I am sure this is an old beaten to death horse of a subject but my brake lights will not turn on when I press the brake pedal. Before you say change the brake light switch read below all that I have done.

The Truck:
2001 Durango SLT 4.7 4x4 third row, AC, PS, PB, 214k original miles on all parts except where I have replaced or rebuilt as this is my project truck. oh and original AM/FM/CD in case you were wondering

In order of events....
1. Alternator (original) was not charging battery even after running vehicle for 30 minutes would not restart.
2. Replaced Alternator with higher AMP unit Duralast
3. Replaced battery with Optima Red unit
4. Truck now starts and purrs like a kitten
5. Now it will not leave Park and shift into RND12
6. Check all fuses both under hood and driver side locations - all good
7. Search boards replace the Brake Switch (it did have the little arrow in the bad position and was original equipment)
8. Still will not get out of park - replace new brake switch with new brake switch number 2.
9. Now it will get out of park properly and goes into each gear and all that.
10. Checking lights I find this....
---A. Head lights work
---B. Brights Work
---C. Fog lights work
---D. Tail lights turn on
---E. Turn signals work both sides with lights on or off
---F. NO BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. With lights on or off
11. Replace all 4 brake light sockets and lights (1 was slightly broken)
12. Search boards find it could be the Light Control Module (giant double relay switch under driver side console - Replaced with new one same results as A - F above.


Firstly I have searched the vehicle and all the boards and still don't know where the brake light fuse is located. Secondly I am at a total loss as to what to check next, unless someone can point me to a fuse I can't find....

I am very comfortable with all tools, I have a test meter, I have a code reader, I just need some knowledge I can't seem to find.

Thanks in advance to you all!
James

 

Here is what resolved this issue for me. In this video please note that you do not need to take apart the console just pull the rubber boot from the shifter as I did. It was the mechanical slide that was gummed up from dirt. A little WD40 squirted carefully around the slide and worked it back and forth with my finger till it slid easily and the problem was fixed!!!!!

 

So the brake lights didn't work (thread title) and you fixed it by allowing the shifter to move?