[GI Jeep]

My third brake light went out again, so I was messing around with the contacts, trying to clean them up and get it working again. To test it and see if it worked, I wedged a mop between my seat and brake pedal, to keep it engaged (I was working solo). I noticed my brake lights were working, but before I could go and remove the mop they turned off, leaving just the running lights. Since then, I can't get any of my brake lights to work, and upon further investigation, my turn signal lights are also out.

I've been doing a lot of reading on this, but everyone else seems to have a problem with their hazards- my hazards work fine, as do my running lights. Everything (except the third brake light) worked fine until I started messing with it this evening. What kinds of problems involve only the brake lights and turn signals, and does anyone have any solutions for me to try? Thanks!

Bonus if anyone can help with the third brake light. I just fixed it a month ago, and it's back to not working again. I'm more concerned with the other problems, but it'd be nice if I could get this one figured out too.

 

[GI Jeep]

Turn signals do work

Scratch that, my turn signals do work. Only the brake lights aren't. Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[2footin]

TJ?
if so check fuse #27 listed as "multifunction"
been there done that LOL

 

[GI Jeep]

Third brake light

You were correct, I had a blown fuse- that took care of the regular brake lights.

Can anyone offer me advice on my third brake light? This is the second time I've had to mess with it and get it to work, and to be honest, I'm not sure how it was fixed last time, I tried a lot of different things without testing it in between.

So far, I've cleaned the contacts, and made sure all the wires are connected into them tightly. I'm a little bit of a physics nerd, and used a battery to test the lightbulb and wiring from the contacts rearward, and all works there, so I don't believe there's a problem with wiring there. I did the same thing with a lightbulb to test the front wiring, from the contacts forward, and I think that's how I blew my fuse. If it's not wiring, or the bulb, or the contacts, what else is there to check??

 

[GI Jeep]

I just confirmed that- tested the lightbulb again and blew another fuse. What does this mean? It's the same lightbulb that is in my third brake, and if this is blowing my fuse everytime, what can I do?

 

[wmwhitey]

sounds like a wire issue possibly grounding out and blowing the fuse.

 

[GI Jeep]

What exactly is grounding out? And how would I fix this?

 

[2footin]

i would start by using a multimeter set to ohms checking if both contacts on the tailgate show 0 or little resistance to ground and if so i would look for frayed insulation or a pinched wire in the tailgate
grounding out usually means that power is making its way to ground without any load and causing excessive current flow and hopefully only blowing a fuse

also if you have installed any electrical accessory try disconnecting it to see if it is causing the problem

 

[GI Jeep]

Contacts

It ended up being the contacts not touching completely when the tailgate was closed. That trick with the washers solved it- thanks for everyone's input!

 

[MissMarlena]

Thanks guys! First the turn signal wasn't working so I took directions from this forum about the relay switch. ..the guys especially my husband wouodnt listen to me lol so tonight not only was the signal lights working but the brake lights werent either..I came here and BOOM! It told him #27 fuse...he rokled his eyes went iutside then came in laughing saying"I hate when youre right!"hahaha Thanks again guys..Such a simple solution to a major problem.