97 jimmy no brake lights work at all

[snoman1]

This one has me puzzled. On my 97 Jimmy neither the third brake light or the regular brake lights work. turn signals, hazard and running lights work. I picked up a multifunction switch from a salvage yard and switched that out and still the same thing. switched out the relays and still nothing. fuses are good. pulled the trailer wiring out from under the bumper and can't find any rub spots where the wires may have grounded out. what do I look at next. It is a hard one to figure out but I also did check my trailer connection and it doesn't seem to be sending any power out to the trailer lights from what I can tell. anybody have some ideas would be greatly appreciated.
thanks.

 

[Molson02536]

This one has me puzzled. On my 97 Jimmy neither the third brake light or the regular brake lights work. turn signals, hazard and running lights work. I picked up a multifunction switch from a salvage yard and switched that out and still the same thing. switched out the relays and still nothing. fuses are good. pulled the trailer wiring out from under the bumper and can't find any rub spots where the wires may have grounded out. what do I look at next. It is a hard one to figure out but I also did check my trailer connection and it doesn't seem to be sending any power out to the trailer lights from what I can tell. anybody have some ideas would be greatly appreciated.
thanks.

Did you check the the brake light switch at the brake peddle assembly. Inspect that first and replace it the switch is faulty. The switch is located in the steering shaft and should be lined up with the brake peddle arm to make contact when the brakes are not applied.

If the switch is stuck and the plunger will not come out then your switch needs to be replaced. You should also notice your OD and cruise control will not be working.

Good luck and post us back.

 

[snoman1]

ugghhh.. that was it and worse.. there must be a ground out somewhere.. two of the wires from the connector to the pedal switch heated up so bad it melted all the plastic off the wires at the connector and melted the switch to the connector itself. I've had to litterally break apart the switch around the connector to get it apart.. Not sure if I can salvage the connector end at this point. I may end up having to take it in and lets the experts take over. there is very little wiring that drops down for the connector switch so everthing would have to be spliced together somehow... thoughts? my thinking is that I had a bad ground on my trailer for a bit since I'd been hauling alot these days doing yard work and it just got hot from all the breaking with the loads and fried..

 

[DrPablo]

Hi,
I have almost the same problem. The only thing what is different, my third light is working. At my trailer outlet and my rear lights there is no power. Blinker and lights are working just the brakes aren't.
I found a very good instruction to get to the switch:
http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic577320.htm
It is detailed with photos etc. I will try this,but I had some problems to get the plastic cover down. My hazard flasher button was broken so I sticked it in there again but now my blinkers are flashing constantly only when I push the button it will stop.
Does anyone has an idea?
I don't have the money right know to replace the switch. But I need my car for driving to work.

 

[DrPablo]

So I replaced the multi function switch (cruise control,turn signal , hazard, wiper lever). Now all lights are working again. The switch cost about $190 at Napa, you can find it cheaper on ebay but I needed it now.
With the instructions from my previous link it is very easy to remove all the plastic covers. I took me about 3hours.

 

[snoman1]

It all turned out to be the a ground out from the trailer which ended up burning out the brake pedal switch and a bunch of wiring up the steering column.. what a mess.. new switch and some wiring harness parts from the junk yard and its back together.. and now I have an extra multi switch..