Brake Lights Fixed but Why???
06-19-2017, 11:30 AM
#1
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Brake Lights Fixed but Why???
I have had a recurring problem with my brake lights repeatedly failing…the fuse blows. After studying the wiring diagram, the brake lights are powered as thus:
Fuse panel > through flasher relay fuse contact > stoplight switch > to brake lights.
A while back I had replaced the flasher relay with a new replacement flasher from one of the Corvette suppliers. After checking the rear lighting harness for a short, I decided to reinstall the old flasher unit before starting the tedious process of checking the forward harnesses…brake lights now work, fuse does not blow!
Glad the fix was simple but not sure why replacing the flasher back to the original made the difference?
Regards,
Tom
Fuse panel > through flasher relay fuse contact > stoplight switch > to brake lights.
A while back I had replaced the flasher relay with a new replacement flasher from one of the Corvette suppliers. After checking the rear lighting harness for a short, I decided to reinstall the old flasher unit before starting the tedious process of checking the forward harnesses…brake lights now work, fuse does not blow!
Glad the fix was simple but not sure why replacing the flasher back to the original made the difference?
Regards,
Tom
Last edited by Tom69; 06-19-2017 at 02:14 PM.
06-19-2017, 01:09 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
I bought one of those flashers from a vendor. Didn't work. I saw that there was a polarity reverser base available for about a dollar. I tested that this was the problem with test leads, then bought one from Summit. Works!
I had assumed, wrongly, that the Corvette vendor would have known this.
Can you try the LED flasher with the leads reversed.
I had assumed, wrongly, that the Corvette vendor would have known this.
Can you try the LED flasher with the leads reversed.
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Tom69 (06-19-2017)
06-19-2017, 02:13 PM
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I bought one of those flashers from a vendor. Didn't work. I saw that there was a polarity reverser base available for about a dollar. I tested that this was the problem with test leads, then bought one from Summit. Works!
I had assumed, wrongly, that the Corvette vendor would have known this.
Can you try the LED flasher with the leads reversed.
I had assumed, wrongly, that the Corvette vendor would have known this.
Can you try the LED flasher with the leads reversed.
06-19-2017, 09:03 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
I'd do the experiment if you can, just for completeness. My '79 may be completely different than your '69. With the polarity reversing adaptor installed, and a solid ground on the included ground wire, the new LED relay works great, and I can run LEDs in the corners. With the stock flasher, they would hyperflash.
But if it works for you, it works!
To their credit, Zip (and possibly others, but not the vendor I chose the first time) include the reversing adaptor with the relay. Summit does, too, it's a United Pacific 90652.
But if it works for you, it works!
To their credit, Zip (and possibly others, but not the vendor I chose the first time) include the reversing adaptor with the relay. Summit does, too, it's a United Pacific 90652.
Last edited by Bikespace; 06-19-2017 at 09:05 PM. Reason: Added detail.
06-20-2017, 12:45 AM
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I'd do the experiment if you can, just for completeness. My '79 may be completely different than your '69. With the polarity reversing adaptor installed, and a solid ground on the included ground wire, the new LED relay works great, and I can run LEDs in the corners. With the stock flasher, they would hyperflash.
But if it works for you, it works!
To their credit, Zip (and possibly others, but not the vendor I chose the first time) include the reversing adaptor with the relay. Summit does, too, it's a United Pacific 90652.
But if it works for you, it works!
To their credit, Zip (and possibly others, but not the vendor I chose the first time) include the reversing adaptor with the relay. Summit does, too, it's a United Pacific 90652.