Hi guys,

I hope someone can give me a clue here,

My 1980 Corvette started doing something funky recently.....when I press the brake pedal, the front markers and signals also turn on. I started noticing one day the car was parked and off, and i pressed the brake pedal and I got the warning beep...

thanks!!

 

Did you check the flasher near fuse box? While you are at it check the condition of all wiring near the fuse box for shorting, smell etc. A visual check first for wires not touching each other bare spots under and near the brake pedal. Also call a Corvette shop near by they might have had the same problem like yours Good Luck!

 

That is a weird one.

Considering the wiring for the front and rear circuits involved are in completely separate wiring harnesses and that only the brake light circuit has constant access to power there aren't too many places this problem could occur.

I suspect that the problem is in the turn signal/flasher switch in the column as barring a short between wires this is the only place that the circuits meet in the same location.

Do you have a voltmeter or test light and can you access the so-called "harmonica connector" attached to the steering column near the base? If so, let me know and I'll give you instruction to verify if the problem is with the switch or the integrated wiring leading from it.

Unless you're a very limber near dwarf you must remove the driver seat as you'll be working in a very tight spot. You'll be checking on the side of the connector that leads down from the switch so there's not much slack to relocate the connector into a more convenient position. If you're large or not too limber consider finding a wiry teenager who can follow simple instructions.

Trust me. Despite the fact that the turn signal/hazard switch isn't the easiest thing to replace you WANT the problem to be in it! If not it is VERY likely that you will have to remove the console, dash, cluster, etc. etc. to get access to the area of the main cabin wiring harness where the problem is nearly certain to lie. For that matter you'll likely have to completely remove the entire main cabin harness (including the fuse box) to locate and repair any short

 

Make sure the emergency flashers are off. Saw this happen on one, flashers didn't work, but the switch was on. Caused some weird stuff.

 

Hi SwampeastMike,

thank you, yes, i do have a voltmeter and can get a test light. would you be able to help me with the instructions? thank you so much

 

Make sure the hazard lamps are turned off (switch pulled out)

Next find the "harmonica" connector. It gets is name from the shape--long and thin. It's clipped to the outboard side of the steering column near the base. Remove from the clips. I don't believe you have to remove panels or ductwork to do this but as mentioned before you'll find it a LOT easier if you remove the driver seat. Four bolts (two front and rear) via "legs" coming from the seat bottom. You need lots of extension to get to the rear bolts.

You'll start the testing with the male and female connectors together.

Find a ground source for the negative probe on your meter and connect to the negative lead.

Probe into the connector at the heavy 14 gauge white wire. You should get 0 volts.

Press the brake light switch and probe at the same spot. You should get full battery voltage.

Again, with the brake switch pressed, probe the 20 gauge yellow and 20 gauge dark green wires. Again you should get full battery voltage.

With brake light switch pressed probe the 20 gauge light blue and 20 gauge dark blue wires. You should get zero volts. If you you get any voltage at all disconnect the connector. On the side of the connector leading up into the column check for continuity between yellow-light blue, yellow-dark blue, dark green-light blue and dark green-dark blue. If you get anything more than 0 ohms the switch and or integrated wiring leading from it is defective and must be replaced.

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I suspect you'll find the fault in that last step finding both voltage (when connected and brake light switch pressed) and continuity between one, some or all of those wire pairs.

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If no problems found yet check those same wire pairs on the harness side of the connector. Any continuity there almost certainly means there's a short between those wires somewhere in the main cabin harness after the connector which will most likely involve removing and unwrapping the harness + fuse box to find and repair.

 

thank you so much,

I had to put the Vette away for winter(Canada!) so with the hope it fixes itself over winter LOL (i have seen it happen!), i am saving our conversation to tackle it in the Spring!! thank you very much. maybe next April I will have feedback. thank you for taking the time to help me, I will let you know how it goes!!!!