Ok, anyone know what can be wrong or if there is a fix for this problem.

First I noticed the outer LEDs on the center brake light were dim compared to the center, so I have the dealership order me a new center light, and swap it in, now I am noticing random dimness.......

Like the brake lights are all much much dimmer when I press them than they should be, and one out of like 10 presses on the brakes will make them really bright........

Almost like they arent getting enough power.........

Only electronics I added were DVD player, tv tuner antenna, and doms unit which are all powered from the extra add on a circuit at the fuse box, but all devices are off.........also have the rear camera coming from the reverse lights, which work fine.

Someone please help.

 

Does anyone know where the brake light swith is? Because the dealership replaced the clutch pedal due to the clicking noise, and I am thinking maybe the switch is messed up for the brake lights?

But they work all the time, just DIM like 90% of the time, and bright like they should be like 10% of the time

 

The brake light switch should be located under the dash on the brake pedal bracket.

Do you have a Digital Multimeter at you disposal?

If you do, check the voltage at the High Mount Brake light module when the brake pedal is depressed, it should be at least 13.8 volts with the engine running.

The other possibility is you might be having grounding issues for the brake lights.

Best regards

frenchnew

 

Thanks, at this point I am guessing no one had this problem.

So does anyone have the wiring diagram for the brake light system?

I think the dealer might have done something when doing the clutch pedal assembly. I wouldnt even know where it was supposed to be grounded.......but I too think its a grounding issue.

I was testing it and it seems that it would go on DIM, and than be bright after the brake lights are on for a few secods, but most of the time they stay lit DIM.

A few times they didnt go on at all. I disconnected power to the DVD stuff, and it doesnt seem to matter. So it is a ground or switch itself on the pedal, so I think.

I am running a camera on the reverse lights, and I am almost sure it has nothing to do with the brake lights, just need someone to confirm. I will be trouble shooting it more tomorrow since its raining now, so if anyone have a good simple diagram of the braking system and where it was supposed to be grounded that would be great.

Thanks.

 

I have the diagram but can't use my scanner as my present computer does not want to complete the software installation.

Are all the 3 brake lights DIM or only the High Mount Brake light?

If all 3 are dim, I would suspect the Brake Pedal Switch.

The way they have this wired on the TL, the brake light switch is connected on the posistive side and switches +12Volt On & Off.

There are 3 distinctive grounds for the brake lights.

The Driver side Brake light ground point (G701) is located inside the trunk on the driver side wall just about were the trunk lid opening ends on the front.

This ground point (G701) is also used for Left Rear Side Marker Lamp, Left Brake Light/Tail Light, Left Rear Turn Signal light, Left & Right Backup Lights, License Plate lights, Trunk Latch Switch & Trunk Lid Opener Diode.

The Right Side Brake Light ground point (G604) is located inside the trunk on the passenger side across from the Left side ground point.

This Ground Point (G604) is also used by the Right Rear Side Marker Light, Right Brake Light/Tail Light, Right Rear Turn Signal Light, Navigation Unit & XM Receiver.

The High Mount Brake light Ground (G601) is located under the driver seat.

This ground point (G601) is also used for Windshield Wiper High Relay, Intermittent Wiper Relay, Washer Motor Relay, Driver's Door Key Cylinder Switch, Driver's Door Lock Knob Switch, Driver's Door Lock Switch, Roof Console, Driver's & Passenger Vanity Mirror Light Switches, High Mount Brake Light, Wiper/Washer Switch, HandsFree Link Control Unit, Automatic Dimming Inside Mirror, Accessory Power Socket Relay. Left Rear Door Lock Switch, Left Rear Power Window Switch, Driver's Seat Belt Switch, Driver's Seat Heater, Power Seat Control Unit, Lumbar Support Switch, Left Power Mirror & Turn Signal/Hazard Relay, MICU.


If your car is still covered under warranty, I would let the dealer figure it out.

Best regards

frenchnew

 

Thanks for the info, this starting to maybe form a picture........

You mentioned the wiper motor, I am using the DRL module, which is using the wiper motor for the ignition switch, the DRL have been acting up, but I have not touched the grounds for it under the rear passenger seat.

The Lights ALL DIM when there is a problem, making it rule out the GROUND issue, since you said that they all have different grounds. So that means they wouldn't all DIM at the same time, unless it is in fact the brake light SWITCH.

I would rather let the dealer do it, but I dont want them to go into the wiring and tell me the warantee is voided since I installed

DRL
DVD Conversion
TV Tuner Antena
Blitzsafe......

They might try to flip it on me, even though they just did the clutch pedal assembly and I am sure they messed something up on the switch.

 

Anyone else hava access to a diagram, it would help, thanks.

 

Well I solved my own problem, so glad I didnt have to take it back to the dealer.

Basically, my guess was a good one, they must have removed some clips and switched when doing the clutch pedal, and when they reinstalled the brake light switch it just wasn't in correctly, so I played with it for a while, reinstalled it, and all is perfect as it should be.

Lights go on perfectly everytime.

Thanks to those who tried to help me out on this one. Thankfully it was a lot easier of a fix than I thought it would be.

 

I had a problem with the driver's side tail light being half the brightness of the passenger side when the headlights were turned on, while brake light brightness of it was fine. Dealer replaced the tail light.

 

05 RL: I have dim brake lights (LED) and the center brake light works intermittently. Also, sometimes the break lights do not come on at all. I will be taking it to the dealer on Tuesday: extended warranty has paid for itself x2 already. Anyone else have this problem with an RL?