Q: Gear stuck on park. Brake lights dont turn on. Brake light switch has been changed the problem still remains.

asked by on February 11, 2017

Hi, so my gear got stuck on drive the other day and when i got home to put it into park i couldnt get past nuetral. I then engaged the shift lock and moved it park. After further inspection i saw my brake lights do not come on. So i changed my brake light switch and the problem still remained. I then proceeded to my interior fuses changing 3 since my voltometer didnt light up. After changing the fuses the brake lamp fuse and another still didnt light up. Do you have ideas as to what could be the problem. Thank you very much.

My car has 200000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Brake light is not working Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle is likely having a connection issue somewhere around the switch. Since you have a voltmeter or test light, you will want to test for power leading up to the fuses, and then after the fuses. If you have power when pressing the light after the fuse (this means the power is making it through the fuse), continue to trace that voltage until you find where it stops. This voltage drop is most likely going to be at an electrical connection or terminal, a broken or frayed wire, a faulty switch, or a bad ground connection. Currently the vehicle is in a safety mode, and tracking down the cause of the brake light switch issue needs to be the main focus. For more help resolving the issue, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

ABS light, is it safe?
You may notice you may have less control in panic stopping or in wet or slick conditions. Your brakes should operate as if you were not equipped with ABS at all. After investigation of your complaint, there are a few...
How full should I keep my gas tank?
In my opinion, you should keep your tank at least half full (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-full-do-i-need-to-keep-the-fuel-tank-at-any-given-time) at all times. This is not for any mechanical reasons but more for personal safety reasons. If you treat the halfway mark as if that were the...
Advice on buying a double-clutch Kia Optima
Yes, it is harder for maintenance, and I'm not a fan of those double-clutch systems, especially on a Kia (https://www.yourmechanic.com/scheduled-maintenance/kia-optima/). I'm actually not much of a Kia fan. Kias used to be junky little hollow jumping cars 20-30 years ago....
Oil leaking after oil change
Hi, thanks for writing in. Check the oil filter to see if it is wet with oil. If it is then the oil filter gasket from the old oil filter was not removed, causing the new oil filter to not...
Will these tires fit my 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
The 265/65 R17 tire (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-tell-the-difference-in-size-for-a-car-tire-by-jason-unrau) is considerably larger than the OEM recommended tire size of 215/55 R17. They might be good for a 4x4 look, but not necessarily practical for a Malibu. Clearance within the vehicle's wheel wells will be...
Battery charging Indicator is not glowing properly.
Check the charging unit (alternator or generator) on the heavy equipment and see if there is a charging voltage of 13.5 volts to 14.7 volts when the engine is operational. If there is only battery voltage, then the charging unit...
Locate power window fuse
Hi there. Thanks for writing in to YourMechanic.com. Although I understand your frustration about the cost of replacing an electrical relay, I can't recommend removing the single fuse to attempt to resolve this problem for two reasons. First, the fuse...
service engine soon
There is a TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN for the problem and need to reprogram the PCM to a new level. The code is for a cam sensor signal being misread by computer and this TSB needs to be done before replacing...
I asked yesterday with no response vfrom Your Mechanic. I too have the intermittent Airbag light on. I'd like a quote.
The warning light signifies a fault in the air bag control system. The recall that you are referring to addresses a circumstance where the Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module on the recalled vehicles (your model year is included, but check...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Nissan Frontier
When When looking for a truck, the 2012 Nissan Frontier could be the vehicle you’ve been hunting for. It has a great look, a strong engine, and it is reliable. The vehicle has been making gains on other trucks in...
How Long Does a Vacuum Pump Last?
Your Your car’s engine is a very complex piece of machinery. In order for it to function properly, there are a number of different components that will have to work together. Among the most important aspects of an engine is...
How to Replace a Leaking Brake Line
Metal brake lines can rust and need to be replaced if they start to leak. Upgrade yours to a copper-nickel line to resist corrosion.