Tahoe Third Brake Light Not Working (Solved!)
Did your Tahoe third brake light suddenly stop working? Are you frustrated by this situation and looking for answers on what could have caused it? Don’t worry. This guide will offer you helpful suggestions on how to deal with this issue.
Tahoe third brake lights not working are commonly caused by a burned-out third brake light bulb, wiring problems, blown fuse, or malfunctioning brake light switch.
This article discusses everything you need to know about your Tahoe third brake light not working. We’ll cover all the potential causes of this issue. Plus, we have a troubleshooting guide to fix this problem and ensure your light functions as it should.
Tahoe Third Brake Light Not Working Causes:
Tahoe third brake light not working is a common issue among different models of this SUV. To fix this issue, you will first need to know the cause behind it.
Below, we have discussed the most common causes behind this issue:
Burned out bulb
A burned-out bulb is by far the most common culprit behind your malfunctioning third brake light. The brake light bulbs don’t last forever; they become worn out with regular use and eventually burn out.
Once the bulb goes out, it can’t illuminate when you apply the brakes. This issue can be resolved by replacing the blown bulb. You may consult your manual for more info on the correct bulb and replacement guidelines for it.
Wiring problems
If the wiring related to your third brake light is faulty, it can also disrupt how the circuit works and make the light stop illuminating.
The wires can become damaged or undergo normal wear, get exposed to moisture, etc. A break or short in these wires will definitely make the center mount stop light stop functioning.
Faulty connector or socket
Sometimes the socket where the bulb sits or the connector connecting your brake light to the wiring harness could be the problem.
Common issues with sockets or connectors include loose or disconnected connections, corrosion, and physical damage to the socket.
All these are highly likely to disrupt the electrical flow, resulting in a malfunctioning brake light.
Blown fuse
Another common cause for malfunctioning 3rd brake lights is a blown fuse. As you may already, the third brake light in your Chevy Tahoe comes with its own fuse, usually labeled as “VEH CHMSL.”
If this fuse is blown, it disrupts the circuit and prevents electrical power flow from reaching the brake light. This makes the center mount stop light stop working whenever you apply the brakes.
Faulty brake light switch
A faulty brake light switch may also be the reason your brake light is not illuminating.
This component usually sits on top of your brake pedal assembly, under your dash. Its job is to activate the brake lights when the brakes are applied.
If it gets faulty or misadjusted, it may not send the electrical signal to illuminate the brake light, cussing the light to stop working.
Faulty brake light assembly
If you have a damaged third brake light housing, water may easily seep in and cause a shorting of the wires. This is another reason your brake light could be malfunctioning.
Make sure you inspect your third brake light assembly for signs of damage, cracks, or presence of moisture inside. If the housing is bad, replace it with a new one.
What To Do If Tahoe Third Brake Light Is Not Working
If your Chevy Tahoe third brake light is not working, you’ll need to find out the underlying issue behind it and resolve it. This will help restore your lights’ functionality.
Below, we’ll discuss helpful tips to follow to troubleshoot this issue and potentially fix it:
- Start by inspecting if the third brake light bulb is blown. The Tahoe third brake light is usually an LED setup, so you’ll need to replace the entire unit with a new one.
Therefore, the best way to test if the bulb is bad is by putting a voltmeter on the 3rd brake light lead connector and see if any power goes to it when you press the brake pedal. If there’s power coming through, then the bulb is blown and you can go and replace it.
If the voltmeter doesn’t read any power, then your light may be functional. You may want to check the other culprits discussed below.
- Inspect the wiring harness connecting to the third brake light. Check for any signs of damage like fraying, loose connections, cuts, etc. Repair/replace any damaged wires and ensure all the connections are secure and corrosion-free.
- Examine the fuse for the third brake light. You can consult your user manual for more details on where your fuse is located. If the fuse is blown, you’ll need to replace it with a new one.
However, note that a fuse blowing could be an indication of underlying electrical issues, e.g., a short circuit, so you should monitor if your new fuse blows as well.
- Test the brake light switch while you observe all your brake lights. If the lights don’t come on when you apply the brakes, then you have a faulty switch that needs to be replaced.
If none of the tips above seem to solve your problem, then you’ll seek professional assistance from a qualified auto mechanic or Chevy tech.
