Every component of your vehicle plays a vital role. With that, it is essential to ensure that all your car’s components are working and are in good condition. If you are driving at night, one of the most important things working in your vehicle is your lights.
So now, we will talk about the brake lights and the headlights of your vehicle. The brake lights and your vehicle’s headlights must be working, especially if you are driving at night. Without the brake lights, it is hazardous for you to drive around at night.
No other vehicles can see your approach, and that can lead to a fatal accident. With the location of the brake light, you might not always immediately see that it is not working but make it a habit to always check all your lights before driving your car. So you should know how vital the brake lights are as much as other lights in your vehicle.
As a driver, you might have found yourself in a situation where your brake lights are not working. What is more interesting is that your headlights are working, but your brake light is not. So now, we will talk about this matter.
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What Causes That Brake Light Doesn’t Work When Headlights Are On?
If you observed that your brake lights are not working, but your headlights are, you might get confused about it. It can be a strange problem because only your brake lights are not working.
So the first thing we should talk about is the reasons that cause this problem. Here are some possible reasons why your brake lights are not working, but your headlights are on.
1. You Might Have A Problem With Your Electrical Ground
If your brake light is not working, there can be a problem with your brake light switch, which can cause bad electrical ground. An insufficient electrical ground can be because of damage to the wire ends. It can also be because of a loose connection, or there can be rusting on the wires.
You can check if you will connect your light switch to a good ground using a jumper wire. You then have to press on the brake pedal.
If your brake lights work, then you may have some problems with your electrical ground. Have the ground connection fixed.
2. You Might Have A Problem With Your Light Switch And Fuse Box
There can be a problem with your light switch and your fuse box. First, you have to locate your fuse box or look for the power distribution center or the PDC in your vehicle. The PDC or the power distribution center can be under the hood.
The fuse panel is located under your dashboard. You can also locate your brake light switch under your dashboard. You must check if the plunger will touch the brake pedal arm.
If there are problems with your fuse box or your switch box, this can affect your brake lights. Check also if the fuse has blown. If it has blown, you need to replace it with a new one.
It would help if your replacement were the same type as the one that has blown. If you are done replacing, it is also essential to know why there is a blown fuse. Find the problem and fix it so that it will not happen again.
3. You Might Have A Problem With Your Turn Signal Switch
There are some vehicles in the brake light circuit that is part of the turn signal circuit. With this, your brake light might not respond if the switch is damaged. So with that, you have to check the wiring of the switch diagram and look for any damages.
4. You Might Have A Problem With Your Light Bulbs
This is the common reason why your brake lights are not working, but your headlights are on. Your light bulbs might have blown. If your brake light is not working, but all the other lights are, you should use your light bulbs.
To check it, you have to take the screws from the bulb lens. Then, you can locate and access the bulb lens through the trunk. If you’re having a hard time, check your vehicle repair manual or your owner’s manual to locate the bulb lens.
If you have located it, you have to push the bulbs and then turn them counterclockwise. This will remove it from the socket.
If the light bulbs are indeed blown or darkened parts in the light bulb, you must replace them with a new one. In changing the light bulbs, you have to choose the same type of light bulbs.
5. You Might Have A Problem With Your Wiring
If your brake lights are not working, then you have to check your wirings. You must check if the wires that connect the fuse panel and the brake light switch are damaged or loose. You also have to check the wires that connect the switch to the bulb sockets.
Check also if there is corrosion in the wires. If you have found problems in these sections, you may have to fix them or replace parts that need replacement.
How To Fix This Problem?
To fix the problem, you have to remove the tail light assembly. Then disconnect the wiring harness. You can do this by sliding a red locking clip to the side so that you can press the side of the male connector and then pull it apart.
If you have taken the tail assembly away from your vehicle, put it on a bench. Take off the light socket from the tail light or the brake light.
Inside the black plastic ring, you will see three silver contact points. The two are linked together, and one is on the opposite side of the two.
The only one in the ground and the other two are the brake and tail light contacts. There can be a problem with the ground connector. You then have to clean all the contacts.
Why Won’t My Tail Lights Work When My Headlights Are On?
Some people do not know what to do if their tail lights will not work when their headlights are on. There can also be some possible reasons for this. The headlights and the taillights have their separate connections.
So it is normal if one of them is working and the other one is now. The possible reasons for this problem are that you may have electrical issues and damaged wiring. You can also have some blown-out fuses and some burnt bulbs.
If you find yourself with this problem, check for possible reasons. If you are still unsure what the reasons are, you can consult an expert or a mechanic.
Summary
In summary, the brake lights and the headlights are an essential part of your vehicle. You need it, especially if you are driving at night.
With that, there are times when your brake lights will not work. You have to look for the cause immediately. Have it fixed right away, and do not drive at night without your lights.
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