2001 Sunfire Brake Lights not working

[writetodwayne]

I have a 2001 sunfire SE where the left and right brake lights are not working, but the third brake light does work.

I have changed out new 3157 bulbs, two differents sets just to be sure it was not that. I checked power at the bulb socket terminals and there is no power there. I disconnected the sockets from the harness and checked for power directly there and nothing!

All fuses seem to be OK.

The third brkae light gets power..hmmm that's puzzleing.

All other running lights are working fine.

Any ideas what could be the problem?

 

[melsg5]

Sounds like a wireharness problem in the rear area of the vehicle since the third brake light does work. Trace the harness from the socket forward.

 

[writetodwayne]

Sunfire Brake Lights

Sounds like a wireharness problem in the rear area of the vehicle since the third brake light does work. Trace the harness from the socket forward.

Thanks for this advise. I'll dig deeper into the harness when the wife brings the car home today. Meantime, if anyone else has other ideas please throw them at me. I want to solve this one soon before the BLUE LIGHTS go to flashin!

 

[writetodwayne]

Sunfire Brake Lights 2001 SE

Hi, I am back to search for possible answers to my brake light issue.

I have traced the wiring harness up to the front of the car as far as it enters the big bundle of wiring at the dash and have found nothing noticably faulty. I am thniking that the left/right brake lights run off a separate circuit or thru a different switching mechanism. At the brake peddle I find the switch that operates the "third" brake light and I can manually actuate it; it works. There is another actuator switch operated by the brake peddle but it doesn't seem to be designated for the left/right brake lights, as I pulled the harness and jumped the current and no left/right lights. I realize this is not definitive as ther could still be a problem down harness. another rule-out factor for this switch is that it is key powered and brake lights don't normally need the key to be on. So, I am still looking for answers.

How do you operate a brake light and not do it with a switch at the peddle???? I believe it has to operate thru the one brake switch... but what's the problem? Tryng to find a service manual for this car.

Lately, I have been telling the wife to drive with the running lights on for visibility. The third brake light is still working, but would you believe she's been bumped twice in three weeks! Wasn't the third brake light suppose to be the most visible one???

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[Steelcity]

I'm just guessing,would this switch run through some type of BCM ?

 

[writetodwayne]

Sunfire Brake Lights 2001 SE not working - PROBLEM SOLVED

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!:D

Did a bit more searching around on the ask it sights and ran across the same set of problems from another sunfire owner that got a reply from someone unknown that had the solution to this sunfire brake light problem. Qote is below.

As it turns out, all of the brake light functions are relayed from the peddle switch up thru the " Hazzard, Cruise Control, Turn Signal, Headlight etc. Switch" on the steering column. Read below to see the issue. Long story short, rather than take the switch apart and try to repair it, I just ordered another one on line: $46 shipped. I confirmed the problem on our car by jiggling the HAZZARD LIGHTS SWITCH SELECTOR on the top of the steering column and the brake lights flickered until I found a sweet spot and they stayed on. Duck taped it in place for now! Thanks for the comments from you folks that tried to help.


"Answer
Check for a short in the wiring, because sometimes the wiring for the 3rd brake light and the usual brake lights are different. So maybe the wiring for the usual's is damaged.
Answer
i had this problem too. i took it to my mechanic and he checked just about everything...in the end he just jiggled the hazard light switch on top of the steering columb and that fixed it...so it might just be a short in the system...hope that helps

*(the answer that helped)
Answer
REMOVE POWER AT BATTERY FIRST The person that tried to fix it saved you about $150 cnd. It is in the hazzard lights. The contacts arc causing the plasic to melt. It can be fixed better if you release airbag and then remove plastic around signal switch. Remove the $150 signal switch.(3 screws).Disconnect wires(remove white plasic at connector)this takes a bit of playing to get the bottom screw. remove the torx screws and watch for to small spring in the signal switch.do in the house at table. there is a lever for the turn signal cancel watch how it works .Look at hazzard light switch area. You will see some brown or black at contact. slide hazzard light switch and it will feel sticky and the contacts will not touch. use a sharp knife to smooth the plasic and clean the contacts. put it back together use an ohm meter to check continuity between proper contacts. (see Haynes or Chilton manual. I forgot color code ) make sure signal cancel works. Put back together. Use of hazzrd lights causes this. they turn them on to check your lights during oil change tell them not to, and to put foot on brake and turn the signals on."

 

[melsg5]

thanks for the fix information

 

[platinumills]

sunfire- no brake lights or turn signals

i have 01 sunfire with no turn signals or brake lights. 3rd brake light doesnt work either. i already changed the multi function switch, brake switch...fuses good. changed flasher...
help me please. cant drive it

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