Chevy Tahoe Third Brake Light Replacement Guide:
Most people get stuck when it comes to replacing the Tahoe third brake light. This is because once they remove the light bar, they have no idea how to get to the bulbs inside the sealed unit.
Unknown to them, however, the light bar is an LED setup, meaning you need to replace the entire unit if it goes bad.
Follow our step-by-step guide below on how to replace the bulb correctly:
Things you’ll need:
- Philips screwdriver
- Replacement bulb
Directions:
Step 1. Locate the 3rd brake light at the rear hatch of your vehicle. Be sure to have the rear hatch open all the way to allow for easy access to the light.
Step 2. Next, you’ll need to remove the two screws holding the light panel in place. For this step, you’ll just need to use a Phillips head screwdriver.
Step 3. With the screws out, you can simply pull the light out towards you and then down for easy removal. Note that when the unit comes out, it’s usually sitting in a rubber seal that you can just pull off.
Step 4. Now you’ll need to detach the light panel from the connector that connects it to the wires from the brake. In most Tahoe models, you’ll just need to push a clip up to release the connector.
Step 5. Grab the new 3rd brake light and put it in the rubber seal when the old one was seated. Clip your light back onto the lead connector. Finally, align the screw holes. Put back your screws and you’re done! Remember to test if the new light works as expected.
As you can see, the replacement procedure for Tahoe is pretty simple and quick. The replacement light itself goes for roughly $25 (though it can vary depending on your car model). You can do this fix on your own, so you’ll be saving money in the process.
We found this helpful video showing how to replace the brake light on various Tahoe models:
Video:
Where Is The Fuse For The 3rd Brake Light On Tahoe?
The fuse for Tahoe 3rd brake light is usually situated inside the cabin at the driver’s side on the end of the dash. The fuse is 10A and is usually labeled [Veh CHMSL].
However, there’s another fuse box located under the hood, so you should check for the brake light fuse in both fuse boxes.
If you’re not sure about the location of the 3rd brake light fuse on your Tahoe, consult your owner’s manual for full details on the fuse location.
If this info isn’t available in the owner’s manual, you can check the GM upfitter guide as it usually shows the parts attached to specific fuses.
If none of these helps, go old school and test the fuses. This is as easy as touching your outer contacts with a standard electrical meter probe.
You can also choose to have a qualified auto electrician or your dealership find the location of this fuse in your car.
This video contains helpful info on the fuse box location for Chevrolet Tahoe (2007-2014):
Video:
How To Test The Tahoe Third Brake Light?
If you just installed a new 3rd brake light or you suspect the current one is malfunctioning, testing its functionality is the best way to confirm if it’s working.
Follow these steps to test Tahoe third brake light:
Step 1. Turn on your vehicle ignition to ensure there’s electrical power for various electrical systems in your car, including the brake lights.
Step 2. Have someone stand at the rear of your car to observe the brake light.
Step 3. Press the brake pedal firmly. This will help activate the third brake light.
Step 4. If the light is good, the person standing at the rear should be able to see it illuminate brightly by pressing the brake pedal.
Step 5. Press and release the pedal consistently and see how the light behaves. If the light consistently illuminates with every pedal press, without displaying flickering and inconsistent behavior, then it’s working fine.
FAQs:
Your third brake light not working could be attributed to common causes like a burned-out bulb, blown fuse, bad connectors, wiring problems, or a faulty brake light switch.
The third brake light is an important safety feature that offers additional visual cues to the drivers behind you about your intention to stop or slow down. It’s especially helpful to distracted drivers behind you who may fail to see your primary brake lights.
In the United States, all light-duty trucks made after 1994 and all passenger cars after 1985 are required to feature a third brake light.
Conclusion
The issue of your Chevy Tahoe third brake light not working is nothing to panic about. This is a widespread problem among Tahoe owners and has common culprits that we have highlighted in the above article. These include a blown bulb, blown fuse, faulty socket or connector, and wiring problems. A bad brake light switch or damaged third brake light assembly may also be to blame for this problem.
By following the troubleshooting tips we have discussed in the above article, you can easily diagnose your car and find out what causes this stop light to malfunction. You can also fix most of these issues on your own and restore your brake light functionality. If you have tried the recommended fixes but can’t solve the problem, we advise you to take your car to a Chevy Mechanic for further diagnosis.
