I have an 89 YJ and I'm having a problem with my brake lights that I can't figure out. I was backing up the other day and noticed that my brake lights weren't coming on.
The parking lights, back up lights, and hazards all checked out okay. I went out and bought a new brake light switch, but that didn't fix the problem. As it turns out, both the old and new switches work when I squeeze them with pliers. However, neither works when installed. If we bypassed the brake switch altogether, the lights came on. While I was at it, I checked the wiring and it all checked out okay.
I believe it's a mechanical problem, not an electrical one. After a lot of frustration, I finally figured out that the lights will come on if I move the switch around on the rod coming out of the power brake booster. Thinking that the rod that connects the power brake booster to the brake pedal might have worn, I replaced the booster, but that didn't fix the problem either.
It certainly seems like it's a mechanical connection problem, but I don't know where the problem is. As far as I know I've put everything back together correctly. I've had it by the dealer and they only came up with the same things I already figured out.
I know I could simply install a universal switch, but I'd like to get it working properly.
Thanks for your help! Steve