Any thoughts as to where an issue may be with the 3rd brake light not working? I've done some pretty mild searching and can't come up with anything. Other brake lights are fine, fuse is good. Changed the bulb. Nothing.
Troubleshooting 3rd brake light
- Thread starter Cole
- Start date
Typically it's an issue with the tailgate contacts and sometime it's just because the contacts are blocked or cruddy. Take a volt meter and test your contacts on the body side for starters. Just have someone step on the brake while holding the meter across the 2 contacts to confirm power when the brakes are applied. If you not familiar with the contacts they are located on the passenger side to the rear of the cargo area near the floor.
Imapepper
TJ Enthusiast
Sounds good. I did try to clean them with a bit of sand paper over the weekend. I'll test and see if theres any power going to them tonight though and go from there. Hopefully it's an easy fix!
You will need to get in behind the contacts to see whats going on, if I recall correctly I opened the plastic wheel well liner at the rear most point and was able to see the connections .
Sorry if this is too obvious but you have a helper stepping on the brake pedal when you are testing for voltage at the contacts right? Nothing else will cause that 3rd brake light to light up.
I do yes!! Although, not too obvious...
Will try to see behind that rear plastic wheel well liner and hope the issue is there!
Johnfromphilly
TJ Enthusiast
My third brake light was not working either. Replced the bulb and still nothing. Checked the contacts and they looked clear, removed a bit of carpet to clear the way 100%, still nothing. Finally after reading a bit more someone said that even if the contacts appear completely clear hit them with sandpaper anyway. I did this to both sets of contacts and the light now works perfectly.
Thanks again to this forum!
Thanks again to this forum!
Vtx531
TJ Addict
Johnfromphilly
TJ Enthusiast
Ha, this thing is as close to stock as can be. I have only owned it two weeks and plan to keep it stock for the forseable future.
The tires are P235/75R15
jim_lukens
New Member
I love this group and website! Thank you. I just really did not need one more annoying overly complicated jeep thing wrong with my jeep.
I used the sand paper on the contacts and was right back in business and able to pass inspection! Thank you!
A simple trick is use a board to hold the brake pedal gently depressed so you can walk around and check it if you are alone.
I just had to replace radiator, O2 sensors, shocks, and the damn P0432 light wont stay off and that mean Cats! Love my Jeep thought just need a little break.
I used the sand paper on the contacts and was right back in business and able to pass inspection! Thank you!
A simple trick is use a board to hold the brake pedal gently depressed so you can walk around and check it if you are alone.
I just had to replace radiator, O2 sensors, shocks, and the damn P0432 light wont stay off and that mean Cats! Love my Jeep thought just need a little break.
I do too jim_lukens! Appreciate the board idea. I was thinking of doing the same with my inop. center mounted third brake light.
I just don't understand what the engineers were think using that contact switch and re-inventing the wheel?? Wouldn't wiring it been more fool proof like regular car doors are wired with longer wire inserted into a rubber boot? Oh well, we would see the rubber boot of wires on the exterior! It a Jeep.. It wasn't made to be pretty.. At least the the CJ, Yj and TJ... JK on are lovely!!! hahaha...
2001-Jeepwrangler
New Member
I have tired everything that is listed in this forum to get my light to work but just doesn't want to work. I have sanded the tailgate connection multiple times and it works for like 1-3 days then stops working. I have sanded the socket the light bulb goes into. That last me about a week maybe a week and a half and then stops. I have one last Idea that might fix it and that is to change the bulb to a glass bulb I previous had a cheap amazon led bulb in it if that doesn't work I have no idea what to do next any ideas?
Use 2 wires to wire them up
Use 2 wires to wire them up. That's what I did for now.
Use 2 wires to wire them up. That's what I did for now.
Use 2 wires to wire them up
Use 2 wires to wire them up. That's what I did for now.
Use 2 wires to wire them up. That's what I did for now.
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