3rd brake light fuse popping

[gameguru1360]

after lots of reading and searching and talking with my mechanic, I've found that the brake light switch on my 1991 corolla has fizzled and needs replacement. I cannot get out of park without pressing the override switch near the automatic gear shifter. My tail lights come on when I turn on the headlights, but pressing down on the brake pedal doesn't turn on the brake lights.

the 15a fuse for the 3rd brake light pops when I step on the brake pedal. could the brake light switch not working be the cause of the 3rd brake light fuse popping?? I tried replacing that 15a fuse 3x and and each time I've pressed on the brake pedal, it's popped.

[Young James]

probably not the case, but do you have any LED bulbs installed anywhere? I tried switching out my bulbs and the same thing kept happening until I took them out again. Also, try checking the ground for the brake switch. Sounds like it's shorting out and blowing your fuses.

[gameguru1360]

no I don't have any LED light bulbs. I have thought about replacing the headlights with halogen, but everything is pretty much stock. I did replace the rear light bulbs thinking it might have been a blown bulb, but nope, it might have something to do with the brake light switch.

[Boston Redneck]

I have seen alot of times that the wiring harness has been rubbing on something and causing it to short out. Much more prevelent on the trunk harness's in the Camrys, but I have seen more than a few Corolla's as well.

[gameguru1360]

well it turns out that the brake light switch went out so I'm going to have it replaced. I think that might be the problem accounting for the blowing of the 3rd brake light fuse since the tail lights do come on, but the brake lights don't and the power to those lights are overpowering the 3rd brake light.