I have a 1995 Suburban 1500 6.5TD with 153 000 miles. I have always thought that when you put your foot on the brake pedal, the rear brake lights light up in the center of the rear tail light cluster. Is this correct?
A few months ago, I was told that my rear brake lights were not working, but the top 3rd light was working. I opened the rear red light cover and checked the bulbs – they were all working. After starting the car, the brake lights started working once again. However, a few days later they stopped working again. I took it in to two car repair places who tried to fix the problem. After the 2nd place looked at it, the brake lights were coming on in the top part of the brake light cluster – i.o.w. the top bulb, not the middle. After a few weeks, the brake lights stopped working again, but 3rd brake light is still working.
I have had two mobile mechanics from craigslist look at the problem in the last few days. They both diagnosed that there is no power coming to the rear brake lights – all the other bulbs work, except the brake lights – turn signals, tail lights and back up lights work. They checked the fuses inside the car and the fuses and relays under the hood – they all work. They said it’s not the brake light switch, as the 3rd light is working. The final diagnosis from them is that my multi function turn signal switch on the steering column has gone bad.
I have 3 questions:
1. Does this sound like the correct diagnosis?
2. If so, what kind of multi function switch must I buy and from where? I called a GM dealer and the want $497 for the part. I checked on line and the same multi function turn signal switch sells anywhere from $45 to $280. They all claim that the parts are made to OEM specs and they all have a 1 year warranty. If I need to replace the switch, do I need to get the most expensive one? Should I get an ACDelco switch even though it also has only a 1 year warranty, but costs 3 times more? The GM part number seems to be 26100985 and the ACDelco part number is D826A.
3. Finally, the mechanics each quoted me $102 and $120 to fit the switch in the steering column, figuring one a half to two hours labor total. From what I have read on line, a lot of stuff has got to come off to fit the switch, including the airbag. The mechanics say you don’t need to take out the airbag – it’s a fairly quick and easy job to do.
I would appreciate some advice and input from the members of this forum.
Thank you very much!
A few months ago, I was told that my rear brake lights were not working, but the top 3rd light was working. I opened the rear red light cover and checked the bulbs – they were all working. After starting the car, the brake lights started working once again. However, a few days later they stopped working again. I took it in to two car repair places who tried to fix the problem. After the 2nd place looked at it, the brake lights were coming on in the top part of the brake light cluster – i.o.w. the top bulb, not the middle. After a few weeks, the brake lights stopped working again, but 3rd brake light is still working.
I have had two mobile mechanics from craigslist look at the problem in the last few days. They both diagnosed that there is no power coming to the rear brake lights – all the other bulbs work, except the brake lights – turn signals, tail lights and back up lights work. They checked the fuses inside the car and the fuses and relays under the hood – they all work. They said it’s not the brake light switch, as the 3rd light is working. The final diagnosis from them is that my multi function turn signal switch on the steering column has gone bad.
I have 3 questions:
1. Does this sound like the correct diagnosis?
2. If so, what kind of multi function switch must I buy and from where? I called a GM dealer and the want $497 for the part. I checked on line and the same multi function turn signal switch sells anywhere from $45 to $280. They all claim that the parts are made to OEM specs and they all have a 1 year warranty. If I need to replace the switch, do I need to get the most expensive one? Should I get an ACDelco switch even though it also has only a 1 year warranty, but costs 3 times more? The GM part number seems to be 26100985 and the ACDelco part number is D826A.
3. Finally, the mechanics each quoted me $102 and $120 to fit the switch in the steering column, figuring one a half to two hours labor total. From what I have read on line, a lot of stuff has got to come off to fit the switch, including the airbag. The mechanics say you don’t need to take out the airbag – it’s a fairly quick and easy job to do.
I would appreciate some advice and input from the members of this forum.
Thank you very much!
