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Ok so I am a first time poster here, was never really a lurker either I just need some gear head to tell me whats wrong with my car.

First off everything on my car is stock, nothing after market so thats rules out like 80% of the threads I have found so I am really hoping you guys can help me!

My cruise control and brake lights have gone out at the same time. The spolier brake light works fine, but the tail lights will not come on when I depress the brake pedal. The parking lights and turn signals work just fine but no brake lights. The cruise control won't come on, not even the dash light, and so far I have looked at the fuse box under the steering column and the one under the hood with no luck.

Is there a fuse that controls the cruise control/brake lights? My local Honda shop told me that the spoiler works on a different circuit than the tail lights which I guess would explain the damn thing working!

I have replaced the brake switch on the brake pedal but that didn't do anything. Also the cruise control activation switch which is located near my left knee lights up green when I push it in but it does not engage the cruise control on the road.

I am wondering if it would be worth replacing the brake switch again just to be safe, any ideas?

If anyone has any ideas please let me know, thanks for reading guys!

 
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fyi, spoiler led is spliced into the main rear brake light wiring. if you trace it back, you will see where they connect. make sure the bulbs are not burnt, and then check for power at the socket. if theres power, your bulbs may have fallen too deep in the socket and are shorting out. its a common problem on civics. try slightly pulling out the bulb while someone presses the brakes and see if they flicker on. fixing this problem (brake lights not working) should also fix the cruise since it uses resistance from the brake circuit. the brake switch is fine if the spoiler lights up when depressing pedal. my bet is a problem with the brake bulb sockets or wiring.

 
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Thanks I will try that idea out tomorrow, appreciate the help.

Stephen

 
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Hey guys, hate to bring up an old thread but I have this exact same issue.

I have a 2004 Civic Si Coupe and my rear stop (brake) lights (left and right) are not working but the OEM spoiler brake light is. My cruise control is not working either - lower dash button lights up green but cannot set the cruise or any cruise functions. Horn works fine so that fuse is good. I have just installed new Sylvania dual filament bulbs and still the lights not working? I had a spare brake switch and swapped that in and still no left or right brake lights or cruise function??
The car has not been modified in any way – it’s bone stock.

I’m thinking to buy a third brake switch and try that out but my mind is telling me that’s not the issue. If the third brake light works that’s telling me the switch is working – unless the third brake light is on a different circuit as the dealer stated to trikky74 – but I find that hard to believe?? I see how the resistance theory that gearbox stated makes sense but I’m perplexed at what could be causing the issue? The last thing I want to do is go to the dealer and pay a huge amount in electrical diagnostics??

Any ideas??

Thanks

 
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^^^ The brake switch is o.k. if the 3rd light is working.

Trace back from sockets to the open, or tap into 3rd lights wiring and jumper over to inop bulbs wiring with new to bypass open.

 
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If you tap the third brake light circuit the cruise control won't work. The main brake lights have to work correctly for the cruise control to work- safety feature.

Check the fuse and if it's blown and blows as soon as you put another one in then you have an open/short and need to trace the wire and fix it or run a new one. If the fuse is OK then check for power at the light socket. If no power then trace back for an open/short or run a new wire, whichever is faster/easier.

 
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Its all the same wiring after the brake switch.

 
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LED's (which are in the 3rd brake light) will never burn out, ever the only reason they will ever stop working is if the wiring gets messed up so as everyone said if your 3rd light is working its not your brake sensor check the bulbs if there is black residue on the inside ge new ones but if there isn't try swapping the bulbs with the other side or just taking it out and putting back in might just be a bad connection if that doesnt work trace the wires back and look for crimping or a severed wire after that i cant help you any more lol

 
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well, they will burn out when wired incorrectly. for example the 8thcivic led brake has a max input of 13.5v stamped on the back, yet the alternator normally produces 14.2v when the car is running (and your foot is on the brake), up to 15.5v on a cold winter day. this would be bad enough by itself, but add in the fact they use 150mA snap-leds that require heatsinking, and the circuit board that does not even have a single resistor to limit current, and i wonder how they would ever last more than a year or two. the design is something even a first year electrical engineering student can improve.