Hello, I recently bought my 2000 honda civic ex from a private party and came home to find out that the break lights don't flash when i step on the breaks. I turned on the headlights and the rear lights shine. when i press on the breaks nothing happens. i checked the fuse and they all seem to work. does anyone have an idea on whats wrong with my car? thanks.

 

You checked the fuse,
but did you try replacing the bulb?

 

Lol

 

the bulbs work fine cause when i turn on the headlights they light up. so im pretty damn sure that its not the bulb.

 

Unless it's a dual filament bulb. Check it at least...jeez don't get all defensive because he tried to help you. It's a free thing to check, just pull the bulb and see if the filament is intact. If it's not then you have your answer, if it is then look for more complicated things.

K.I.S.S.

 

IF all fuses good all connects are tight usually break lights are diffrent then taillights if all else fails take it to the shop

 

i gave it a look and the bulbs looks fine. and i also thought that it would be a odd coincidence if both bulbs are messed up. thanks for the info tho.

 

how much would that cost...?

 

^he's right... taillights ARE different than brake lights, are you sure you looked at the lights while stepping on the brake pedal???

if you take it to the shop.... the price can vary depending on what the hell they're doing.

And thanks for having my back BAKINGTIME.

 

Sounds like you need a Helms manual then. If you search around you can find them for download for free(or buy one for around $100 I think?). It has step by step trouble shooting guides that will help you out...and it will be invaluable for other fixes too. It will require some basic knowledge of electrical systems, and probably the use of a multimeter, so if that sounds like too much then you should probably take it to a shop.

 

oh thanks, i googled it and found it. at first i didnt know wat it was called. i guess ill read it like my bible.

 

it could be just the bulb need changing, happened to mine, side light worked, but the break light didnt work. so i replaced the bulb and work fine now.

 

There is a switch down near your pedal that may have crapped out. Buy, rent, steal, whatever a factory service manual and test that brake light switch.

 

yea i took out the switch and it does look crapped out. i brought it to a friend's house and he said it gave good signals or watever.. i just hope i dont have to take it to a shop, gonna cost alot.

 

Check to see if there is a relay that controls them.

 

brake lights have constant power is your horn working there on the same fuse check the fuse for your horn just an idea

 

the horns works fine. the fuse isnt fried or anything. and i wouldnt know how to check the relay... but i think my friend did that for me already. anything else you guys might think?

 

They're right. '99-'00 Civic brake lights (besides the third brake light that's either in the rear window or on the spoiler) are a dual filament bulb.

The bulb has two filaments in it. One filament lights up for the taillight function. Another filament lights up for the brake light function. If one filament breaks, then one function of the light might not work.

Pick up another bulb and see if it works in the taillight. This is one of the cheapest things to try first.

It is odd for all the lights to blow at once, but perhaps they blew one by one when the previous owner owned it.

 

i went out and bought a brake switch, turns out it wasnt the problem. other than that... wat else is there?

bulbs - checked, fuse - checked, switch - replaced. sigh... im getting frustrated.

 

So you have the helms correct? It should have a step by step diagnosis on what to check.

 

2000 civic ex coupe. Breaklights out. replaced switch checked bulbs fuses and harness on driver side rear. any suggestions?