all brake lights not working

[infii30owner]

hi...i have 98 i30 with 175k miles. all 3 brake lights stopped working all of a sudden. i was rear ended gently recently (minor scratches on bumper). could that have broken some wires or connection? or maybe something in fuse box is gone under the hood? where can i start the diagnosis.

appreciate your help.

thanks.

[AZhitman]

Certainly could be a function of the collision.

My first look would be at the brake light switch (it's under the dash and looks like a plunger-type switch, sort of like the ones in the doors that allow the dome light to come on).

Take the two leads off it and touch them together - Do the brake lights go on and off then? If so, there's your problem.

Check your fuse (interior fuse box).

After that, it's time to start testing wires in the rear of the car. Grab some new bulbs and replace them - this way, you'll know you're not wasting time dealing with blown-out bulbs. Then, with a multimeter, check to see if the sockets are getting voltage when the brake pedal is pressed.

We can walk you through this stuff.

[infii30owner]

i bought a pack of lights first to replace the one near tail lights. when i saw even third brake light (one over rear seat) isn't lighting up then i was like how can all 3 lights fail at same time. i'll start the diagnosis like u said.

thank you.

[infii30owner]

collison wasn't that hard..maybe at 10 or 20mph.

checked the fuse that is below the steering wheel..it looks good. am suspecting switch now. got one for $7 from acdelco. that looks like one tough part to get at. there is hardly any room to pull that out.

any tips on how to replace the switch?

thanks

[AZhitman]

Page 7 of the I30 FSM has a diagram... it should just unthread from the bracket.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/I30/1998_I30/br.pdf

[infii30owner]

thanks Azhitman...

i got the courage to get under the steering wheel and tinker with the switch a bit. it looks like the spring wasn't good or something. i got my hands on the part that pedal pushes in. i clicked it a few times and it started to work again! when i press the brake all lamps are lighting up now. if this issue happens again, i'll go ahead and replace the switch.

if not for this forum and your help, i would have shelled out maybe a $100 for this today.

till next time