Author Topic: help! stop lamps  (Read 6738 times)

Offline markzepp820

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help! stop lamps
« on: April 20, 2006, 08:24:00 pm »
79' C20 5.7 th400

My brake lights recently stopped working. I've checked the ground, stoplight switch, bulbs, fuse, and dang near everything. I started at the wiring all the way at the back to where the bulbs are, to the steering column. Everything is working but still know brake lights. So the only thing I can think of know is the wires inside the steering column. I'm gonna open up the steering column and check out the connections. Everthing works...turn sigs. , hazard, tail, reverse..but not the brake lights. Is it possible that the white wire came loose in the steering column? Does this commonly happen? And is it hard dissasembling the column?  thanks

sorry this is a long topic...


Offline Lt.Del

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> help! stop lamps
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2006, 09:28:00 pm »
If your hazard lights work in the rear, i believe they are the same element in the bulbs, then the wires/bulbs/ground, etc in the rear are good.

It would have to be in the brake pedal switch, i would think.

Get a volt meter.  have someone push the brake pedal.  Take a reading of the brake line while grounding the other lead. Shouldbe be 12 v. That'll tell ya.

SgtDel  


Offline markzepp820

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brakes
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2006, 01:53:00 pm »
I know the brake light switch works. I tested it and even crossed the two wires together and still know brake lights.


Offline VileZambonie

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Re: brakes
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2006, 04:54:00 pm »
Check the connection at the base of the column.

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Offline markzepp820

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brakes
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2006, 07:53:00 pm »
I've checked the connecter and its fine. Theres power to it. I'm thinking it has to be somewhere inside the column where everything is connected.

          thanks                                Mark


Offline 123 pugsy

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Re: brakes
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2006, 05:28:00 am »
The white goes to your turn signal switch.The problem is probably in the switch and not the wire.

Pugsy
76 C10 LWB
TPI 350

Offline markzepp820

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brakes
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2006, 05:31:00 pm »
I know the switch works. I hooked up a test light to it and when the pedal is pressed the light on the tester lights up and unpressed it shuts off. All lights work just not the brake. There is an orange and white wire. the orange comes of the fuse box to the brake switch, then from the brake switch, theres a white wire that leads inside the column itself. I'm thinking that wire came loose inside the column where everything is in contact. Maybe cause I use the tilt alot, maybe it just came loose after awhile.And also, has anyone ever got inside the column? Is if hard to dismantle it? Thanks,
                                                             Mark


Offline WickedC20

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Re: brakes
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2006, 05:34:00 pm »
Check the wires running along the floor board, Ive seen a few from age just break
I'll look at a wiring diag if problems exist


Offline 123 pugsy

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Re: brakes
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2006, 06:39:00 am »
I didn't say brake switch.I said turn signal switch where the white wire goes to.You're definately on the right path if the hazard lights are working.Go to the tech pages for  link to a tilt steering article.

Pugsy
76 C10 LWB
TPI 350

Offline WickedC20

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Re: brakes
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2006, 02:08:00 pm »
Have you powered up the brake light switch, with the turn signal switch unplugged? Only to check the brake light circuit by itself.
The white wire leads up to the turn signal switch, and those lead to just contact points. If the switch is cracked or has bent contacts yeah it could be bad, but you say the 4ways  and TSignals work.
Theres enough slack inside the wiring harness for that wire to move around, but if it has been pulled hard enough to snap away from the turn signal switch I can see it being at fault too.
Returning electrical parts is a pain sometimes, unless you know the parts people pretty well, and I looked up the switch its $60.00 new, heres a picture of it.

partimages.genpt.com/part...425862.jpg

I'd hate to see you spend $$$$ to find its not in the switch and just a torn wire.
Another thing you can do if not done already, wiggle the turn signal and 4 way switch in all kinds of ways while holding your foot on the brake pedal, watch the rear lights or plug a test light into the switch where it wants power. If they light up then you know for sure its inside the column/switch.


Offline markzepp820

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brakes
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2006, 08:38:00 pm »
I fixed the problem. It was the white wire leading to the turn switch. It was disconnected. So I wired it up and they still didn't work. So I wiggled all those wires that lead to the switch and everything works now. I don't use the tilt anymore, I'm affaid that I'll jar it loose again,lol. Thanks guys for your help.
                                                     Mark