Brake Lamp: Description and Operation

The brake (or stop) lamps each have a path to ground at all times through a takeout and eyelet terminal of the headlamp and dash wire harness that is secured by a ground screw to the left inner fender support within the engine compartment. The Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) has a path to ground at all times through a takeout and eyelet terminal of the instrument panel wire harness that is secured by a ground screw to the back of the support structure of the instrument panel near the center. The brake lamps and CHMSL receive battery voltage on the brake lamp switch feed circuit when the brake lamp switch is closed by the brake pedal arm. The CHMSL and brake lamps are connected to a hard wired output from the brake lamp switch. The brake lamp function of the trailer tow wiring is controlled by an output from the TIPM based upon a hard wired input from the brake lamp switch.