Thread: Wierd Brake light problem/ dash light prob

K so the other day one of my brake lights blew. I replaced it but. Then teh brake light fuse blew. Replced that. now even with my car off, if I hit the break pedal even the dash lights light up and then go out when I let my foot off. If I turn my lights on everysingle liight in my brake lights lights up (minus reverse) including the thrid brake light. When I hit the gas they get brighter. But it didnt used to be like that. Anybody ever had this problem? Could it be a relay or some ****?

Sounds like a ground issue or a switch issue. Could be a the hazard switch, or maybe the turn signal, but i would guess hazard first. Try swapping the hazard and see what happens.

Yeah but if the hazard was bad it would make it so that none of the lights came on IIRC. I left it unhooked one time when I put in a CD player and couldnt get my brake lights or anything to work until I figured out it was unplugged.

Could be some kind of short in the combo switch (the one for the lights)? That thing has all kinds of connections in it and controls all of those things.

Well actually it doesn't control brake lights... hmmm


I do have the wiring diagrams ready to post for all that stuff from many times before so let me know if you want them

Yes please Danja!

k.. Power surge really sounds like a bad or defective bulb..

1. Check the plug on the brake lamp replaced. If dirty, clean with electric spray cleaner.
Then compare the new bulb with the exact one on the opposite side rear brake bulb. If different, purchase the correct bulb.
Next, install the bulbs on opposite sides. If this blows a fuse, your new bulb is bad. Purchase new bulbs.

2. I would next try the brake pedal switch. When they go bad or harness is loose, you can get these types of dash symptoms too. But normally a bad bulb causes this..

3. If the problem still exists, check all the bulbs on the side of the car where the original bulb burned out... Another bulb on that side is probably the culprit.. Check & replace all front & rear bulbs on that side: parking light bulbs, side marker bulbs and rear bulbs. Especially replace any bulb found that is wet or rusty.

Turning switch could cause this but the symptoms dont match. Turning switch dont cause acceleration power surges.
The bad emergency switch will normally blow the fuse immediately upon activation. So, Im thinking its not causing this.

Power surges is normally caused by a bulb with wrong voltage/amp, cross wired bulb (where bulb glass is twisted loose from metal base and wires are touching), loose bulb not seated properly with the little knobs locked, or rust/mosture grounding out the bulb. Also remove the rear lamp harness and check for moisture or rust...

I usually replace all bulbs whenever this happens.. Good luck finding this electrical gremlin..

I had a related problem on my G20... kind of. My entire cluster had no lights, so I tried to replace the bulbs. Didn't do anything, but I popped my taillamp fuse in the process. Not sure how the circuits tie into each other, would need to see a diagram. But replacing the fuse gave me taillamps again and cluster lights.

The Exterior lights & Dash lights share the same power source & fuse. They are actually 3 separate circuits: Left Exterior, Right Exterior & Dash Lamps.

You do have a good point.. A bad fuse could also cause his problems...

sounds like the combo swith is shorting internally, also check your brake switch

where are these switches?