All three brake lights are on unless a blinker is turned on, then the brake lights go off temporarily. Any ideas, thanks in advance. 2001 Blazer

 

Do the brake lights pulse with the blinker or do they turn off completely?

George

 

Thank you for the reply. So I went outside to verify and now the brake lights are off and I have no blinkers at all. Could this be a ground issue?

Thanks again.

 

By blinkers do you mean turn signals, hazard lights or both?


George

 

Just an fyi, the blinkers and lights all run through the four-way emergency switch on the steering column. These have a tendency to break and fail. Especially if you had to take the dash bezel off. They tend to break the top off the switch and make it so it doesn't stay in place. Not that this is NECESSARILY what is wrong but it does cause similar problems. Also check the switch on the brake pedal. If it is stuck it can cause the brakes to stay on. But if everything is out it might be something else. But these are two to check into. The emergency switch on the steering column can be pulled out with a small screwdriver. There will be a small notch you slide the screwdriver in to get the tab loose. These are easy to replace...IF you can find one at a junk lot. They are so easy to replace anyone who knows will usually pull one or two out as spares for later.

 

Great. I appreciate the information. The problem seems very erratic and changes each day. I order the entire multifunction switch and going to try that. Since I can get lights I assume grounds and stuff are ok, so hopefully the switch is the issue.

A bunch of other codes just popped up, so I think the guy I bought it from must have just cleared all of them. The air pump, TCC and engine lean codes. So now I have a lot more to figure out. thanks again!