Brake Lights Again

[stageczar]

Howdy Folks,
So I'm finally back in Vermont working on my '69 J3000 and I almost have my speghetti festival of wiring solved. (thanks Crazy_Jeepman) I've been working on the back end and have all working except hazards (its definately a bad switch) and one brake light. Blinkers are going strong and one brake light works.
So, if the blinker on that side works but not the brake light, does that mean there is a brake in the circut in the harness or could it possibly be at the turn signal switch (or close by) on the collum? :confused: Any ideas on where to look for this problem would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[andy d]

hmmn, sounds like a bad contact at the blinker sw. im guessing thats where the blinkers and the brake lights are common.also, it could be that the blinker is grounded and the brake isnt. yeah,i know they're the same filament.it could do no harm to clean up the socket and switch out the bulb. you could prove the light out with a jumper from the brake light sw to the light. if the brake lite wrks, keep moving toward the rear til it doesnt. wiring repairs take patience. also in a 30 yr old rig,those wires must be n tough shape. have you considered running a whole new ckt?

[stageczar]

Thanks andy. I'll look at the blinker switch. I ran new ckts to the entire back end and installed new sockets, bulbs and added an independent ground for the back end from the battery. I started the new ckts from the harness connecter that ran out from the dash to the rear so I don't think thats where the problem is. I'm pretty sure its in the collum, dash, or where ever the blinkers, hazards, and brake lights gang up. I have to disassemble the wheel to install a new hazard switch so I'll start there tomorrow. Thanks for the tip and I'll let you know how it turns out. But hey... at least the origional radio still works. ;)

[GaWd]

Just a comment...

I don't think there should be a ground from the battery to the rear. Long grounds can be dangerous, and the longer they are, the less grounded they are.

I recommend using the frame wherever you need a ground.

Sam

[stageczar]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>I don't think there should be a ground from the battery to the rear. Long grounds can be dangerous, and the longer they are, the less grounded they are.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I know about the "less grounded" part but I've never heard about the "dangerous" part. Can you please explane? thanks.

[GaWd]

Seems pretty simple to me...

As the ground gets worse and worse, the wire(probably not very heavy in gauge), gets hotter and hotter. In time, you might end up with burnt lights, melted insulation and a ruined ground wire.

Sam

[stageczar]

hmmmm. Never thought about it. Makes sense tho. I'll switch that out and see if everything still works like it should. thanx.

[kuzzzer61]

been there done this, replace the turn signal switch , thats what i had to do to fix mine