Safety is paramount the moment you start your car. While your seat belt is one of the most critical safety features, your brakes and tail lights are not far behind. Your brake lights illuminate to let the drivers behind you know that you’re slowing down or preparing to stop. In comparison, your tail lights are only activated when your headlights are turned on. They help with nighttime visibility or severe weather, such as heavy rain. Both lights work together to provide a safe driving experience. However, what happens if your tail lights are fully functioning, but your brake lights aren’t? Below are a few common reasons why this would occur:
Malfunctioning Turn Signal Switch
In some vehicles, the turn signal switch and the brake light share the same circuit. If the turn signal switch isn’t working, the other may not be either. Once the wire is replaced, both should be fixed appropriately.
Blown Out Light Bulbs
If you have an older vehicle, your brake lights may be blown out. Replacing the light bulbs can be pretty simple by removing the back cover and changing the bulbs.
Faulty Fuse Box
Modern vehicles typically have two fuse boxes; your car manual can help you identify which fuse box correlates with your brake light. A blown fuse box can result in brake issues.
Broken brake lights with functioning tail lights can lead drivers to become puzzled. Never hesitate to check your vehicle’s owner’s manual or reach out to our ASE certified technicians. Our RM Automotive automotive repair would be happy to quickly fix those brake lights and get you back on the road soon.