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Brake lights out

bcOH67

Well-Known Member
Local time
8:14 AM
Joined
Jul 25, 2019
Messages
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Location
Youngstown, OH
Hey everyone. Just found out today that the passenger side of my tail light does not come on when braking (3 bulbs with the brown and black wires). The turn signal function works, bulbs are good and body harness is new. The driver side bulbs with the green and black wires operate as they should. Just started recently as I know they have worked fine until now. Any clues as where to look first? Don’t have access to my wire diagrams at the moment so to save time I thought I’d check with the community.

Thanks for any help!
 
This is a typical issue when the Turn signal switch goes bad
the TS switch is the only place that the brake lights are shut off when the turn signal is engaged
Replace or repair the TS switch and your problems should be fixed
 
Thanks for your help!

I just put in a new switch a couple months ago and everything was working fine since I replaced it- so would I be looking for a broken wire or something? I checked the connector and it is good. Or is there another less likely issues to look for before I go into the column again?
 
Yes broken or pinched wire
it could be that a pin came loose in the connector
However I never got that lucky
I got sick of replacing cheap turn signal switches and ponied up for NOS
There is a guy on this site that come highly recommended but I have not personally used him
you might message him @Slantsixdan
 
Agree about the poor quality turn signal switch and probable cause of your issues. I also second the @Slantsixdan turn signal switches.
 
Only when braking? I had this problem and performed a process of elimination. Turn signal, hazard lights, park lights. All three bulbs on that side were burnt on one of the two filaments. I wanted to eliminate the simplest problem, bulbs, before I went crazy looking for electrical issues somewhere else. I had the same problem with brand new in hood turn signals. Thought it couldn't possibly be the bulbs, they were new. Power was getting to the socket, brand new bad bulbs. Just my opinion.
 
Yeah just when braking. Turn signals and flashers work. I pulled one of the bulbs and tested it and both filaments lit up. I checked but I’m not able to send slantsixdan a message because his inbox is full. I’d have to get on from somewhere else. I bought the one I just put in from classic industries.

Any way I could disconnect the connector for the switch and put power to the harness side connector to test and make sure it is the switch? Bypass the turn signal switch just to see if the lights come on when I brake
 
Yeah just when braking. Turn signals and flashers work. I pulled one of the bulbs and tested it and both filaments lit up. I checked but I’m not able to send slantsixdan a message because his inbox is full. I’d have to get on from somewhere else. I bought the one I just put in from classic industries.

Any way I could disconnect the connector for the switch and put power to the harness side connector to test and make sure it is the switch? Bypass the turn signal switch just to see if the lights come on when I brake


His mailbox is full. Tell him to empty it out.
 
You could test the switch at the connector with a digital volt ohm meter
the brake light switch should provide 12 volts to the TS switch connector on the column
This should come out in two places one each for the left and right side lights
If it only comes out on one side the short is in the column
 
Try Daniel Stern Lighting on the web.
 
Here's my "simplified" drawing.
Since the site reduces the quality, I'm afraid they won't be too much help.
Here anyway.
I drew it from the 67 Charger factory and from the better factory 73 A body prints because these things can get confusing.
The "DDCP" would translate to your cluster indication bulbs.
And don't rely on my redrawn connection points to the engine and forward bulbs. Those are modifications.
But the turn signal switch function works the same on all cars.
As you can see IF the turn signal/brake filaments work on the braking function the bulb and wires are "good" for the turn signal function.
It's the same circuit for the same filaments.
So you have to look somewhere other than the wiring after you get past the switch to bulbs.

Simplified turn hazzard tail lights FINAL.jpg
 
NOTE!
The only turn signal switches I have been able to find for A bodies have a solid "finger" spring pick up for the horn ring instead of the correct "wheel" spring loaded pick up.
I can hear it rubbing as I turn the steering wheel.
But I WAS able to find a 67 B body switch assembly with the OE style "wheel" pickup easily online.
Before covid anyway.
 
Hey everyone. I’ve finally been able to purchase a new turn signal switch (stern), and I pulled the wheel to start the replacement today. Ever since I’ve had the car I’ve had to keep the horns disconnected because they’ll go off randomly when I turn the wheel. All the wires seem to be good, so any suggestions?

I’d like to fix up the column and any issues while I’ve got it apart so any recommendations on things to check/clean/inspect? I know it’s hard to say anything without seeing it but thought I’d ask.

The little cone/cover part that spins around right below the turn signal lever spins but for the life of me I can’t figure out what it does.
 
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