My '93 SE instrument cluster shows the brake failure light. I've done the press-the-brake-pedal-to-see-which-brake-light-does-not-work and found the right side does not light. I replaced the bulb. The brake light worked and the dash indicator light went off but it came back on and the brake light went out within an hour.

My guess is that there is a bad wire or loose connection, but I have no idea how best to proceed. I could spend a lifetime tracing wires and looking for a break and never find it. I have a manual on CD but if it gives instructions on tracing the problem I haven't found them or I haven't understood them.

There are no blown fuses which would indicate a short. Can there be a short without a blown fuse?

As you can see, I have no idea where to start to find this. I'd like to have a go at finding and fixing it myself rather than pay a garage because I'm retired on a fixed income with a very tight budget.

I'd greatly appreciate and be very grateful for advice.

TIA

 

if you can find where the wire harness starts and ends, you might be able to ohm the wires according to color ( check the wire color at the bulb that burned out ). if there is no continuity, there is a break in the line.

 

Thanks for the response, Mr. Moderator.

I found the problem yesterday. There is a wiring harness with 2 light bulb receptacles and 2 connectors. I removed the tail light assembly so that I could inspect things better than I could leaning inside the trunk. What I found was a deformed electrical connection - one of the 2 rounded surfaces in the brake light receptacle. I've ordered a new harness rather than trying to wire in a new receptacle. The part should arrive next week. It will be a 5 minute fix with the new part that cost $27US plus $16US for shipping.

Again, thank you for the response. I hope my response might help someone else, maybe.

 

Glad to see you found the issue. Those tail light sensors were pretty sensitive to the wrong bulb wattage and any resistance in the wiring.

Good Luck

cheers!

 

good find. thank you for the input.