No brake lights, barely functioning cruise control

[jclark5810]

So after lots of searching, I may be more confused than when I began. In my 06 auto, I have no brake lights but have turn signals, running lights etc. The cruise will work sometimes, but only when holding the brake pedal up with my foot. Then it sometimes lasts for hours or sometimes immediately disengages. I tried a stop switch/brake light switch and that didn't have an effect. I installed it correctly and didn't touch it once i flipped the lever.

I'm at a loss and am about 8 hours from "home". I'm at our cabin in CA and have tools handy but don't really know where to start. I really don't want to drive back without brake lights as I planned to do the drive at night. Thanks as always for the help!

 

[jclark5810]

About the best I could do was to put in a new switch until I got home. Napa had a 3-yr replacement so I just swapped it out.

Same thing as before, no rhyme or reason to the cruise control. It would work when it felt like it for miles and then sometimes go another hundred miles or so not working. Fiddling with the brake pedal definitely has something to do with it. Still no brake lights as well. Bulbs are good, however both brake lamps look half melted. Is this from them being on constantly? I'm going to get my meter out today and start checking things over.

I was under the impression you could not "adjust" the brake switch. Once you flipped the lever it was set. Is that not correct?

 

[Prairie Dog]

You should get your answer from the other forum you made the exact same post in.

 

[AllianceDiesel]

I would be looking at the switch its what is in common to your two problems. Pull the old switch apart and make sure the internals arent melting from a short before you install the new one. I have seen people install led lights and it would melt the switch.

 

[PWong]

So after lots of searching, I may be more confused than when I began. In my 06 auto, I have no brake lights but have turn signals, running lights etc. The cruise will work sometimes, but only when holding the brake pedal up with my foot. Then it sometimes lasts for hours or sometimes immediately disengages. I tried a stop switch/brake light switch and that didn't have an effect. I installed it correctly and didn't touch it once i flipped the lever.

I'm at a loss and am about 8 hours from "home". I'm at our cabin in CA and have tools handy but don't really know where to start. I really don't want to drive back without brake lights as I planned to do the drive at night. Thanks as always for the help!

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/3...lights-barely-functioning-cruise-control.html

 

[jclark5810]

I realize it's posted on other forums, I was the one that posted it there.

The more eyes/experience the merrier when it comes to troubleshooting!

I would be looking at the switch its what is in common to your two problems. Pull the old switch apart and make sure the internals arent melting from a short before you install the new one. I have seen people install led lights and it would melt the switch.

Thank you very much for the help. I'm thinking it may be a short/wiring issue and that the two problems are directly connected. I still have the old switch that originally came out, i'll pull that apart and see what's inside. Thanks again!

 

[g_dog1]

I had an issue once where my wiring harness to the brake light was worn through and the brake lights would ground out. Who-ever installed the BD 5thwheel hitch had to move the wiring harness, but didn't secure it very well.

 

[jclark5810]

Very grateful for the support of the informed minds here and other avenues. Still currently working through the issue, will definitely update when it's fixed. I'm fairly confident it's a combination of a couple things. Once being the TIPM and the other(s) being some wiring issues. I'm steadfast... if not stubborn Thanks all for the insight!

 

[mwilson]

Don't forget that the third brake light and / or related wiring could be involved as you search for the cause.

 

[jclark5810]

That's definitely on my radar. I have a camper shell on it, i'm going to try and squeeze the cover off and shoot the wires. When the brake lights weren't working, the third brake light was included. When the the brake lights were stuck on, the third wasn't illuminating. I have heard of cases where the light was short circuiting due to wire chaffing etc. It went into the shop yesterday due to an injector issue, when she gets home it's back to work.

 

[jclark5810]

So a quick update. I got the truck back after new injectors, and backed in so I could watch the brake lights. I was able to completely dictate the brake lights on and off with pulling the pedal up 1/4" or so.

I went back over the entire truck again and found the return line to the power steering pump completely twisted/folded in half. I flushed the system as well as pieced in a new piece of high strength hydro hose. So far all is working correctly and i'll continue to monitor. I'm going to take it on a long drive Saturday so hopefully that was the issue.

 

[DFrank]

My brake lights just went out too. Coincidentallyright after removing a big camper with its own brake lights.

I am suspicious of the switch at the pedal. years ago the brake lights would get stuck on, and i ended up shimming the space between the pedal and the switch to adjust it to work properly. That fix has worked for 4+ years.

I can hear a click when the switch opens and closes, that I don't remember hearing before. I think I will just replace this switch to start with.

Anything else worth looking at? I dint see a fuse for brake lights, and all the bulbs look good.

Thanks,

 

[DFrank]

Well, I guess its not the switch. I just plugged in some trailer lights and the brake lights or on those.

What should I look at next?