brake lights

mr .c · Post by **mr .c** » October 23, 2006, 12:59 am

i recently discovered my brake lights are not working. i think i will check the pressure switch first. if i jumper the two wires together i think the lights should go on. then ill check the bulbs and connections. if all check out ok, does that mean it could be in the turn signal switch? what should i look for..

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » October 23, 2006, 12:00 pm

that is a good place to start.might just be some crud on the connectors or loose and cleaning/tightening will fix.

DanSanDiego2000 · Post by **DanSanDiego2000** » October 23, 2006, 1:05 pm

The turn signal switch in my 65 was broken. It was sloppy back and forth, and although the signals worked, the canceling mechanism did not. My brake lights did not work unless the turn signal lever was perfectly centered between left and right positions. So, after a turn, I had to fuss with it to get in centered, and just a dip, bump or vibration could wiggle it down or up out of the 'neutral' spot. Your brake lights will work if the turn signals are in the left turn, right turn, or middle position, but if it is somewhere in a 'gray' area, no brake lights.

Plus, when I inherited my truck after my Dad's passing, the brake lights, dome light, dash lights, heater fan, horn, cigarette lighter socket, radio, etc., were all 'On Strike'. I could not get a beep, whirrrr or flash out of any of them. Instead of wasting hours myself trying to diagnose it all, I took it to an auto electric shop, thinking they could pinpoint it with just an hour or two labor. The problem??? The fuse panel had corrosion on it, they sandblasted the fuse panel in-place, replaced the fuses, and the sound and light show began!! Suddenly, my dark and quiet truck came back to life with a bright domelight, dash light and sounded the horn and radio for the first time in decades. It was like the spirit of my Dad was surrounding me with sound and lights.... I drive the truck for work daily; kind of a rolling tribute to Dad.

Do some snooping.... I would not be surprised to see that you have 1 or more of the same problems with your Slick. Keep us posted!

Good luck.

Dan

mr .c · Post by **mr .c** » October 23, 2006, 6:03 pm

well, thanks for the replies, i jumped the two wires together and the lights work. i brushed of the terminals on the switch and the lights work when you step on the pedal fairly hard. they don't come on right away, you have to push down pretty good. now i did recently do a brake job, new front cylinders and shoes all around. i bleed the brakes. and did the adjustments. my brake pedal moves about an inch and you are at a dead stop. if i was to push them till the lights came on they would lock up, i wounder if i should replace the switch just the same?

mikecarson · Post by **mikecarson** » October 23, 2006, 6:44 pm

I would.

Lowell · Post by **Lowell** » October 25, 2006, 7:03 pm

I Replaced 3 brake light switches before giveing up and making a bracket to go under the dash like the later models. havent had any more problems .I think the switch is for a 68 ford but a lot of different ones will work. Just pull the wires back thru the firewall and change the connectors . The last pressure switch i used ,you really had to stand on the pedal to get the lights to come which is not good

mwilk1 · Post by **mwilk1** » October 25, 2006, 7:51 pm

sounds like yall had it easy.I had to rewire the entire backside of my truck to get anything back there to work. Now eveythings fine. Now i just got to figure out how to hook up a backup light switch. Give me time i will get that too.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » October 25, 2006, 8:01 pm

if you have a manual trans the backup light switch can be gotten by swapping the top of a later trans.

BikerDude · Post by **BikerDude** » October 27, 2006, 11:31 am

My brake lights and running lights weren't working either. I actually tracked it down to corroded and broken wiring/ bullet connectors internal to the bulkhead connector itself. Pain in the butt to find but considering that it is the original bulkhead connector and it has been subject to moisture for since 66 it's not all that suprising. I simply wired around it temporarily until I replace the harness altogether. No doubt if one wire has done this more are to come.

mr .c · Post by **mr .c** » October 28, 2006, 10:14 pm

Lowell wrote:I Replaced 3 brake light switches before giveing up and making a bracket to go under the dash like the later models. havent had any more problems .I think the switch is for a 68 ford but a lot of different ones will work. Just pull the wires back thru the firewall and change the connectors . The last pressure switch i used ,you really had to stand on the pedal to get the lights to come which is not good

so after replacing the switch with a new one you still had to stand on the pedal, do you know if pressure switches come in different tolerances? if not do ya think you can post a picture of the set up you did.

Lowell · Post by **Lowell** » October 28, 2006, 10:29 pm

Dont know about different tolerances , mine just went bad. Couldnt find a Quality Switch ,so i made a bracket and used a switch for a 68 ford so now if you only tap the pedal the lights come on. If you want to stay with a pressure type, maybe Napa has good ones , i didnt try one of theirs

mr .c · Post by **mr .c** » November 3, 2006, 10:09 pm

went to napa got a new switch all is well thanks for the help

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