im am at a standstill. i dont know what to do next besides taking the car to get it diagnose. the problem is that the brake light wont come on when i step on the brake. i check the connector at the pedal, seem fine. also i checked the bulbs and fuses. the repair manual says to check the brake circuit in the tail light and it seem fine. the reverse light work though. so im stumpped. any ideas???

 

Test for 12volt power with a 12volt test light- at the bulb sockets when the brakes are being pressed on by helper-
There is a switch that goes behind the brake pedal- if that fails - no brake lights
cheap easy part to replace- common failure- ask the parts store- brake light switch

Do the parking lights work?

 

I had this problem on my 2.5TL and found the brake switch was not extending (spring loaded) when the brake pedal was pushed, consequently brake lights stayed off. This switch is visible, but replacement looks to be major surgery under the dash, perhaps requiring lowering the steering wheel for access. Acura Shop Manual is no help. I fixed mine by spraying liberally w/ WD 40, excercising the switch, and that has worked for over a year now. Boy was I pleased I didn't have to replace that switch!

good luck

 

all the light works. i plug the blue plug, dont know what that is, into the brake light circuit and the brake light and the reverse do come on. i check that brake switch and it seem to extend when the brake is depress.

 

Well the next step is use a test light as said in first reply
you know there is power to the taillights, which is not the same as power to the brake lights/turn signal
thats the next bulb test- do the turn signals in back work?? thats the side of the bulb that is the brake lights too

Just because a switch moves does not mean the electrical contact inside still work- how many years has it been getting used? the 12v tester will show when power is going thru the switch and not
WD or electric contact cleaner can help if grunge in the part is the problem- always worth the easy fix try

 

thanks to texas and 01tl. i finally got it working. i was about to give up and send it to the shop. like 01tl was saying, the switch moves but the contact inside could be bad. i finally try spraying some lubricant on the switch, and to my suprise the brake light came on. also i was bypassing the safety on the trans, because i couldnt get it out of gear, and now i dont need the bypass anymore. a big thanks again.