Brake Light problem on 76
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 81
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From: Annandale Virginia
Brake Light problem on 76
The driver side brake light goes out on my 76 when I hit the brakes and the headlights are on. It works if the headlights are off, but does not seem as bright as the passenger side.
I've replaced the bulb and that did not help. Another symptom that might be part of my problem is that the turn signal indicator does not light up for a left turn on the dash, the turn signals do works front and rear.
Anyone else ever have this problem. Am I headed toward replacing the switch in the steering column?
I've replaced the bulb and that did not help. Another symptom that might be part of my problem is that the turn signal indicator does not light up for a left turn on the dash, the turn signals do works front and rear.
Anyone else ever have this problem. Am I headed toward replacing the switch in the steering column?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
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From: Columbia Missouri
It's more likely a bad ground or a bad socket.
Get under the car and check out the harness ground...make sure it's solid and clean. Then, run a set of jumper wires from the battery, both 12V and ground. Then, use a multimeter to test the terminals using the ground from the battery and test the ground terminal in the socket using the 12V from the battery. Testing this way will indicate a bad terminal in the socket.
Does the same problem exist when you turn on the hazards?
Get under the car and check out the harness ground...make sure it's solid and clean. Then, run a set of jumper wires from the battery, both 12V and ground. Then, use a multimeter to test the terminals using the ground from the battery and test the ground terminal in the socket using the 12V from the battery. Testing this way will indicate a bad terminal in the socket.
Does the same problem exist when you turn on the hazards?
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 81
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From: Annandale Virginia
Thanks for the response Durango Boy. I'll check on the hazards tonight after work. Didn't try that one. The ground looks clean, I have a multi-meter, but I might need some additional guidance on how to perform the test. This particular socket looks like it's been replaced at some point and spliced in. Maybe on issue with one of the connections in the splice? Wouldn't that be nice.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,164
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From: Kannapolis NC
Definitely sounds like a ground issue. Either the socket ground isn't making good contact with the bulb base, or the ground in the socket isn't connected well to the chassis ground. Mine had a connection inside the socket that you can't see that connects the ground wire to base of the bulb connection that was corroded inside the socket. Ground the base of the bulb and I bet it will work.
65GGvert you were on the money! Thanks. It was the ground into the bulb socket.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,164
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From: Kannapolis NC
