I took the ‘54 out for a drive this evening. As I was backing it back into the garage, I noticed that the brake lights were not working.

So I laid on my back and took a look at the fuses under the dash. All four that I found appear to be good. I fidgeted with the wires and the fuses, trying to see if anything would make the lights come on when I press the pedal. One time, they did for just a second or two. So I fidgeted again, and nothing. Then I pulled the two wires off of the brake light switch, pulled the end cover back on one, touched them, and once again the lights lit up for a second or two. Tried it again and nothing.






The three or so miles between my place and the highway is paved, but pretty rough. I’m wondering if there’s just something loose somewhere, which might explain the lights intermittently working.

On the attached pics, I have labeled the four fuses I found. The only one I didn’t physically take out was the one labeled #3. It appears to be a fuse in the actual headlight switch assembly. It looks like one of the brake light wires gets power from this fuse on the headlight switch. Is that correct for a ‘54? I have not attempted to pull that fuse out, for fear of braking something on the switch. Is there any reason to take the whole switch out? Maybe just a case of corroded contacts on that wire connection from the brake light switch? FYI, the headlights and taillights work, it’s just the brake lights that are being intermittent.

Any suggestions?

 

Mike, if you would like to call me I might be able to help you out.,I have a 54 and had some of these issues.,,,Bob 401 480 5783

 

The brake lights have no fuses
There is no "fuse box" - only a panel with 3 inline fuses
Heater
Radio
E brake flasher
There is an orange wire and a white wire to the brake light switch at the pedal
Check for power there
you can disconnect and connect the two - should have brake lights
If not - could have a bad brake light switch or head light switch

 

If you disconnect the two wires and connect them and don't have brake lights, the brake light switch is bypassed and is not the problem unless you have two problems. If you read his post he already did that. They didn't work.
I am not familiar with the early C1 turn signal circuitry, but on later C1 and C2 cars, the brake light voltage goes through the turn signal switch. Try stepping on the braking and wiggling the turn signal switch lever and see if the brakes lights once again flicker with the movement. That fuse you didn't pull could be temporarily jumped to see if it's open. Also you might try tapping on it since the lights flicker at times to see if the fuse blade inside or the clips that hold it are loose or corroded.

 

Correct
The turn signal switch is probably the issue
If you center the steering wheel - all the brake and turn signals will function correctly
If the wheel is slightly off, I have seen where the signals and or brake lights will not function
Additionally the repro switches are of less than stellar quality.
I have had issues with brand new ones

 

So this really was a fuse on the actual headlight switch. I’ve never seen a headlight switch with a fuse mounted on it before. I replaced the fuse and the brake lights work again.

 

That's great you have it working.

 

thanks. I’m still stumped by that headlight switch. Never seen one with a fuse link mounted to it.

 

Nice that your brake lights are working. Good detective work.
Some have a very small fuse mounted for dash light protection on the top rear of the headlight switch that is hard to find with the switch in place. But, that was for dash light current protection. To me, the unusual part is that the fuse feeds the brake lights.

 

i have not either, orginals did not....odd