Problem with Brake Lights

[AMTDK]

I am almost ready to get my pickup(98 Chevy S10 pickup, no extra features) on the road. Unfortunately I am at what will hopefully be my final obstacle for the time being.

My brake lights are not coming on. Also the tail lights are not lighting up. I just fixed the turn signals, but can't seem to find out what is wrong with the brake lights. I am thinking of changing out the Brake Switch, but will that really do anything? It's a cheap part so I'm going to get it anyway, but I am curious as to what else could be causing the problem.

[XTREME80]

Fuses? What was wrong with your turn signals?

[Big Mack Daddy]

Fuses or ground, the ground should be on the frame under the bed, check to make sure it is clean and is getting good contact.

['96dime]

I swapped my bed when I put the roll pan on it and I snipped the ground wire and I had problems with my taillights not working for months

[AMTDK]

The grounds are still intact. I replaced all the bulbs, which fixed my turn signal issue. All fuses are good. Is it possible there is a short in a wire that goes to my brake switch? I just recently replaced the switch, hoping it would fix the problem, no luck. I checked the lines going to the brake switch, 3 are hot, 3 are not. Are the three that are not hot just relays to the bulbs? Lifting the truck up tomorrow. Anything I should look for specificly to make my search a little shorter.

[dave1182]

you know you can bypass the switch (jump it) for testing purposes

[AMTDK]

I have heard that, yes. I'm not sure how to about that though, is there a site or something that would help in a step by step to try that out.

[dave1182]

On the brake switch there's a wire in wire out, take a paperclip and after you unplug the wires connect the the 2 wires via the paperclip, make sure it don't touch nothing else like the frame and such.

[AMTDK]

Ok, still having the problem. I have replaced all of the bulbs and all of the wires seem to be good. The overhead brake light on the cab is working, but my tail and brake lights are still not working. My turn signals also are acting up, only when the lights are turned on. My father says it could be my Fuse Box. I have replaced it several times, and, for all I know it is possible something is wrong with it. I just recently put a 98 Chevy s10 Blazer(4.3) Fuse Box into it. I am unable to find a 98 Chevy s10 Pickup(2.2) Fuse Box. The box itself seemed to match up fine, all of the pegs are lined up good.

[Mikz86TA]

Did you inspect the rear ground at the drivers side framerail?

[AMTDK]

Yep, the ground is good. I took the bed off again, and there is no way any ground was dislogded during removal due to how the wires were set up. The only thing I can think of at this moment in time is maybe another bad Fuse Box. Which will be unfortunate due to the lack of Fuse Box's in the area. More like the lack of my vehicle in junkyards. Would rewiring the entire system be a good idea if I got someone who knew what they were doing. Or should I go another direction before going all out on the wiring?

[jasond]

Have you considered the possibility of a bad turn signal switch? From what you are describing, I would suspect it.

[AMTDK]

Is there a way to test the turn signal switch without ripping it out of the column? I don't have the tools to take the steering wheel off at this moment and I've taken the screws out of the plastic but it doesn't seem to be coming free.

[AMTDK]

Took truck to the shop finally, it was the multi-function switch, not only did that fry but a few wires running to it were burned pretty good. All being replaced within the week. Thanks everyone for your input, and hopefully I'll have some good pics of the truck once I get it cleaned up nice.