Michigan State Brakes Certification Practice Exam

What is the least likely cause of brake lights not illuminating when the brake pedal is depressed?

1. A burned out bulb

2. A malfunctioning brake pedal switch

3. Faulty wiring in the brake light circuit

4. A blown fuse

The correct answer is: A burned out bulb

The least likely cause of brake lights not illuminating when the brake pedal is depressed is a burned-out bulb. While it is certainly a possibility that a burned-out bulb could prevent the brake lights from functioning, brake light systems typically use multiple bulbs, especially in vehicles equipped with dual-filament bulbs or multiple brake lights. Therefore, even if one bulb has burned out, it is likely that at least one of the others will still operate. In contrast, a malfunctioning brake pedal switch, faulty wiring in the brake light circuit, or a blown fuse would directly impact the electrical signal or power being delivered to the brake lights, leading to a complete failure of the brake lights to illuminate. Given the functionality of the brake light system, these options pose a more significant threat to brake light operation than a single burned-out bulb, making it the least likely cause in this scenario.