Malibu Wagon brake lights not working

[pyrofenix]

Hey guys,

I have an 82 malibu wagon that the brake lights are not working. I have checked and replaced the brake light switch that touches the pedal, checked the appropriate fuse but the brake lights still aren't working. All of the other lights out back work including turn signals.

I'd appreciate any suggestions what to check next.

 

[LS1GN]

Have you got good clean ground? At night do the regular lights dim when you hit the brake?

What are the chances that the filaments in both bulbs are fried?

 

[pyrofenix]

All the other lights work fine with no dimming or other effect when the brakes are pushed. I checked the grounds and those look fine as well.

I pulled the wiring from the rubber connector behind the has tank and separated it from the bumper and checked the wiring and it all looks fine. Can I apply voltage from the battery directly to the appropriate wires to make sure they light up - that would definitely indicate rear lighting wire harness is good, right?

Where in the car does the wiring run from brake light switch to that connector? Is it on the driverside by the door or is the wiring brought to the rear in a different location?

 

[LS1GN]

You have a good idea, get 12v hot from the battery and touch those wires going into the bulb - they're already grounded so they should light up. You checked the fuse already.

As for the wiring, man, don't get me lyin! :lol: I THINK there is a shrouded group of wires that run down the driver's side floor near the door jamb (Body By Fisher) in the coupe models. My best guess is that it is the same in the sedans and wagons. The wiring for my 1987 rear lights come over the wheel well in the trunk and are at the extreme rear corner there on the driver's side. In 1986 there was the mandated third brake light (CHMSL) so maybe everything changed then?

 

[1983mailbuwagon]

check for power and ground at the socket. if there is not anything there, check for the same thing before the socket. they are bad for sockets. I have attched a wiring diagram for a 83. hopes this might help