I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 THAT I CANNOT GET THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO WORK, ANYONE HAVE SUGGESTIONS

Asked by KENWFL Jul 30, 2013 at 03:56 PM about the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab LB 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

3 Answers

320

This most likely caused by the brake light switch located on the brake pedal arm. Follow the arm from the pedal downward, just above floor board. Its attached arm, and looks like a square p/box (black ) in color and with a oblong shaped actuator that moves in and out. The actuator should not be depressed when no pressure is being applied. Make sure its clear anything that might activate the switch. This should turn off the B/Lights. When the pedal is depressed the actuator in gauged it should turns on the B/Lights. 1st. check the switch to see if has worked lose, making sure its firmly in place, and if any damage has occurred to it. Also make sure the actuator is working freely and not binding. in and out. Now if all that's ok, its a matter of adjustment. You need at 2 people to do this. Now have the 2nd person observe your B/Light when doing this. Now lay on your back right under the switch and depress the B/Pedal ,the b/lights should come on. Then let go of B/Pedal as you do so they turn off. If not you need to adjust the switch. It may take a few ties .Make sure you check power connection wire connector from the fuse box is clipped firmly to B/Light switch. Now depress the pedal slow until the switch comes in contact a bracket just about where you think the brakes should start stopping the truck, or until it actually contacts with the bracket, the lights should be on and if no lights come on relieve some pressure letting the pedal move upward and away contact from the bracket until b/lights turn off, To adjust the switch locate a arm p/arm attached just above actuator find the long arm attached it, its all 1 pc. this can be move up or down slightly, enough adjust the switch to move switch actuator inward, it works properly. If this fails the switch is faulty or bad and needs to be replaced. This assuming that you have checked any fuses or wiring leading from the fuse box.

3 people found this helpful.
45,195

electricity is like a river- start at the source (the battery) and trace it back to the taillights with a test light- when the light won't come on, you have found where the current is being interrupted- if you don't have a test light and a wiring diagram, get them- miracles can be worked- you can always start at the taillights and work backwards to the battery- sometimes it's just corroded bulb sockets

4 people found this helpful.

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