A very nice lady told me today that my 3rd brake light was working, but my bottom two are not. I checked and I have the 3rd light and turn signals, but no bottom brake lights.

My thinking is my turn signal switch has went bad. I'm guessing the 3rd light is direct off the brake light switch, and since the turn signal switch controls which brake light comes on when your turning, my thinking is my brake light switch has gone bad.

Any thoughts on this? I just don't want to put a $130 switch in and it's not the problem.

2001 ZR2

 

those things are $130? that sucks. usually the way ive seen it is the third brake light and the turn signals are controlled by the multifunction switch in the steering column and the lower two lights are controlled by the brake light switch. dont recall if that applies to s10s.

first thing first, check your bulbs, yes you can actually blow both your brake light bulbs at the same time, but im guesing those are the same bulbs that are also your turn signals so that probably wouldnt apply here.

 

130 for the switch?? You must be talking about the multifunction switch. The brake light switch is like 5-10 bucks. Multifucntion switch is spendy. If you need that, check rock auto.

 

i have this problem.....mine has to do with the hazard switch on the steering column. if its not in the right spot, i have no lower brake lights, but i still have everything else. running lights, blinkers and third brake light. but yeah. mine broke so i got one from RockAuto for like 9 bucks or something plus shipping. but if you go that route, you more than likely have to go to Rock auto for it. i called 3 dealers in my area and no one sells just the hazard button. they want to sell me the whole thing for 336 dollars....what a rip!!
if you get one from Rock, i think that you can pull the contacts out a little bit, i think that they are spring loaded. if you can, do that. mine just isnt making good contact and now i have the same problem you do.
so yeah, wiggle the hazard button and with your foot on the brake and you might have your answer.... good luck.

 

This is very likely the hazard warning switch in the steering column. There was a recall for this issue and I was able to get mine replaced by the dealer at no charge.

 

Multifunction switch is the problem

 

My son had same issue and if you can believe this swaping the fog lamp fuse in the under the hood fuse box with the third brake light fuse was all it took to fix it. Also worked for a friend. worth a try it costed us nothing to do, and then we just got a new fuse for the fog lamps.