Brake lights not working?

2006 HONDA CRV
76,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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JANEDOE3120
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3 of the 5 brake lights will not work when I compress the brake. They do however light up when I turn the headlights on (but when I hit the brake only 2 of them get brighter). I have checked the bulbs and they are all good. I just checked the fuses last night and nothing was out (but my radio doesn't work now). I looked at the brake light switch and it seems fine. I am not exactly sure how it is supposed to look but the button would go in and out with ease when I hit the brake. Could you give me some theories on why my lights are doing this and how to fix it?
May 25, 2011 at 2:08 PM
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KHLOW2008
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Hello,

It sounds like you have the wrong bulbs installed or the fuse # 7 - 15 amp is out. Here is a guide to help you fix the brake light and the brake light wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works.


https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-lights-not-working

and test for power through the brake light switch by the brake pedal.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester


Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is. Cheers
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May 25, 2011 at 2:16 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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Hi there,

Check the fuse, and if that is OK, check the brake light switch on top of the brake pedal under the dash.

Mark (mhpautos)
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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GREASEMONKEY1
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brake lights not working nor is the 3rd (center) light. fuse is ok. bulbs appear ok although 1 looks a bit burnt but filament appears intact, however even if 1 bulb is bad wouldn't other side work? switch is ok as just tried a new one and still didn't work. can hear relay click with current switch as well as original. recently had transmission rebuilt. is there some type of ground wire that could have been disconnected when trans rebuilt? all other lights and horn work. any suggestions??? THANKS!!!
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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It could be a ground or the switch itself could be bad. Check that too.
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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GREASEMONKEY1
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Thank you Jacobandnickolas ...but ... I tried a new switch and they still don't work so I checked for power at the fuse and found the fuse had a bad connection so I fixed that now the brake light work! I love this site.
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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TAMMY SHORTY
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I am having the exact same issue. Did you figure it out? Is there a separate ground wire?
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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STRAILER
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Hello,

There is a fuse #7 15 amp that needs to be checked for power. Here is a guide to show you how with the fuse location and the brake light wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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ZTROUTMAN
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I have a 2004 Honda CRV. My side brake lights are out, but the little one up top isn't. It's not the bulbs, because the bulbs work fine when used in reverse or hazard lights, so they aren't burnt out. I thought it might be a fuse, so I checked the fuses and they all seem to be fine. Any idea what might be the problem?
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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WRENCHTECH
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Hello,

If the high mount light is working then it must be the bulbs because the system is wired together. I would check the bulbs because they are separate from the others. Here is a guide and the brake light wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-lights-not-working

Check out the diagrams (Below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers
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Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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RKAUSTIN
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I had this problem too, I checked the bulbs they were burnt out! Thanks 2CarPros.
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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DHAFT
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My brake lights are not working, I looked to see if there was a fuse that controls them, but couldn't find one, am I missing something?
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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DOCFIXIT
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Check the switch high up on the pedal it maybe out of adjustment. If button is coming out when pedal is depresed remove connecter and jumper lights on, then replace switch. No lights check the bulbs.
Hope this helps
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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PAUL AASRUD
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2002 honda crv 79,000 miles, my brake lights quit working - I replaced fuse under hood and all light bulbs they still dont work what do I do now ? thanks, Paul
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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BRUCE HUNT
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Check under the vehicle on the tranny. See if they wire for the lights has been disconnected or cut. IF not, the sender is bad.
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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PAUL AASRUD
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Hi,my brake lights quit on my 2002 CR-V. I replaced the fuse under hood marked 'horn/brakes' and all of the lights 5 of them including the one in back window. The lights still don't work- what do I do next?
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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RASMATAZ
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Try the relay its located behind the right rear quarter panel. If it checks out do below.

Test the brake switch at the brake pedal-one of the contact's on it should have power and when pedal is depressed the power goes to the other contact then back to the lights.
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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GWYNN55
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2004 Honda CRV V8 80000 miles

I replaced lights and still not working. The reverse light and turn signal work. Is there a fuse and where is it. On the fuse panel nothing says rear brake light.
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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KHLOW2008
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Hi gwynn55, It is fuse # 7 in under hood fuse box.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_FuseHood04CRVFig05_1.jpg

The horn shares the same fuse an if it is working, then check the brake switch located on bracket above the brake pedal.
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM (Merged)
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RBRAVINE
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Dear Sirs,
Since both brake lights went out at the same time I am thinking that this may be a fuse problem. However I have not been able to locate a fuse for the rear brake lights. The owners manual does not identify the location of such a fuse and does not even suggest that this vehicle has one (which I find to be very strange). Please let me know where the brake fuse is located or if you believe it could be another problem. Thanks.
Rick (8/18/08)
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:26 PM (Merged)
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KHLOW2008
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Hi Rick ,

Check the underhood fuse box for a stop/hazard fuse.
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:26 PM (Merged)
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JJCDOC
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Electrical problem
2002 Honda CRV Two Wheel Drive Automatic 44000 miles

Please provide information on replaceing the driver's side brake light bulb...a diagram would be nice
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:26 PM (Merged)
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KHLOW2008
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Hi jjcdoc, Remove the holding bolts ( C ) to get the taillight off and the bulbs can be removed.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_Taillight02CRV_1.jpg

Oct 24, 2018 at 1:26 PM (Merged)
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ROB_OB
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How do you replace the brake light bulbs
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:26 PM (Merged)
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HONDA TECH 1818
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open the tailgate and locate the two srews on the tailight.
Oct 24, 2018 at 1:26 PM (Merged)
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MNEWMAN200
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After checking fuses and switch and about to tear into wiring, my wife suggested checking the bulbs. Both had burned out, replaced, fixed....Occam's razor :(
Jul 16, 2023 at 11:24 AM