Brake lights and hazard lights are necessary for safety when driving a car so people can tell when you are slowing down, stopped or your car is inoperable. This is especially important at night, when most cars are difficult to see. There are a number of different solutions for fixing brake lights or hazard lights which are not working properly.
Often the bulbs for brake lights or hazard lights are simply not working, have burnt out or are the wrong lights. Most automotive stores sell replacement bulbs for car or truck tail and hazard lights so these can be replaced. These lights tend to burn out regularly as they are constantly turning on and off when someone stops and goes in their car, working during the day and during the night. Sometimes the wrong bulb is installed, causing these lights to not work. If these bulbs are replaced with the proper bulbs for the car and it still isn't working, there may be bigger issues.
Brake lights and hazard lights not working could be the result of a failing electrical system or one that is in need of repair. This should usually be checked if the bulbs do not work after replacing them. Sometimes wiring is frayed due to wear and tear, an electrical short which occurred in the car itself or some damage caused by an accident or past repair. Car specialists will usually have to check the vehicle's electrical system to make sure the power to those lights is working properly.
The brake light switch is below the brake pedal on cars and triggers the brake lights to be turned on when the brake is pressed. This switch is sometimes faulty, jammed or broken due to rough use or just wear and tear. Check to see if it is damaged, jammed or not responding if you know how, though most people will have to take the vehicle to a service facility to have this checked. Sometimes a scan of the computer system of the car can fix this brake light switch problem.
Malfunctioning hazard and brake lights could also be simply due to a bad fuse which shorted or burned out in the car's fuse box. These fuses are located in different sections of automobiles depending on the model of car; see owner's manual for location. They may also be relatively expensive depending on the model of car, as exotic cars often use specific fuses which may be more costly to replace.
