Yet Another Brake Light Problem - '72
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Yet Another Brake Light Problem - '72
I know there have been several threads recently regarding brake light wiring problems but each of us seems to have a unique combination of works/doesn't work so maybe eventually we'll solve all of the brake light issues.
On my 72 the passenger side brake light doesn't work. Tail light and directionals are OK. Everything works on the driver's side. I checked the socket on the pass. side with a test light and there is no power to the green wire when the brake is depressed.
Is the wire for the pass. side brake light just run over from the driver's side light or does the wire run all the way back to the dash area?
I read in another thread that there is a place in the harness near the back lights where a bunch of wires are just soldered together and I'm hoping that is where the problem is. I'd like to know for sure though before I go hacking into the harness.
The other possible problem/question is
Are the brake lights supposed to work when the ignition is off? I think every other car I have ever owned has brake lights that work whenever you step on the brake, key on or not. The brake lights on the 72 don't work unless the ignition is on.
Thanks.
Rick B.
On my 72 the passenger side brake light doesn't work. Tail light and directionals are OK. Everything works on the driver's side. I checked the socket on the pass. side with a test light and there is no power to the green wire when the brake is depressed.
Is the wire for the pass. side brake light just run over from the driver's side light or does the wire run all the way back to the dash area?
I read in another thread that there is a place in the harness near the back lights where a bunch of wires are just soldered together and I'm hoping that is where the problem is. I'd like to know for sure though before I go hacking into the harness.
The other possible problem/question is
Are the brake lights supposed to work when the ignition is off? I think every other car I have ever owned has brake lights that work whenever you step on the brake, key on or not. The brake lights on the 72 don't work unless the ignition is on.
Thanks.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Originally Posted by noonie
Also do the hazards all flash?
I should mention that I recently replaced the column with a tilt/tele. I'm not sure if the brake lights had problems before, but the car had been off the road for 10 years so I'm not suprised at some electrical problems.
I matched all the wires up in the new column and moved the headlight dimmer connector from the floor to the column. So far the only problem has been the right brake light. I'll probably remove all the fuses and clean all the connections this weekend to help the electrical situation.
Rick B.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
If all the turn signals work, and
all the hazards work,
and only the pass brake does not work, then
it is has to be the turn signal switch.
The same wire powers each side turn signal and brake lite.
Since you have a pass side turn signal, then the wiring to the front is good for the pass side turn/brake (heavy filement in bulb).
Take the turn signal switch loose and you may be able to clean the contacts either with emery cloth or elec contact spray cleaner. Be careful, it's delicate.
The grounds are all joined together in the rear.
all the hazards work,
and only the pass brake does not work, then
it is has to be the turn signal switch.
The same wire powers each side turn signal and brake lite.
Since you have a pass side turn signal, then the wiring to the front is good for the pass side turn/brake (heavy filement in bulb).
Take the turn signal switch loose and you may be able to clean the contacts either with emery cloth or elec contact spray cleaner. Be careful, it's delicate.
The grounds are all joined together in the rear.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Originally Posted by noonie
If all the turn signals work, and
all the hazards work,
and only the pass brake does not work, then
it is has to be the turn signal switch.
The same wire powers each side turn signal and brake lite.
Since you have a pass side turn signal, then the wiring to the front is good for the pass side turn/brake (heavy filement in bulb).
Take the turn signal switch loose and you may be able to clean the contacts either with emery cloth or elec contact spray cleaner. Be careful, it's delicate.
The grounds are all joined together in the rear.
all the hazards work,
and only the pass brake does not work, then
it is has to be the turn signal switch.
The same wire powers each side turn signal and brake lite.
Since you have a pass side turn signal, then the wiring to the front is good for the pass side turn/brake (heavy filement in bulb).
Take the turn signal switch loose and you may be able to clean the contacts either with emery cloth or elec contact spray cleaner. Be careful, it's delicate.
The grounds are all joined together in the rear.
Anyone have a good source for wiring diagrams for a 72? I don't have an A.I.M. for the 72 yet but the 79 A.I.M. doesn't have wiring diagrams.
Rick B.
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