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99 Malibu - ctr brake light works, other 2 don't


Scott-Ohio
08-12-2008, 08:43 AM
i've check all 4 bulbs (2 each side), fuses, relay and all are good. when this happened to my 96 monte carlo, it was the turn signal switch, so it's likely the same problem again.

it appears there is still NO recall on this issue with GM vehicles, even though people obviously have reported probs all over the net. one interesting thread mentioned tapping in to the 3rd brake light circuit, then wiring to pigtail/bulb on each side to overcome this prob, but that was on a 97 lumina--not so easy on my 99 malibu as the back of tail light assembly has 1 multi-pin plug and bulbs are pulled from dedicated sockets in front of assembly--2 parking/brake lights on each side.

this sucks cuz wipers, cruise cntl, and turn signals all work fine and i can't even get brake lights to work while wiggling the turn signal control. dealer wants $170 for part and 2 hours (@ $90/hour) for whopping $350+ bill that only comes with a 12-month warranty cuz it's a crap design that faults ALOT! rock auto has part for ~$75, but am concerned about trying to replace myself due to air bag, etc.

i know they wired it this way so the brake light switch would cancel the cruise control, but why is it that other non-GM cars don't appear to have this prob?

any thoughts on replacing this myself or other work around would be GREATLY appreciated. i don't feel like getting raked through the coals AGAIN like i was with the `96 monte.

thanks in advance, scott

bearcatdon
08-13-2008, 10:43 PM
I had the same issue with a Jimmy. My problem was a short in the wiring harness near the connector. I jumped the brake switch and had someone look for the lights to come on while I bent and wiggled the harness under the dash. Once the lights came on, I tie wrapped the harness to the steering column in that kinked position which now gave me a proper connection. As Mickey Mouse as it sounds, it saved a lot of work and troubleshooting. It was still working 3 years later when the truck got scrapped.

AD2BU
08-22-2008, 09:49 PM
Another common prob on these vehicles is in the backplate that holds the bulbs for the rear lamps. Not sure if this is your problems, but here is some info from personal experience on this. The lamps get so hot - one of two failures will occur: 1) the backplate will warp and no longer make a good connection with the bulb, or 2) the lead wires on the bulb will get so hot, they'll melt into the plastic base of the bulb.

Fixes:
1) bend the contacts in the sockets on the backplate to make a good contact with the bulb. Then put dielectric grease in the socket to help with the thermal prob.
2) replace bulbs with glass base bulbs (I think either Wagner or GE makes these). Then replace with dielectric grease in the socket.

Good luck.

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