ntgarwood

I've seen this similar problem posted in the past but with no resolution. Hopefully someone can help! I have a 2002 civic ex coupe. I recently found out that my rear marker brake lights do not work, but the third brake light in the spoiler (factory) does work. My cruise control went out a few months ago and im guessing the problem is related. The cruise on/off button will light up green but when pushing the steering wheel button to set the cruise nothing happens and no "cruise" light. With the brakes, the bulbs are fine because they are the same as my turn signal and hazards which work. I have used a multimeter at the rear wiring harness and there is power to the rear brake lights. The fuse under hood for the horn and brakes is good and horn works. I replaced the brake pedal switch and it works fine. Does anyone have ideas of where to check next or what might be causing this problem? Any help or ideas are appreciated. Thanks.

ezone

Absolutely wrong.

ntgarwood

Oops, thanks. Im not out at my car and was just thinking through it. Any ideas??

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

if the third brake light works, the problem is with the wiring to the tail lamp bulbs. either the bulbs are burnt out, or the wiring is messed. all three brake lights lead back to the same wire eventually.

ntgarwood

Thanks! Do you happen to know where the split happens? Im guessing its somewhere behind the dash.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

it actually might be in the trunk somewhere. start tracing wires back from the 3rd lamp and the tail brakes til you find where they meet. chances are the short will be somewhere inbetween. if you get to the brake pedal switch (under the pedal) you prolly went too far. i think by then they have to meet.

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

Threads with no resolves posted you say...? Hmm that's new. They are all driving around with messed up brake lights.

You have an open, either both brake filaments are open ( I would check bulbs again) The 2 brake bulbs are dual filament type, or you have an open between the junction splice and the 2 left/right branches.

ezone

I'm betting my nickel on 2 light bulbs bad.

ntgarwood

This is a bit embarrassing that the solution was so obvious, but you guys are right. I put the multimeter in both sockets and they were getting power, so I replaced BOTH bulbs and it worked and the cruise control worked again. When I had checked the lights before, I had only replaced one of the bulbs to check and not both of them. But im glad its fixed now. Thanks alot guys. And I actually have seen this question posted in a few different forums without a solution. They were probably all like me and didn't want to fess up to what the answer was after they found it!!

ezone

So who is paying out on my nickel bet?

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

haha i would rather have it be burnt bulbs

ezone

I'd rather it be wiring.
I LOVE wiring.

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

Me too, been messing with electrical and electronics for 35 years now.