Turn Signal and Brake Light Problems

Do the turn lights work externally? Maybe one bulb is out! The tail lights have a double filament, one for tail and one for brake, but it could be the fuse or switch or cct. Check all your bulbs first! (Perhaps the flasher unit needs replacing!)

Check the earth (ground if you're in US) connection on the lighting clusters. If one side is faulty, that tail light still works (not quite full brightness) as it gets a return through both brake lights, and turn lights, in series, to the other, good earth. But when you brake, that tail light goes out, and the brake light doesn't come on. You can see why if you draw a simple wiring diagram. So what appears to be several problems is cured by fixing one thing.

Cheers..........Codey

The external lights work but something weird is happening with them. If one brake light or blinker bulb is out it could cause all this?

No, but one bad ground connection can cause what appears to be a multitude of problems.

Cheers.......Codey

Should I just check all light clusters?

I WOULD LOOK FOR A UNGROUNDED LIGHT FIXTURE, A QUICK CHECK CAN BE MADE

BY USEING A SHORT WIRE TO GROUND FIXTURE TO METAL ON BODY. IF LIGHTS WORK PROPERLY PROBLEM SOLVED.

You don't sound to be very good electrically, so may I suggest that you bring it to a shop where they know about such things, as doing the wrong thing could eventually cost more.......

If you don't have a clue what to look for in a bad ground, or a defective blinker unit....or a bad fuse or whatever......whats the point?

Such problems need real "hands on" knowledge, the first time or two with a clever friend guiding you, not guesswork from us on CR4.....

I would check the blinker unit for turn signals not flashing. Check the bulbs for the brake lights. If these are dual element bulbs then one element could be burned out.

Good luck

Check to ensure that the correct bulbs are installed in each location and check to inure that the correct flasher is installed. I have found incorrect bulbs installed and I have found incorrect flashers installed particularly if the door/seat belt alarm is integral to the flasher.

This may take some time, since your problem statement was not detailed enough.

"turn signals and brake lights don't work properly" does not provide enough info.

So.. Is either turn signal light working? i.e. Left or right? If only one light does not blink, change that light bulb.

I agree with Coddfisher & Jim Wright comments.

If both lights don't work, change the blinker.

Once both turn signals work, start chasing the brake lights. Are BOTH brake lights not working? If no, check grounds below. If yes, go to a maintenance shop, since it's probably the main brake light switch, and I don't know where it would be in a Maxima. Library search using "National Motor Data" books may help find it's location. If it's mechanical, it's under the dash, if its actuated by the brake hydraulic pressure it's under the car in the brake lines.

To check grounds, you need to wrap a small gauge wire around the metal base of the light bulb, or wedge it in the socket when the bulb is installed. Using an unbent paper clip can also work. Run the other end of the wire to any near by bare metal bolt or body panel. Have someone step on the brakes to see what works.

If you suspect a bad ground, it's typically cused by corrsion. The corrsion can be on the light bulb, or in the light socket. A wooden pencil eraser can be used to remove the corrsion.

Good luck,

Foxy40