Tom Austin

Yesterday I installed new tail lamp assemblies on my 66. On the driver's side I also installed a new 2 wire pigtail (bubba was there at some point). All of the lights work (parking, turn signals) - except the brake light on the driver's side (pass side works). The bulbs are brand new (yes, I switched bulbs from pass. side to driver's to make sure it's not the bulb). Where do I start to trouble shoot???

Thanks.

Tom

Frankie the Fink

Back up to a reflective surface and push the brake while jiggling the turn signal lever. The same problem turned out to be a bad turn signal switch in my '61 right after installing LED taillight assemblies -- easily fixed with a new piece.

Chicago Pete

I had the same issue a couple weeks ago and it was a bad ground.
PITA, had to remove the rear valance to gain access.

JoeCool66

had same issue.. corrosion had made the ground connection useless and it broke off when I tried to remove... had to get creative until I decide to replace all four taillights someday.

dgsmith

Has to be a ground. Old vettes and grounds.

Tom Austin

Guys,

Thanks for the quick responses. I took another look - the ground wires on the back side of the tail light assemblies look real good. I don't see how it could be a bad ground on that one tail lamp assembly as the parking lights and turn signal work - but no brake light. Help!!!

Tom

buns

Like fdreano said, it's probably your turn signal switch. The switch deactivates the brake light so that the bulb can flash.

dgsmith

It certainly could be the turn signal problem, but I thought the signal switch cam activated both lights at once, either they are both on or off. Even though the ground wire looks ok, its connection to the grounding surface may be corroded. The connections have to be really good in these cars.

Tom Austin

Doug,

I took care to sand the ground connections before I put the new tail lamp assemblies in - the connector are real clean and held on with new speed nuts. I'm beginning to think it may be the turn signal switch. I just finished up putting the dash back in the car (after a rebuild) and the left turn signal indicator (new bulbs everywhere) doesn't flash. And the turn signals seem to be "slow".

Tom

Frankie the Fink

Well ? What happened ?

Tom Austin

Ordered a new turn signal switch from LI - should be here this afternoon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!!

Tom

Joeym

It's the turn signal switch I had the same problem on the same side.
When you install the new one, it will work! I know from learning the hard way. All my wires were new except that, and it looked good, thats why I didn't replace it, but looks can be deceiving! Good luck!!!

Tom Austin

Guys,

Just finished installing the new turn signal switch . . . . it's fixed!!! The old switch and the wires look good - all I can say is it's a miracle!!! Thanks for all of the help!!!

Have a great 4th!!!

Tom