Why don’t my brake lights work?

busy street with brake lights on on cars

If your brake lights are giving you trouble, it’s something you want to get fixed. It’s a safety hazard, and you might also get a ticket out of it. Why aren’t they working, and what can you do about it? Dave & Wayne Auto Center in Bethlehem, PA has the answers.

Blown Bulb - A bad bulb is the most obvious culprit - if just one of them isn’t working, that’s probably the case. Just because the bulb is lit up when the headlights are on, it doesn’t mean the bulb is good; there are actually two filaments in there, one for the running lights and a brighter one for the brakes. One of our technicians can change it out in no time.

Bad Brake Switch - At the brake pedal, there’s a switch that knows whether or not the brake pedal is depressed. If your brake light issues are coupled with trouble getting the vehicle to shift out of the park, the brake switch is probably to blame. In this scenario, both lights will probably be out, but the running lights will still work. Changing out a brake light switch is kind of a pain, but for professional technicians, it's a quick and easy job.

Bad Headlight Switch - If both the brake lights and the running lights are dark, the headlight switch may be the issue. On many vehicles, wiring for various systems and components run through the headlight switch, so it’s a common epicenter for troubled electronics.

Corroded/Faulty Wiring - It’s also possible your wiring is broken somewhere down the line, or the bulb socket is rusty or corroded. Either the break must be identified and repaired, or the bulb socket needs to be cleaned or replaced. With the right equipment and knowledge, tracking down an electrical issue is generally pretty easy - however, trying to find one on your own may prove very difficult.

No matter your repair or maintenance needs, we’ve got you covered. For the best diesel and fleet service shop in Bethlehem, PA, call or stop by Dave & Wayne Auto Center today.

Thank you for visiting Dave & Wayne Auto Center in Bethlehem, PA. You can count on our automotive repair technicians to keep your car, truck, suv, van, or motorcycles on the roads longer and safer.