My 2005 es330 brake lights stopped working and taillight warning light came in at dash. All taillights work, only brake lights have stopped working.
Here is what I have done this far:
- replaced fuse
- replaced all 3 brake lamp bulbs
- replaced brake lamp switch
- replaced failure sensor module
I think that’s it’s.
what am I missing?

 

Check the wires next to the trunk hinge where they bend. The lamp failure warning box (same area) sometimes goes bad.

 

The wiring that follows the bent arm hinge that goes up to the truck lid? What am I looking for there?

 

Peel back the tape and look for broken wires, or the wires might still be one piece but the copper strands are broken. Yes the wires that follow the hinge.

 

I peeled I tested those and they are getting power to them.

 

Test for power at the sockets.

 

Yes there is power at the sockets

Someone mentioned that I may have put in a faulty brake lamp switch. However, the gearshift doesn’t lock (like it dis before replacement) and the cruise control works. Could the brake lamp switch be faulty if both of those issues were solved with the new switch?

 

You have power and ground at the brake light bulb sockets when the brake pedal is pressed? If so your bulbs should work.

 

I haven’t tried it with the brake pedal pressed. But I do have power at the sockets without the brake pedal pressed
I will try it with the pedal pressed when I get home

 

Yes the brake pedal has to be pressed. Your switch must be working or you wouldn't be able to shift out of park. Here's the brake aka stop light circuit.

see attached

 

License plate bulb(s)?

Edit: Oh. I gather the actual brake lights remain out with the new bulbs - not just the warning lamp issue. Never mind…

 

this may sound stupid but should the wires be getting power even when the brake pedal is not being pressed?

 

No power unless the brake pedal is pressed. Power goes from the 15amp STOP fuse, through the brake light switch, through the lamp failure box, then to the bulbs. Failure points are in bold you've ruled out the switch and fuse that leaves broken wires, bad ground etc.

 

okay. I really appreciate your help.
just to clarify: the bulbs would still get power when the brake pedal is/isn’t being pressed even if there are broken wires and bad ground?
I will start digging for broken wires/bad ground.

 

Just fixed mine yesterday. BTW, if you count the led strip, there are 5 brake light bulbs. 2 in the fenders, and 2 in the trunk lid, plus the strip. Getting to the ones in the trunk lid were a little difficult. I popped out the plastic push pins at the bottom of the lining, and pulled the lining back enough to get my hands in there and twist the bulbs CW until they came out. I just replace all my rear lamps while I was there and now I'm good for 10 more years. cost about $50 at Oriellys.