No rear lights
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
No rear lights
Hello!
The brake lights, hazards and turn signals do not work in the rear of the car. I have replaced the fuse and the brake switch and they still aren’t coming on. The reverse lights come on and when I turn the headlights on the taillights will work. Any suggestions?
The brake lights, hazards and turn signals do not work in the rear of the car. I have replaced the fuse and the brake switch and they still aren’t coming on. The reverse lights come on and when I turn the headlights on the taillights will work. Any suggestions?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 1,170
From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Next,,,, check ALL grounding locations. Also, be positive the bulbs are all good. This may sound silly but this solves half of electrical issues…..
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,177
Likes: 7,780
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
If the tail and back up lights are working. Makes one think it's not a ground. Turn signal , hazards and brake lights share one thing in common. They all come through the turn signal switch. I would be checking with a test light at the harmonica connector on the lower steering column first. Do you have power on the brake light wire from switch, to column when brake is depressed? If yes, fuse and switch are good. If no,....
if yes, do you have power on the green and yellow wires at the harmonica connector with brake pedal depressed? If no, your issue is inside the column, turn signal switch. If yes, follow those 2 wires to the back of the car and find the break.
if yes, do you have power on the green and yellow wires at the harmonica connector with brake pedal depressed? If no, your issue is inside the column, turn signal switch. If yes, follow those 2 wires to the back of the car and find the break.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,177
Likes: 7,780
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Oh and by the way, I could possibly give you more detailed information, like what color that brake light switch wire is, etc.
If I had a bloody clue what year your car is!
I even looked in your profile, it's not filled out.
Wiring changed a LOT from 1968 - 1982!
If I had a bloody clue what year your car is!
I even looked in your profile, it's not filled out.
Wiring changed a LOT from 1968 - 1982!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,177
Likes: 7,780
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
One more question, Why did you replace the brake light switch? How did you test it?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
I checked for continuity on the brake light switch. I had continuity when the plunger was not depressed and then when you push it in it loses all continuity. I also updated my profile, it is a 1975 Corvette if that helps at all! Thank you
Instructor
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 216
Likes: 107
From: Lake of the Ozarks MO
Hi JeepsandCorvette,
Good afternoon. Just another day in Paradise. I went to a car show Saturday and had a similar experience on the way home. I checked out all of the grounds and bulbs and sockets in the rear of my '72 and they looked good. I then removed the drivers door sill and kick panel. Just out of the fuse block there is a 7 or 8 pin connector. I took it apart and cleaned all of the connections and it looked like the yellow wire connectors had retreated back in the connector plastic. I pulled both yellow connectors back to the correct place. Then I removed all of the tape on the part going towards the kick panel and to where it starts under the door sill. I found a red wire that the covering was worn off and it was down to threads of wire. I cut and spliced the red wire and taped it all back together and pushed the multipin connector back together making sure the yellow wire pins were completly insterted.
Well, I now have turn signals, lights and brake lights and back up lights.
Pain in the rear but age had taken it's toll.
Might want to take a look at the connector?
Have a great day,
Fred
Good afternoon. Just another day in Paradise. I went to a car show Saturday and had a similar experience on the way home. I checked out all of the grounds and bulbs and sockets in the rear of my '72 and they looked good. I then removed the drivers door sill and kick panel. Just out of the fuse block there is a 7 or 8 pin connector. I took it apart and cleaned all of the connections and it looked like the yellow wire connectors had retreated back in the connector plastic. I pulled both yellow connectors back to the correct place. Then I removed all of the tape on the part going towards the kick panel and to where it starts under the door sill. I found a red wire that the covering was worn off and it was down to threads of wire. I cut and spliced the red wire and taped it all back together and pushed the multipin connector back together making sure the yellow wire pins were completly insterted.
Well, I now have turn signals, lights and brake lights and back up lights.
Pain in the rear but age had taken it's toll.
Might want to take a look at the connector?
Have a great day,
Fred
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,701
Likes: 1,892
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
It was ( believe it on not ) the TURN SIGNAL SWITCH in my car ...................
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,177
Likes: 7,780
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Simple test light. Power at the brake switch? Yes. Power out of the brake switch? Yes. Power at the harmonica connector ? Yes. Power coming out of harmonica connector? Etc.