Do it yourself
Frequently asked questions about cars and motorcycles

Reasons why the tail lights work but the brake lights do not

Model: (Various brands) Various
Part: Tail light

There are several reasons why the rear lights work and the brake lights do not, or vice versa. In older cars, the brake lights and the rear lights use the same bulb that houses two separate circuits, so it is a good idea to check them with a normal multimeter, which can be purchased online for a few euros. Another reason may be a blown fuse, and the one related to the brake light can be easily identified through the owner's manual. A third reason could be a faulty brake switch: this is located near the pedal, and it can be tested with the same multimeter we have already mentioned. Another reason could be faulty plugs or connectors, or corrosion of the connector pins themselves. This requires checking the connectors and cleaning them with a specific liquid such as WD-40; we may also need to check the connection of the bulbs, and that the bulb holders are worn out. Finally, we will need to check the wiring that connects the bulbs to the electrical connectors, and if there is a broken wire it can be very difficult to locate.

Posted on 22 December 2024 by ScegliAuto

Video tutorial

Related tutorials

(Various brands) Various If the brake lights of your car stay on, the cause is a switch located under the brake pedal that has failed. It is a "normally open" switch, which o…
(Various brands) Various Sometimes it can happen that, even though our car does not have the brakes pulled, or is even turned off, the brake lights remain on. There is a rath…
(Various brands) Various This video presents various vehicles to overview the reasons why the reversing light may not work: the first and most obvious reason is a blown bulb;…

Other guides you may be interested in

How to Open a Stuck Boot on the Peugeot 407?

On the Peugeot 407, the boot may become stuck, possibly due to a problem with the control button or the lock actuator. In such cases, you can perform an emergency opening by following the simple procedure shown in this tutorial. First, open the rear doors, then lower the seat back by operating the release lever. Next, go inside the boot, locate the lock, and manually operate it using a flathead screwdriver. The boot will then be free to open.

Watch the video!


by ScegliAuto

More videos