Pontiac Montana Brake Lights Not Working - Help a Lady Out Please?

[Lilly]

I have a 2002 Pontiac Montana Van. The "side" hatchback brake lights aren't working. The brake light at the top however Is working. I've changed the bulb with 1 I know is good. It still doesn't work. There isn't any corrosion in the socket. The fuse looks good, but I'm wondering if I should switch it out just to make sure.

On this van, the Back up lights, turn signal, brake and regular lights are all separate bulbs. Since the Top brake light works I'm told it's not the Brake Light Switch under the brake pedal.

I don't have much money and I'm trying to diagnose and fix this myself.

If anyone out there can suggest anything, please help.

Thanks.

 

[Michael S]

Sometimes, especially when you have two brake lights, one of them is a dual filament. One filament for tail lights, and one filament for the brake.
Make sure you have the proper number bulb in the proper socket because they are easy to mix up because the are the same size and shape.

Compare the number to the number in your owner's manual.

 

[tirespoke .]

two likely culprits are going to be your headlight switch and the brake switch. most likely its the brake switch and not the headlight switch.

the brake switch is located on the brake pedal. just crawl upside down under the dash with a flashlight and look up the actual pedal itself and you'll see it. it will either be attached to the pedal itself and hits a bracket to activate the lights or it'll be mounted on a bracket and the pedal hits it to activate the lights.

probably look for it and get an idea of what you think it is (will only have two wires going to it) and buy from the parts store first to get an idea of how to remove it.

and I will say this...they can either be SUPER easy to get off or you will have to be a contortionist to replace them.

sometimes I just get pissed off and remove the driver seat so I can lay down better and get a better angle on it.

they are $10-15 parts but a shop will charge you over $100 to replace it...

 

[bandit_60]

i,ll try to help you dear. check the sockets, they might be corroded. it could be possibly the brake light switch needs to be adjusted. i don,t know if i helped you or not but i tried.