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Hi Guys,
It has been years since I have posted but I have started back up on my project and you guys always have given me the right answers in the past
I have my grandpa's 1960 F350 that I have been working on and I have not been able to get the brake lights or the turn signals to work consistently.
I replaced the switch on the brake master cylinder but have had no luck, no blown fuses either. Is it something to do with the signal switch? The lights pretty much never come on and if they do they are extremely dim.
You may have problems with the contacts in the lamp sockets or the wiring, particularly grounds. The easy way (not really easy, but easier) starts with having the shop manual or a good wiring diagram and a 12 volt test light. I start under the dash with the wires that go to the stop lights, using the test light (one lead to a good shiny ground, the other to the wire in question) to see if it lights up bright when brake is applied or turn signal is on. If it is, I just keep tracing the wires and checking until I get to the sockets and bulbs. Whenever I do not get a bright light, I clean, repair, and replace until I do.
Sometimes this is tedious, but it works. For a "quick and dirty", first redo all grounds at the stop lamps and front turn signals and see if that helps.
Have you checked the wires as they go into the flasher? In the '57 I had the flasher had to be hooked up so that the blinkers and/or the brake lights would come on. It could be loose or have dirty connections.
You may have problems with the contacts in the lamp sockets or the wiring, particularly grounds. The easy way (not really easy, but easier) starts with having the shop manual or a good wiring diagram and a 12 volt test light. I start under the dash with the wires that go to the stop lights, using the test light (one lead to a good shiny ground, the other to the wire in question) to see if it lights up bright when brake is applied or turn signal is on. If it is, I just keep tracing the wires and checking until I get to the sockets and bulbs. Whenever I do not get a bright light, I clean, repair, and replace until I do.
Sometimes this is tedious, but it works. For a "quick and dirty", first redo all grounds at the stop lamps and front turn signals and see if that helps.
Amen Brother! Grounds are often neglected but are very essential.
Another common trouble can be where others have repaired broken wires in years gone by. Often, folks will twist the wires together to form a splice and then wrap with tape. Unfortunately moisture collects under the tape and soon you have a bad connection. So, check for any taped up connections along the length of the wires and verify their integrity.
I had the same problem with my '58 and I re did the grounds and they are working fine. I grounded mine at the light socket though. I wrapped a wire around the metal sleeve of the bulb and put the bulb in the socket. I then grounded that wire and they work fine.
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