It's good to see what the final fix was.
77 tail light issues
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: somewhere between heaven and hell WI
77 tail light issues
We noticed the brake lights were not working on my dads 77 vette.
I went through it and it looked like the brake light switch was out. I replaced the brake light switch and now the brake lights are working. But now the tail lights are not working. The rear side marker, front side marker, and front turn signal lights and front parking lights are working normal.
I replaced the turn signal switch earlier this year. All fuses are good.
What is wrong or where should I look.
Also, I have a question about the brake light switch. The front 2 wires are for the brake lights themselves (the double orange and white wires). But also on the switch there are 2 more wires on the back of the switch. What are they for? Those 2 wires are not original. One comes from the fuse box with an inline fuse, to the switch and the other goes to a relay that I this is the horn relay but not sure.
I went through it and it looked like the brake light switch was out. I replaced the brake light switch and now the brake lights are working. But now the tail lights are not working. The rear side marker, front side marker, and front turn signal lights and front parking lights are working normal.
I replaced the turn signal switch earlier this year. All fuses are good.
What is wrong or where should I look.
Also, I have a question about the brake light switch. The front 2 wires are for the brake lights themselves (the double orange and white wires). But also on the switch there are 2 more wires on the back of the switch. What are they for? Those 2 wires are not original. One comes from the fuse box with an inline fuse, to the switch and the other goes to a relay that I this is the horn relay but not sure.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
On the switch 2 wires are the brake lites and two are the cruise control.
The brake lite wires and tail lite wires are different, check for loose connection at the column connector and pillar connector. Check the brown wire out of the signal switch all the way to the back.
The brake lite wires and tail lite wires are different, check for loose connection at the column connector and pillar connector. Check the brown wire out of the signal switch all the way to the back.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: somewhere between heaven and hell WI
Thanks for the wiring diagram. I do have that one but it's nice that you posted it. I have the shop manual (but don't have it with me), the electrical troubleshooting guide and the wiring diagrams for the car.
Now I am thinking, I also believe the headlight switch is bad too. The headlights will not come up unless you pull the override switch. The headlight switch also doesn't click into each position when pulled. We are going to put in a new switch soon. Could that be the issue with the tailights?
Now I am thinking, I also believe the headlight switch is bad too. The headlights will not come up unless you pull the override switch. The headlight switch also doesn't click into each position when pulled. We are going to put in a new switch soon. Could that be the issue with the tailights?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: somewhere between heaven and hell WI
Figured out the problem. Just wanted to update in case anyone has the same issue or does in the future.
It turns out the ground wire that attaches to the side of one of the tail light sock was bad. It was still hooked up, but when I removed the tail light, if I jiggled the wire it would make the lights flash on and off. The wire was good, but where it connects inside the connector was broke.
I replaced the socket and it is working fine now.
It turns out the ground wire that attaches to the side of one of the tail light sock was bad. It was still hooked up, but when I removed the tail light, if I jiggled the wire it would make the lights flash on and off. The wire was good, but where it connects inside the connector was broke.
I replaced the socket and it is working fine now.
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