No brake lights im lost help pls

[joshua.treeformdesign]

Hello all and thanks ahead of time.
Okay 1997 sonoma pickup. I have running lights.
I have turn signals-->but when I turn them on (left or right) the gas gauge bounces in rhythm with turn signal. When I turn the head lights on the left turn signal indicator in the gauge cluster lights up solid and stays there.
I do not have brake lights when pressing the brake.
I do have taillights(headlights on back is lit.)
License plate lights are fine.
Reverse is good.


I stated testing stuff and am lost I pulled the brake switch behind the pedal and it is fine but I have a hot on both sides but no bad fuses. Im gonna try messing with hazard switch I broke it off a while back and i just read some enlightening stuff here about it.

 

[Smoky02]

Start your testing at the brake lamp sockets looking for power and check for ground. If you have no power at the lamp sockets, then move your way towards the front checking for power, ie next would be harness connector under and in front of rear bumper. The first place that you find power then you will know that your problem is behind you.

 

[drwet]

Goofy symptoms like yours are usually a bad ground. I had similar problems with my taillights which turned out to be a bad ground in the rear harness. There are two grounds to the frame, and both were badly corroded. I cleaned them up and no more problem. Not saying your problem is in exactly the same location, but I would start by checking all the grounds associated with the affected circuits.

 

[lphernan]

The bouncing voltmeter gauge is an indication of poor grounding as well. Tough to find the exact location, just need to go through all the wiring and clean/fix any bad connections. Just concentrate on the electrical circuits you are having issues with at first. Add extra ground wires where you can as well. Good luck

 

[joshua.treeformdesign]

I got it working

I got it working and it was the connection under the hood going into/out of the cab(ICR spray cleaner worked magic). Then I had the timing chain tensioner break so I replaced the timing chain and got it going then no break lights again checked the same connection as before with no luck going to check ground because we removed bed thinking it was a fuel pump issue during timing chain problem. also going to check plug under front bumper haven't messed with it yet. may have bumped it taking out the radiator. Where is it located exactly if anyone knows to cold to be laying on the ground staring at the underside for to long.

 

[drwet]

Goofy symptoms like yours are usually a bad ground. I had similar problems with my taillights which turned out to be a bad ground in the rear harness. There are two grounds to the frame, and both were badly corroded. I cleaned them up and no more problem. Not saying your problem is in exactly the same location, but I would start by checking all the grounds associated with the affected circuits.

I had the same problem. Bad grounds.