2nd gen brake lights don't work

2006 tacoma SR5 access cab - 4.0 liter 4x4

*I have no idea when I lost the brake lights? I haven't worked on anything electrical. I replaced all ujoints and center bearing a few weeks ago.

1. I checked 10 amp engine compart fuse. Power both sides.

2. The inside 10 amp fuse has NO power on either side... ????

3. The brake light switch has power to one terminal. (I replaced it last year)

*Coincidence? For an unknown reason my truck wouldn't shift into drive. I manually pushed the saftey button on the shifter console. (It seems fine now, but haven't driven it yet ??)

Still no brake lights???

*** No power to either side of 10 amp inside fuse. I have power to all other fuses, inside and out.

ANY IDEAS?

 

It is the 10A stop fuse you are checking, correct?

 

I'm certain of it. I checked it a number of times to make sure.
The 10 amp inside just isn't getting power.
All other fuses have proper power.

I'm stumped?

 

Have you checked the actual terminals that the fuse plugs in to?
If they both don’t have power, it’s likely a fuse box issue. The power to the fuse comes straight from the battery.

 

Which 10 amp interior fuse are you talking about?
The only fuse for the brake lights themselves is the STOP Fuse (10A) in the underhood fuse box.

 

Yes I did. No power to either side.

All other fuses are fine when checked with a test light.

Could there be a wire on the back side that came loose for just that fuse?

 

Not a wire.
If it was the main wire, you’d have more than just that fuse not working.

 

There is a 10 amp in the cab.

It shows it in the Haynes manual.

 

10A what?
What is it labeled?

And is it the under hood fuse that has no power?
Or the fuse in the cab.

BTW, Haynes is probably the worst manuals I’ve ever used.
Chilton is better. OE is best.

 

Agreed, that's why I'm stumped.

I even replaced the fuse.

I will double check though.

 

The fuse in the cab.

I agree.
No Chilton manual available at the auto parts store when I purchased it years ago.

 

I'm still curious which one?

None of the interior fuses have anything to do with the brake lights working although several could affect the shift interlock.

 

Yeah, we need a picture.
Because that fuse isn’t for the brake lights.

What fuse are you checking?

 

I bet it’s the tail fuse.
But it has nothing to do with the brake lights.

I bet if OP turns the head lights on.
That fuse has power

 

I will take some photos and get back tomorrow.

Thank you for your time, I appreciate it.

 

No problem.
I’m actually relieved to hear it was the inside fuse.
It think we can figure this out.

 

Turn lights on and check it. Great idea.

Something else to check.

Thanks

 

This would suggest to me you have a bad brake light switch, you should have power on both sides of the switch with the brake pedal depressed.

 

I just had to go check.

CORRECT, lights on, inside 10 amp fuse has power. Duh! It's marked tail light.

Still have power on both sides of the outside 10 amp fuse marked stop.


I checked switch again. Power to one terminal only. Maybe the connector?

 

Thanks

I'll do some checking tomorrow. It's late.