I had a friend point this out to me yesterday during the day that my break lights don't seem to be working. I checked all the fuses, everything seems to be fine. Not sure where to go from here? Obviously at night if I turn on my lights, they do light up but still actually breaking does not trigger the break lights. Turn signals on left and right side work fine. Thoughts?

 

Ummm... bulbs?

Turn signals on 81+ cars are separate from brake bulbs, so that doesn't tell you anything. Bulbs do burn out from time to time, and there are 2 elements on turn and brake bulbs. Have a look - the easiest solution is often the correct one.

 

Also, the switch on the brake pedal can wear out. While you have the bulbs out, have a friend step on the brake and see if you get voltage at the bulb.

 

If it were the bulbs, when I turn on the lights at night why would the break lights turn on? Sounds more like that break pedal switch wore out if anything.

 

The tail light bulbs have two separate filaments in them; a dim one that comes on wuth the headlights, and a brighter one that comes on with the brakes.

It would be kinda wierd for both bulbs to lose the same filament at the same time... but stranger things have happened.

My money would be on the switch, or on it's source of power, though; mechanical single-point-of-failure.

 

the circuit goes like this:

battery -> main fuse(able link)-> fuse box under the dash (i think?) -> brake pedal switch -) brake lights -> grounds somewhere in the back of the car.

if its not the blubs, its prolly the switch.

 

here you go... ROCKAUTO rocks! lol for 2 bucks... why not? eliminate the variables. this reminds me of a story about all four blinker lights being burnt out at the same time. i wonder if i can find that thread...

1982 MAZDA RX-7 1.1L 1146cc R2 : Electrical-Switch & Relay : Brake Light Switch Price Core Total Advice
BECK/ARNLEY Part # 2011118 More Info
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I looked at the switch and it's connected fine but you guys are saying the actual switch could be bad? I guess I'll order a new one from Rock Auto right now then.

 

did you check the bulbs though? like mentioned above use a multi meter and have a buddy step on the brake with the headlights/parking lights on and see if you notice a change in voltage or resistance. if not then your second filament (the brighter light when you apply your brakes) is dead.

 

Your switch is bad.

Long story short, I tried putting LED tail lights in the protege, since they were brighter than the stock bulbs, and my tail lights were blacked out. Installed them, and something blew. I had no brake lights, but when I turned the headlights on, my brake lights were on like I was braking.

Culprit: Brake switch.

 

Also, try honking the horn and see if it honks.

 

I have no horn

 

Check the fuse that is closest to the driver on the left side.

 

I had to replace the brake light switch on my mazda b4000 truck - twice! BTW Rockauto has em on sale for 2$!

 

Ordered the break light switch, will check the voltage tomorrow. Thanks all.

 

you really should have a horn... that switch is awesomely inexpensive!

 

You couldn't be more true on both of those statements

 

Whaaaaaaaaat?

Aftermarket steering wheel?

 

My 1984 has a "brake light warning checker" relay/switch/whatever that went bad. It shows in section "C" of the wiring diagram. I didn't replace it, I just put a jumper around it. Fixed it 3-4 years ago and it is still fine. I don't know when Mazda started putting those in, but that might be your problem if you looked at everything else. It's located up under the dash somewhere (the wiring diagrams should show exactly where). Weird that they put in a "check" system that screws the whole system up (without warning you that it is screwed up) when it goes bad.

Good Luck,

Carl

 

Yep that's right Stu!

 

Sorry, its the "stop light checker" in section "F" of the 1984 wiring diagram. Oops.

Carl

 

Well, my Robert (Rotary Shack) came by my house today and fixed the issue in about 3 minutes. He laughed about it and didn't bother saying what the issue was, thanks for all your help though guys. I guess i'll have a spare brake light switch coming tomorrow.

 

Most unsatisfying result... we want to know the answer!

 

^^

 

o.O 3 minutes? i wanna know..

make some kind of switch for your horn.. I had to use it yesterday as a benz almost hit me while he was passing me and running a red light