What are the reasons for the brake lights not working on a Nissan X-Trail?
4 Answers
Brake lights are generally installed at the rear of the vehicle, with the main body color being red to enhance the penetration of the light source. This ensures that vehicles behind can easily detect when the vehicle in front is braking, even in low visibility conditions, thereby helping to prevent rear-end collisions. The reasons for the brake lights not working on a Nissan X-Trail are as follows: 1. Faulty brake light switch. 2. Damaged brake light bulb. 3. Blown fuse. The reasons for the brake lights staying on are as follows: 1. Lack of brake fluid: A lack of brake fluid may also be accompanied by insufficient braking force, and in severe cases, it may even lead to a complete loss of braking power. 2. Damaged brake switch: This is usually due to poor contact between the brake pedal and the brake sensor switch or a damaged brake sensor switch. 3. Worn or aged brake pads: Worn or aged brake pads may also cause the brake lights to stay on. In this case, it is necessary to check the thickness of the brake pads. If the thickness of the brake pads is below the specified value of 0.8cm, there is a high risk of them breaking during driving, which could be dangerous.
My X-Trail previously had an issue where the brake lights wouldn't light up, and it turned out to be burnt contacts in the brake switch. This component is installed behind the brake pedal—when you press the brake, the push rod opens the contacts, and if they're burnt out, it cuts off the power. I took it apart myself and found that the spring plate was slightly deformed, so I replaced the switch with a new one for 50 yuan at the auto parts market. My suggestion is to have someone press the brake while you observe whether the switch indicator lights up. If the switch doesn't respond, it's most likely the problem. Additionally, the wiring harness near the trunk latch is particularly prone to breaking—my car once blew a fuse because of this. If neither side lights up, don't forget to check the 15A brake fuse near the driver's seat. You can test the voltage by grounding it with a screwdriver to diagnose the issue.
As a female driver, I pay special attention to brake safety. Last time when I found the brake lights weren't working, the mechanic diagnosed it as rust on the grounding point. Behind the left trim panel in the trunk, there's a dedicated grounding screw point. The mechanic said this spot on the X-Trail is prone to water ingress, and the screw surface was covered with yellowish-brown rust spots. After he cleaned it thoroughly with sandpaper, the lights worked again, and he didn't charge me a penny. Additionally, the bulb socket can also have poor contact, especially the left brake light near the exhaust pipe, where high temperatures can easily cause plastic parts to deform. If only one side isn't working, remember to remove the light cover and check the metal tabs on the bulb base. When I bought LED bulbs to replace them myself, I found that aftermarket non-OEM sockets simply wouldn't hold firmly.
To diagnose non-functioning brake lights on the Nissan X-Trail, follow these three steps: First, check individual bulbs by removing and directly testing them with a 12V power source. Next, inspect the switch condition—locate the two-wire connector behind the brake pedal; pressing the pedal should produce a click sound and show circuit continuity when tested. Finally, examine the wiring harness for continuity. Pay special attention to the high-mounted brake light, as its wiring passes through the tailgate hinge area where repeated bending may cause internal breaks. If the high-mounted light dimly illuminates or flickers when braking, this typically indicates poor wiring contact. For vehicles over five years old, inspect the wiring harness rubber sleeve on the right side of the trunk for cracks or water ingress. When replacing bulbs, always use the original 27-watt single-contact type.
