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Question: My 2004 jeep grand cherokee brake lights don't work?

(Posted by: Taylor on 2010-03-09 06:30:12)

The two on the side are out but the one on the top works. One day the two on the side just stopped and then the next day all three worked and then stopped working. Now just the top works. Is it the fuse?

Posted by: chris k on 2010-03-09, 07:42:36

Yea the filament in the bulb in the Tail L is on its way out and giving a little few last hurrahs before it burns all the way out. Replace all bulbs on tailight with brand new ones and make sure they are same wattage bulbs as your OEM bulbs cause it will mess up your on board Diagnostic Computer if they arent. Replace them and it will go away. If it was a fuse it wouldnt work at all because the power would be cut out on that circuit. Remember a fuse is either good or bad there is no intermittent light blinking stuff like you have here. Last if you have an aftermarket trailer hook up or "plug in " in the back look at these wires to see if something isnt completely connected in that harness cause they do come loose over time if not properly connected and this would give you these symptoms. Feel free to email me if you want anything else.

Posted by: D C on 2010-03-09, 06:37:39

I would check your bulbs first. Then get a multimeter and have someone push the pedal and check to see if have 12 volts coming to the socket. if no voltage check ur fuse. if its good look at your brake switch. its located at the top of ur brake lever just follow the pedal up. u should see some type switch. disconnect the wires going to it should only be like 2 maybe 3 anyways now you are going to be looking for conitnuity. if you get it. look for a shorted out wire. matter of fact i am an idiot look for a loose ground first around the tail lights. if there working one min then not the next you could have a loose ground wire. Good Luck

Posted by: Roger on 2010-03-10, 06:49:00

This is definitely not a fuse or switch issue. The top light working eliminates both of those. I do not think it is a bulb issue either. One flaky bulb maybe, but not two, not very likely. I would look for a wiring problem and as mentioned before, if an after market hitch has been added that would the very first place I would look. Are the tail lights and the turn signal working? If not check for a grounding problem. Good luck

Posted by: STEVE on 2010-03-12, 14:16:44

Very common complaint. Most often it is corroded wiring to the rear tail lights.