In most cases a brake light switch is of the normally open type
when the brake pedal is operated this makes the switch a closed circuit
which lets the current flow from the fuse to the vehicles brake lights
On some older British vehicles the switch was in the brake line
it was operated by the hydraulic pressure in the brake circuit
when the pedal was operated
Bulbs, wiring, fuse, brake light switch.
Fuse, Bulb, Open Circuit =================================================== Just adding to the answer : If none of your brake lights work it could also be the brake light switch located on the arm above your brake pedal
Yes
How the brake lights work on a 66 Mustang is very simple. Power goes from the headlight switch to the brake light switch, then through the turn signal switch and back to the brake lights. There is no fuse in that system. There is a self resetting circuit breaker in the headlight switch, but, if that was tripped, none of the lights on the car would work. The first thing to check is the brake light switch itself by bypassing it. Unplug the connector from the switch and run a jumper from from one slot in the connector to the other. If the brake lights come on, replace the brake light switch. If they don't, the problem is either a wire has lost continuity or there is a problem in the turn signal switch.
The one on the master cylinder is the brake light switch. The one on the brake pedal is for the automatic transmission, assuming that the car is automatic.
You probably have a faulty brake light switch
Brake light switch is stuck or defective.
First you buy a good-quality 3rd brake light kit appropriate for the mounting angle on your particular car -- see the links below for examples. If your car's left and right brake lights are separate from the left and right rear turn signals (different bulbs for the brake lights and turn signals), then you just follow the instructions with the kit. If your car has combination brake/turn lights (the same red light burns steadily for brake light or flashes for turn signal) then you must run a new wire from the brake light switch to the rear of the car to feed the new 3rd brake light -- cars with combination brake/turn lights route power from the brake light switch through the turn signal switch and then from there to the back of the car; if you try to get away without running the new wire, the 3rd brake light won't work properly and you'll backfeed other lighting circuits with random results.
Could be the switch
Check for a blown brake light fuse ( in the fuse panel ) or the brake light switch at the brake pedal could be the problem. The brake light switch releases the shifter lock as well as operating the brake lights.
a crappy car. my 99 beetle has the same problem. brake light switch new, bulbs and fuses new. brake lights just work whenever the heck they want. this is one of the many reasons my car has a for sale sign in the window. good luck.
The brake light switch is broken or out of adjustment.