Tahoe Brake Lights don't work

[Robert J.]

I took it upon myself to try to diagnose the problem with my trailer lights not working (big mistake). It turns out that it was just the electrical plug on the vehicle (Tahoe) side.

I attached the new plug to the vehicle but had to disconnect it quickly when someone had to use it to run to the store. I wrapped the wires (with bare ends) around the hitch and forgot about it later on.

My wife drives the vehicle and someone stopped her and told her that her brake lights weren't working. When I went to look at it today I discovered that the hazard lights and turn signals weren't working either! Then I remembered the wires that I had wrapped around the hitch! Duh! I put the new plug on and the turn signals and running lights now work, but the brake and hazard lights still do not. The fuses look good. I must have shorted something out somewhere.

Any thoughts? I'd greatly appreciate any help. I'd like to get to Mille Lacs but I am afraid to drive there without brake lights.

I should stick to fishing!

[perchjerker]

Its probably a fuse. Sometimes another fuse is associated with a circuit, or the owners manual dosent show it correctly.
I would take a test light, ground the clip end and go to each fuse and touch the tip of the light to each end of the fuse with the brakes on. You will have power at each side of the fuse if its good. You might be suprised to find one burned out you didnt expect.

[Walizz 1]

You might also check the flasher module. Should be right where the fuses are. Also check under the hood for another fuse box. Ford has one there, don't know about Chevy.

[alleyyooper]

What Year is it. Is it a 4x4 model. I can look at a service manul. Hope it doesn't have a rear intergrator module thats fried.
Al

[Dan]

My '97 has an additional fuse box under the hood. Worth checking.

[Robert J.]

It's a 1997 Tahoe. I checked the bulbs and they all seem fine. I'm going to try testing the fuses here shortly, as Perchjerker suggested. After I have a beer and a brat of course!

In searching a bit online it was suggested that it may be a brake light switch. Does that make any sense seeing that the hazard lights don't work either?

When I try to turn on the hazard lights the right turn signal light in the dash comes on quickly and then goes out. It's like it's "trying" to turn on.

Thanks for the help and all the suggestions guys. I'm still struggling with it, but you've given me some great suggestions!

[Robert J.]

After checking all the fuses in the box under the hood, all the light bulbs and basically giving up, I called the dealer this morning.

There is another fuse panel, built into the dash that I didn't even know was there. I had been looking "under" the dash and could not find anything! There was a blown 20a fuse under that panel in the dash.

I feel stupid, but much wiser (ha ha).

Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to Mille Lacs now.

[AfterDawn]

Had the same thing happen to me on my '97 Tahoe.
The fuse panel is on the side of the dash -- open the drivers side door and look there.
Dave