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I have a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina and the rear lower brake lights don’t work.
The high side brake light in the rear window works properly. I changed the bulbs in the lower brake lights, but that didn’t solve the problem.
I was testing the brake lights while operating the turn signals and suddenly the lower brake lights started to work intermediately. I looked at the shop manual and the circuit for the lower brake lights goes through the multi-function switch lever and/or the turn signal switch. I guess this is a common problem with Luminas.
So, I can get the lower brake lights to work by slightly pulling on the multi-function switch lever. But, as soon as I use the turn signals, the lower brake lights stop working again.
I’m trying to determine which part I should replace. Would it be the multi-function switch lever on the side of the steering column, or the turn signal switch that is located inside the steering column? Thanks!
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If it’s not a total PIA to do bypass the multifunction switch with a jumper on the break circuit. If the lights keep working then it seems the switch is the problem.
Brake light and blinkers are two different circuits. Start
with the brake light switch.when the light stalk is turned on
you will get tail lights. when you step on the brakes you will
get brake lights.I think the problem with the lower brake lights is related to the “pivot & pulse switch assembly” that the multifunction switch lever is attached to at the steering column. The pivot & pulse switch assembly operates the left & right turn signals and the hi/low beams. If I don’t use the turn signals or the hi/low beam switch while driving, then all the brake lights work fine. As soon as I use the turn signals or the hi/low beam switch, then the lower brake lights stop working. The only way I can get the lower brake lights to work again is to slightly pull on the multifunction switch lever again.
I see there are electrical wires going into the pivot & pulse switch assembly. The multifunction switch wires plug into the pivot & pulse assembly. It seems like there is a short or connection problem on either the side of the multifunction switch lever or on the side of the turn signal switch located in the steering column.
Thanks for everyone’s help, but I’m still not sure how to troubleshoot the problem without removing the steering wheel and getting into the interior of the steering column. I know the brake light switch at the brake pedal is working, because the high side brake light in the back window is always working. I have the shop manual for the car, and I see the brake light circuit goes through the turn signal switch, but I still can’t determine where the problem is at.
This might be a case where I’ll have to just throw parts at the problem by installing a new turn signal switch and multifunction switch lever, and see what happens. Any additional suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
Update: I wasn’t sure if the problem with the brake lights was related to the multifunction switch lever or the turn signal switch.
I did a lot of research on Web and found out that most likely the problem was with the turn signal switch.
I installed a new turn signal switch (definitely not an easy repair), and now the brake lights are working normally again. Thanks for everyone’s help! 🙂
on a ‘light’er note, can we actually call this vehicle a Lumina if the lights don’t il’Lumina’te.. :huh:
it’s kinda like false advertising.
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