I got a 2000 Jeep Cherokee and I'm having some issues with the brake lights. They wont turn on when I hit the brake pedal, but if i press the pedal many times and hard the brake lights would start working. Then shortly they will stop working again. Any suggestions?

 

Check the switch for continuity.

 

I checked the brake switch when you press down the pedal. The little button comes out when the pedal is pressed, and seems like it is working like it should.

 

Sounds like a new switch is needed try jumping it see if lights react quicker.

 

But looking for proper function and actually testing are different things...

 

"Seems like."

You've checked mechanical function, but not electrical. One cannot gage electrical resistance by eyeball, it don't work that way.

Get an ohmmeter (checks resistance, digital preferred,) disconnect the harness plug at the switch, connect the ohmmeter leads to the switch. Press the switch by hand, watch the meter. Get anything more than about 2 ohms in total (accounting for wear/contamination/corrosion of the contacts,) and you need to replace the switch. It's cheap enough, and easy to do.

 

+1 on testing the switch... and be sure to check the connector for any corrosion or damage as well

 

Unplugged the switch and blew on the connector to get the dust out. Plugged it back in and it worked again. Thanks for your input!