I'm irritated, I've searched all over trying to get an idea of what I'm up against. Found out my brake lights weren't working last week (1994 4runner 2x4). Check and changed the fuse located on the driver kickpanel (also tried the bending of the fuse arms trick) changed the bulbs checked the connection, and changed the brake light switch. If i turn on the lights everything lights up but nothing when i hit the pedal. I checked to see if there was a splice for the hitch or any trailer connections and nothing. I talked to some folks and they mentioned the bulb connections. They look clean plus, i don't see all 3 brake lights going out at the same time due to the same individual problem. Any ideas before I end up rewiring the whole thing? I'm hoping there is a connection I didn't see or something small i'm missing. I changed the starter about 1 week ago, but I dont' think I could've done anything during that.

 

Check for power and ground at the socket, at the fuse and ohm check the brake light switch.

 

Do you mean when you step on the pedal the tail lights go out??

What happens with the tail lights off stepping on the pedal??

Was the brake light switch adjusted correct??

Did you check if the old one worked??

Did you check the new one worked and was the correct one

I would start and see if you have power at the switch.

When did this issue start??

You did have the negative battery terminal off when changing the starter??

Was there extra ground wires that may have been moved or broken or did not get put back on?

This is a simple fix once the problem is found .

Break out or buy a meter and start checking.

unless for some reason you have unplugged the light harness I doubt that wiring is the problem.

Unless you owned this from new you have no idea what kind of hack wiring might be involved here.

Good Luck

 

Thanks guys ended up figuring it out, changed out all the fuses cleaned up the connectors and after the new fuses everything is working. The fuses all looked good but i switched them all out with new ones and all my lights are back.