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Need Brake Light Help

gtscode

gtscode

Active Member
So my brake lights aren't working! I am pretty sure that it's the connection at the turn signal switch but all the plugs and pins look good and the wires look good.

So where do I start diagnosing?

I know that the turn signals work, the hazards work the taillights come on when the headlights come on.

I am lost and if I don't get these working then Knotts just isn't happening.

Thanks Guys!!!
 
Yep, check the brake light switch first. If it works, trace back looking for the lack of power following the wires. On the '66, I found the wires like to seperate from the turn signal plug. Make sure they are actually there and not pulled away.
 
Justin,
Since we found the problem last week to be the connector at the steering column haven't you been able to wiggle or pull and push it to re-activate the lights? If so, I'd look no further. If this is infact the problem, locate the problem wire pin ( I forgot the color) and maybe you can wire brush the male portion or distort it some way to make it have a firmer contact with the female connector. I know....easier said than done.

Then again maybe there is a break in the wire at the connector. If so.....argh!!

What time do you get home today?
 
I could not replicate the wire "wiggle" and get them to work. I pulled the plug apart everything seemed reasonable.

Which wire in the harness am I looking for? Is it the green wire? Which is supplying power?

Also on my turn signal connector I have

Red, Orange/Blue, White/Blue, Green/White, Blue/White
Green/Orange, White/Red, Yellow, Green, Blue

The red wire doesn't connect to anything as the female plug has no connector. What is that Red wire from the Turns Signal for?

Any how I have a wiring diagram but I still can't tell where to start tracing power from. I am thinking green so should I start there?

Thanks!
 
It is solid green on the 66......

67......Green/red stripe provides power from light switch to brake light switch....green takes signal to turn signal switch.
 
FWIW
orange/blue is stop/turn signal right.
green/orange is stop/turn signal left.( both can be found in a 10 pin connector under dash )
IIRC there is a 10 pin connector beneath the dash where the rear taillight harness is attached to.
Unplug that connector and take an extern power lead ( from + batt with a fuse ) and tip it to one of those wires from the rear harness.
Stop/turn should light on.Is this NOT the case , your problem is in the rear harness
Does it light up , your problem is likely the turn signal switch or the power lead to it.
Be sure the rear lights are grounded correctly.( if you did work on the rear lights. )

I hope you can make it to the MITM. :wor
 
look at a 2pin connector , it seems that one of these pins provibes the brake switch with power. Where is MEL !!
 
"AzPete" said:
67......Green/red stripe provides power from light switch to brake light switch....green takes signal to turn signal switch.
Click to expand...

Thanks Pete. So what signal goes to the brake light itself?

I'll be digging in tomorrow!!
 
Got it!!! It was the ridiculously expensive repro underdash harness connector to the head light switch. The connectors pushed out the back of the plastic housing and were just touching therefore giving me the intermittent problem.

Had to remove the gauge cluster to see the problem, hope it's permanent. Should have sent my original harness to mid-life!

Thanks everyone, while I had the gauge cluster out I took it apart and installed the speedo-trip-reset button and cleaned up a couple of things.

Now to bust ass Saturday night and Sunday to finish everything and go for a long Sunday drive.
 
"gtscode" said:
Now to bust ass Saturday night and Sunday to finish everything and go for a long Sunday drive.
Click to expand...

You and I both. Although I won't be able to drive mine til Monday night at the earliest. Gotta get the driveshaft (maybe) shortened and new U-joints on Monday.

Glad you found the brake light problem.

Frank
 
Good Luck Frank! My problem is if I don't get it ready by Sunday I am out of town Monday - Thursday so I am screwed!!! :hs
 
Justin,
You say the connector pins were coming out the back of the plastic connector? I assume these pins both male and female are attached to the connector via some very small barb like hooks on the outside of each pin. Sometimes these hooks flatten out causing the pins to become loose and dislodge from the connector as what you are describing. What you can do is pry the barbs or hooks outward so when you insert the pins into the connector, they will click into place.

Meanwhile it is suppose to be nice weather tomorrow. Put some major miles on your rigs.
 
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