05 Toyota Highlander Brake Light Problem (replace, lights, 2005, car)

[minister]

I have replaced the upper/third brake light on my 2005 Toyota Highlander twice now - and I can't get it to work. The connection does seem a bit loose. Any ideas on what to do?

[Electrician4you]

Check to see if you get power at the socket when the brake is applied. If not Check your brake light switch.

[ukrkoz]

1. put some dielectric grease into the socket. Worked on our Eclipse, but only for some time
2. Replace socket. Replacements are available at parts stores.
3. Do what E4U told you.

[Electrician4you]

Wait are your other brake lights working? If yes check the connector at the center light. Get a cheap multimeter and set to Dc volt. Ground the negative/black lead to body to a clean metal ground and the positive in one of the socket prongs. Get someone to press the brake. Whichever wire at the 3rd light socket gives you 12vdc that's your positive wire. Now let off the brake put the meter on continuity and check the other wire. If you have continuity between ground wire and the body your negative the ground is good. If no continuity between the body and ground wire you have a bad ground. If you don't get 12vdc on either wire initially to find the positive then find the ground first and if the ground is good then you don't have 12v positive at the 3rd light.

If you can check the power and ground at the wires before the socket if the power and ground both show before the socket then you have a bad socket

Does your car have yellow turn signals? Or does it use the brake light as the turn signal. If you have yellow turn signals and the red brake lights are just brake lights you can just run a new pos and neg wire from the brake light to the center mount light. Or you can trace out the break in the wiring.


If none of your brake lights work then check your brake switch. Sorry for the confusion if you need me to detail it more ill do it