disconnected connectors. Clean corroded connectors to enable them to complete the circuit. Fix any other issue related to the connectors.
Check the fuses
If you haven’t found the problem yet, check the fuse for the brake light in the fuse box. You should take the fuse out using a fuse puller and then check the wire inside.
If it is damaged/broken, then you have a blown fuse. Replace the old fuse with a new fuse with the same rating as the old one.
Take your Jeep to a mechanic
Have you tried all the above steps and can’t still find the cause of your Jeep problem?
At this point, you should just take your car to your mechanic for a thorough diagnosis and fixing of the underlying issue.
Troubleshooting electrical-related problems in your Jeep can sometimes be challenging, so seeking professional help can come in handy.
If your Jeep Wrangler is still under warranty, you should also consider taking it to your dealership for fixing at no fee.
Jeep Gladiator third brake light replacement guide:
If the brake light bulb is the problem, then you’ll need to replace it with a new one. Luckily, you can do this easy DIY fix on your own with the right tools at hand.
Things you’ll need:
- Screwdriver
- Replacement bulb
Directions:
Step 1. Remove the screws/fasteners securing the third brake light housing in place with the help of a screwdriver or socket wrench. This unscrewing should detach the housing from your car.
Step 2. After the housing is detached, gently disconnect the electrical connector that feeds power to the third brake light.
Step 3. Remove the old bulb.
Step 4. Now install the new bulb and ensure you properly insert it in the socket.
Step 5. Reconnect the electrical connector, align the housing with its mounting holes, and then reattach the mounting screws and securely tighten them.
Step 6. Finally, test the brake light to ensure it functions properly. This is as simple as having someone press the brake pedal while you stand at the rear of your car and verify that the light comes on.
This video takes you through the whole jeep gladiator third brake light replacement process:
Video:
Where is the Jeep Gladiator third brake light fuse?
If you can’t seem to figure out the location of your Jeep Gladiator’s third brake light fuse, this is your part.
The fuse for the Jeep Gladiator third brake light is usually located in the fuse box, which usually sits inside the cabin under your dash, on the driver’s side.
However, note that the fuse box location may vary depending on your car model year and trim level.
It may be tucked under the hood in some model years. Check out this guide for more info about fuse locations in Jeep Gladiators from 2020 onwards.
Once you’ve located the brake light fuse, you can carefully pull it out using a fuse puller or needle nose pliers to get the fuse out for inspection.
If the fuse is blown (i.e., the wire strip inside is broken or melted), you’ll need to replace it with a new one with the same rating.
If you’re unsure about your car’s third brake light location or identification, we advise you to consult your manual. You can also consult your dealer or a certified Jeep technician.
Here’s a video with helpful info about Jeep Gladiator fuse box location.
Video:
Do you need a third brake light on a Jeep?
Yes, you need to have the third brake light functioning properly on your Jeep.
The third brake light, also known as CHMSL (center high-mounted stop light) acts as an additional safety feature that alerts drivers behind you when you apply brakes.
Having the light on is also a legal requirement in most states. It can come in handy to communicate your intentions with other drivers.
For instance, if the primary brake light is obstructed, e.g. in heavy traffic or bad weather, or the driver is too distracted to see them.
If your Jeep Gladiator was equipped with this stop light by the manufacturer, disabling or removing it can result in a violation of traffic laws.
If your Jeep lacks the third brake light, it can even fail to pass the state inspection.
Overall, the light gives additional warning to other drivers behind you, helping reduce the risk of being rear-ended and other types of accidents.
Therefore, we advise you to fix this light if it starts to malfunction.
Can a bad brake light switch make the 3rd brake light stop working?
A bad brake light switch is less likely to make the third brake light malfunction. This is especially true if the primary stoplights are illuminating. This is a sign that the brake light is functioning correctly.
However, if the other brake lights plus the 3rd brake light aren’t functioning, then you sure need to check if your brake light switch is damaged or misadjusted and fix it accordingly.
FAQs:
You can check if your Jeep Gladiator third brake light is functioning by having someone press the brake pedal while you stand at the rear to observe the light. If it comes on, then the light is in good working condition.
To fix a third brake light on your Jeep Gladiator, first check if the bulb is bad and replace it. If the bulb has no issues, inspect the wiring connections for the brake light for damaged or loose wires and fix them as necessary. Also, check if the fuse is blown and replace it if necessary.
Yes, the Jeep Gladiate has a separate fuse for the third brake light. This fuse is usually located inside the fuse box of your car. You check our section above on how to locate and identify the third brake light fuse.
Conclusion
When your Jeep Gladiator 3rd brake light stops working, several potential culprits that could be behind this problem. These include a blown brake light bulb, wiring problems, loose or bad connectors, or a blown fuse. However, the bulb is most often the culprit, so you should always start by inspecting it.
If the bulb isn’t the problem, you can then move on to the other potential causes as we’ve discussed in the above guide. If you can’t fix this issue on your own, we advise you to consult a qualified Jeep technician. Alternatively, you can take your car to the dealership if it’s still under warranty.
