Need help with brake lights
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 877
Likes: 59
From: Minneapolis, MN USA
Need help with brake lights
Hi all,
I need some help fixing my brake lights. I learned late last season they weren't working. Don't feel safe driving without them working! My car is a 1970...350hp/350.
At first I thought it was bulbs...I've changed them. The tail-lights work. When I turn the lights on, the tail-lights come on. When I turn the turn signals on...the tail-lights get brighter during their "blink" time. But, if I step on the brakes, the tail-lights don't turn on (if the lights weren't on), nor get brighter (if the the lights were on).
Can someone help me find the issue? I need lots of details as I'm definitely not as smart as all of you! I can change the oil...and probably the air filter...
I need some help fixing my brake lights. I learned late last season they weren't working. Don't feel safe driving without them working! My car is a 1970...350hp/350.
At first I thought it was bulbs...I've changed them. The tail-lights work. When I turn the lights on, the tail-lights come on. When I turn the turn signals on...the tail-lights get brighter during their "blink" time. But, if I step on the brakes, the tail-lights don't turn on (if the lights weren't on), nor get brighter (if the the lights were on).
Can someone help me find the issue? I need lots of details as I'm definitely not as smart as all of you! I can change the oil...and probably the air filter...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 877
Likes: 59
From: Minneapolis, MN USA
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,864
From: Palm Springs, CA.
The switch is attached to the underside of the dash, just above the brake pedal. The arm, that the foot pad is attached to, is the piece that actually touches the switch. Just look up there and you will see it quite easily. It has a two wire connector. It is probably just out of adjustment. It is adjusted simply by pushing it a little deeper into its serrated holder. If you want to test it, just remove the plug and put a jumper wire into the end of the connector. Brake lights should come on instantly. Adjust it to a position where just a slight pressure from your foot will actuate the lights. If the switch is bad, no problem, they are readily available at any parts supplier and very affordable.
Good luck,
Greg
Good luck,
Greg
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,639
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Cruising
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Rockville MD
Same brake light problem on my 81.
I have the same problem on my 81 vette. The rear lights all work except for the brake light illumination. I replaced the bulbs and the lights work when I have the running lights on but I get nothing when I depress the brake pedal.
Can anyone tell me if this solution can work on mine or is there something else I should look for.
Am I right by ruling out a possible fuse issue if the all the rear end lights work except the brake illumination?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Can anyone tell me if this solution can work on mine or is there something else I should look for.
Am I right by ruling out a possible fuse issue if the all the rear end lights work except the brake illumination?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 336
Likes: 10
I had constant [roblems with my BL switch....I cleaned the contacts, etc, etc, but it would quit after a month or so. A few weeks ago, I ditched it and installed a 10 amp @ 28 VDC mini mirco switch from Cherry. The switch I got is designed for harsh environments on industrial and off road equipment, and is sealed and has a silicone seal around the actuaction pin. I had to whack off the right angle piece coming off the bracket and drill two tiny holes to mount. Well worth the effort and I bet I can cross brake light problems off my list for a long long time. PS....I do not use cruise, that crap was already gone.
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: dallas ga
just for grins,take a jumper wire(go to radio shack and get a pair of alligator clips attach one to each end of an 18 gauge wire about a foot long}clip one to the top of the stud and wing nut that holds the air filter lid on, clip the other to a GOOD ground on the fire wall and see what happens.If it fixes the problem run a hard wire from the engine to the firewall.Alot of vehicles,especially when an engine is replaced and the remover/ installer doesn't put the wire back on (oh those parts left over after an install)/