Brake lights don't work

I have a 2006 Tacoma. When I bought the truck used the previous owner had installed a receiver and tow package wiring kit. The brake lights on the tail lights are not working. Turn signals, driving lights and reverse lights all work. The 3rd brake light on the cab works as well, just not the brake lights on the tail light assemblies. I checked the fuse under the hood and it looks fine, even replaced it just in case but still no luck. I disconnected the wiring for the tow pkg and re connected the factory wiring, still no luck. Any ideas?

 

Did you check the fuses?

It could also be a bad pedal switch, among other things

 

Not to sound like a tool, just offering a quick idea.....did u try new bulbs?

And u checked the stoplamp fuse right?

Im wondering if the tow package has another hidden fuse......did u check for voltage at the connectors?

 

It def wont be the brake light switch under the pedal since u state the 3rd brake light works.
Also if automatic, it wouldn't shift outta park without the over ride if it was the switch.....just 1 less thing to worry bout

 

I checked and even replaced the 10 amp fuse under the hood in the panel. I didnt check the bulbs but both sides are out and i suppose both could fail at the same time.

 

When my trick did that it was a wire that backed outta the fuse box

 

Good eye, I didn't read the thread well enough.

 

AZ Scott, Did you figure out what was wrong with your tail lights and break lights? I have a 2014 tacoma and same thing is wrong with mine. Neither my brake lights or tail lights will work plus it won't go in gear unless I push the override button. Everything else including turn signals, reverse lights, and head lights work. Anybody know what could be causing the problem?

 

Brake light switch maybe?
Cheap and takes 30 seconds to swap it out

 

That's a good possibility, but then why won't my gear shift move unless I push the over ride button to put it in gear.

 

Thats exactly what mine did.

Safety feature i assume.
U want ppl to be out driving without working brake lights?

Edit.... maybe its because the switch isnt registering pressure on the pedal, therfore you cannot shift out of park....just like u need to have the pedal depressed to shift out if park on a working truck. The circuit needs to be completed, and it wont with a bad switch unless you use the override. But that just means your rollin round with no brake lights.

Use a wall behind u or garage door.... rapidly pump the brakes. They may come on 1 out of every 15 depresses. I had same issue/results/cure.

Hell, take it out, wipe off any excess dielectric grease, reinstall and u MIGHT get some extta use out of it. Dont ask me why, dont even ask me why i tried, but it worked for a few days.

Point is, its free to try and if somehow.... SOMEHOW, it works, well u know its the brake light switch.

Should be about 30 bucks, factory item tho... napa or the like will have to order from toyota themselves, so save some money and get it direct yourself if thats the culprit

 

Also, when u hit the brake pedal, do u hear a click by the center console?

 

I'm scheduled to take it to the toyota garage this Tuesday to have them look at it. If that's what it is maybe I'll just order a new switch and put it in myself. No, I don't believe I hear a clicking sound when I press the brake but maybe I'm just not hearing it.

 

Should be a fairly loud click, i assume its the shiftlock disconnecting that one normally hears.

Hopefully they dont charge u $200 to diagnose a $30 part.

This is all by memory, i havent slept yet.... if im wrong i hope someone here will correct me.

 

I think I'll order the switch and try that. If that doesn't work then I'll take it to the garage. Thank you for all your help and advice.

 

Sure thing... good luck!

 

I just seen this

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/no-brake-lights-switch-and-fuses-are-good.349880/#post-9371115

 

There's only 2 fuses for the lights and if the IG1 fuse was out you'd have more issues than just a brake light bulb.

The 10A Stop fuse is under the hood, and it sounds like you swapped it.

The stop light switch is super easy to diagnose without replacing. Disconnect it and jump the 2 large wires with a small wire. All the stop light switch does is complete the simple circuit in the large wires to the brake light. The two small wires are for the cruise control.

Beyond that its time to bust out a multimeter.

 

I'm having similar problems with my 07. Mine blows the 10amp fuse under the hood. Sometimes it will last a day, week or maybe 3 weeks and other times it pops instantly when I push the break pedal.
I replaced the stop Light sensor first, with no luck. Had the truck at the dealer 3 times and to a local mechanic once. Still the same shit!
Might time to revisit the stop light switch and maybe some wire chasing...
always open for suggestions.

 

JT. did you figure out what the culprit was?