I have an 88 pickup. All my lights work out back (reverse, turn signals, running lights) but my brake lights do not.
I'm just wondering how common it would be that the switch up at the pedal would be bad? Is there any way to go about testing it?
I pulled the lenses off my tail lights and it looked like both filaments were illuminating, the dimmer one just won't brighten when the brakes are applied.
Would any type of short cause only the brake lights not to work?
Is there a connection I can test further up by the switch to see, if there is a short, where in the harness it might be??
Kinda confused on this one.

 

you can use a jumper wire to connect the wires on brake switch to gather,which should turn on the brake lights . also check for power at the brake switch. one side should be hot.

 

I have a 87runner, and the the same thig is happening to me....cant seem to figure it out.

 

I'm going to try jumping them together. Would this tell if the switch was bad if they work? And if the brake lights don't work my problem is further toward the lights?

 

if you have power at the switch the lights should work when jumped. have you checked the fuses ? you can also check the power with a test light ,if you push the pedal there should be power on both sides of the switch.

 

My 1990 also has this problem: no brakelights. My mechanic can get them going by messing with the fuse box. Works for a while, but seems to work itself loose by the next day. Fuses are fine.

 

I'd start at the front and check and clean all the connections until I went all the way through the circuit.

 

Get a better Mechanic !!

So it can get fixed correct the first time.

Sounds like the socket in the fuse block might be loose if he is indeed doing something in the fuse block.

Over the course of time it gets loose again.