No brake lights after brake job

[Brianr4]

Just changed the front pads and rear shoes on 2008 Yaris few days ago. Now brake lights don't come on. I am guessing they haven't worked since that day, but I just noticed this morning as it was dark out when I left home.
Anybody know what could be the problem?
I just checked my fuse under the dash, and if I pulled the correct one, it was ok. (At work with no flashlight at the moment, hard to see for now).

thanks in advance for any help.

[WeeYari]

I'm willing to bet bulbs were out before day of brake job.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Brianr4]

I know they were working the day I did the work. I use a car lift at my dad's place and he pulled the car on the lift and I saw the brake lights working as he pulled on the lift.
All tail lights are working. But all 3 brake lights are out.

[WeeYari]

Fuse 38 is the one to pull. There is a spare 10A fuse in the engine compartment fuse box. Try swapping it in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Brianr4]

Will try that after work today. Thanks.
Was also thinking the first time I pushed the pedal before pressure built up, the pedal went to the floor. Wondering if the light switch on the pedal maybe came lose due to the pedal traveling more than normal.

[tmontague]

Hmm, I don't think the pedal travel has much to do w/ it. That being said, you don't want to push your pedal all the way down after a brake job or when bleeding the brakes. I've heard that this can be bad for the master cylinder. Just 3/4 pushes until the pressure builds back up.

Take a look near the pedal where the switch is located and see if anything is disconnected. Also definitely check the fuse

[CTScott]

The switch is at the top of the brake arm. It is open when the brake pedal is not touched and closes when you touch the pedal.

[Brianr4]

after checking all fuses, i checked the brake light switch to see if it was loose. i twisted it once and the lights came on for a second. started to tap the pedal few times and the lights would come on at times.
took the switch out and put it back in. this made them work more often, but still not every press of the pedal.
the switch plunger part is fully extending, so im guessing the switch is going out.
just sprayed with some silicone to see if that helps. :iono:

[CTScott]

after checking all fuses, i checked the brake light switch to see if it was loose. i twisted it once and the lights came on for a second. started to tap the pedal few times and the lights would come on at times.
took the switch out and put it back in. this made them work more often, but still not every press of the pedal.
the switch plunger part is fully extending, so im guessing the switch is going out.
just sprayed with some silicone to see if that helps. :iono:


The part number for 06-08 is: 84340-69065. For some reason Toyota has a new part number for 09+: 84340-19025. Maybe they improved an issue with the earlier ones...

[Brianr4]

well after putting it back together, letting it sit over night. got in this morning, everything working fine. :thumbsup: for now...:iono:

going to get a new switch anyway.

thanks for the help! :thumbup:

[Brianr4]

before leaving work today i saw the lights were not working again. went to oreilly's for replacement. changed it out and seems to be working fine.

new switch came with the plastic holder/clip, that i wasnt going to use, but i guess from removing the original a few times, that clip broke.