brake light problem plz help!!

[getm1]

last night i was driving home when i got pulled over by a cop and he told me i didnt have any working brakelights.but my tail lights were turned on.and my fuse box is ok.what couls it be???its a 1986 300zx n/a 2+2

[bigred240sx]

brake light bulb burned out?

[evildky]

or the controle box next to the passanger tail light, or the brake light swithc ont he pedal, sometimes the rubber stopper ont he pedal it pushes against simply rots away

[kasilvia]

Usually when the rubber stopper goes, it leaves the brake lights on all the time. I would unplug the sensor and jump the terminals on the connector to check if the brake lights come on. If they dont, then move to the control unit. Of course, check the simple things first, the bulbs themselves.

[getm1]

yeah im going to check it out because the light bulbs work because when i turn on my lights the tail lights turn on but when i brake they dont turn on,and the fuses are ok.so im going to check that rubber thing out.

[kasilvia]

That wont be your problem. Honestly, you need to pull the bulbs out and check them. The tailights use a different element than the brake light does. one can be burnt out inside the bulb and the other still work. Double check those bulbs.

[getm1]

ok.so i checked the rubber thing near the break pedal,and its in good shape and i change the bulbs and they still dnt work.so wut else can it be??

[evildky]

brake light switch, brake light control box

[kasilvia]

Try disconnecting the switch and use a short piece of wire to "jump" the two terminals on the harness. If your brake lights come on, its the switch, if they dont, look to the controller.

[getm1]

ok thanks im going to try it..

[AZ-ZBum]

Could be the sensor box. It's attached to the right rear tail light inside the car. Or it should be. Usually you find them hanging. It's a box about 1" by 1.5" by 3".

[getm1]

thanks u guys for the help but i found the problem.it was the stop light switch i believe its called.the spring inside was all bend up.i replaced it for about 6 dollars...

[evildky]

or the brake light swithc ont he pedal