Why do the two brake lights not work but the high-mounted one does?
2 Answers
Two brake lights not working while the high-mounted one is illuminated is a common issue. You can remove one of the non-working bulbs and use a multimeter to measure the two poles. If the bulb is burnt out, replace it. If the bulb is functioning normally, the issue might be with the wiring on both sides. Below is relevant information about two brake lights not working while the high-mounted one is illuminated: 1. Types of brake lights: There are two types of brake lights. One is installed at both ends of the rear of the car and is a type of tail light. The other is the high-mounted brake light, installed on the upper part of the rear of the car. 2. High-mounted brake light: If you observe carefully, you can notice that some newer cars have a square or rectangular red brake light positioned higher in the middle of the rear. This type of light is technically called a high-mounted brake light, generally positioned higher than the brake lights on both sides of the car's rear. The purpose of the high-mounted brake light is to warn vehicles behind, thereby helping to avoid rear-end collisions.
I've encountered similar issues before, and this is actually quite common. When the two brake lights don't work but the high-mounted brake light still functions, it indicates the problem isn't with the master control or switch, but rather minor issues with those two lights themselves. The most frequent cause is a blown fuse – just like a tripped circuit breaker at home, the brake light circuit may have melted due to voltage fluctuations or minor short circuits. Another possibility is both bulbs burning out simultaneously, which might sound rare but can indeed happen when bulbs age or get damp. The high-mounted light working confirms the brake signal transmission is normal, so there's no need to worry about the overall circuit. For safety, I recommend first checking the fuse box, usually located under the dashboard on the driver's side or in the engine compartment, and try replacing it with a fuse of the same specification. If that doesn't work, inspect the bulbs or check for loose socket connectors. Don't delay – driving at night without brake lights makes you invisible to following vehicles and increases rear-end collision risks. Get it professionally repaired immediately. This is basic knowledge to prevent minor issues from escalating.
