My situation on my 72 F100 4x4-

The left brake light and flasher work while the right does not.
All signal lights work fine.
All tail lights work fine too.
It's ONLY the right rear stop light and right rear flasher that do not work.


I traced my missing right brake light problem to the turn signal switch. I have power to the switch from the brake switch and flasher, but it's just not getting to right rear. Being the signal for the right rear works, that tells me the wires are OK as it's the same wire. Looks like I'll need to replace the signal switch, about $50, or take my chances with a single stop light in the rear.

Has anyone replaced the signal switch and how hard of a job was it? I don't have the new switch yet, but where will the wiring connections happen? Will I have to remove the steering column or do I need to get a soldering gun to attach them at the new switch?

Just looking for some advise before I tear into it.

Thanks,
Keith

 

Pull the st. wheel, I think there are 3 screws that hold the switch,it has a plug near the brake pedal,un-screw the t/s lever and the whole harness pulls out trough column.Should take about 1 hr.give or take.

 

Thanks, kind of what I thought.

I pulled the wheel and the screws yesterday to check for power, but didn't look at the other end yet. Think I'll attach a wire on the bottom end before I pull the switch out top that way I can pull the new wires into place as opposed to pushing the wires down the tube.

Thanks,
Keith

 

To make it easyer tie a string to the old wires you just unpluged when pulling them out through column. Installing retie string to new unit wires and put some type of tape around wires to help keep string on and them in a tight group on wire ends as you pull them back in from the bottom of column with string works for me..my 2cent
orich

 

My favorite auto parts store has that switch for under $20.

 

$20.00, Can't beat that. I just got one for a customer about mo. ago from FORD for around $70, retail was $98. My after market supplier was about $5 more, my cost and retail was same.

 

Hey Baitmaster, what auto parts store had it for $20? And are you talking about the entire switch with th 6 to 8 3-foot wires hanging off of it or are you talking about the cancelling cam? I bought a cancelling cam (only has 2 wires coming off it) from NAPA for $12 but then turns out I needed the whole switch.

And kwanderi, you don't just pull out the harness through the steering. You have to first remove each pin from the plastic harness plug. It isn't hard. You just take a small screwdriver or anything else small like that and push in the little metal retaining piece that holds each pin in place. You'll want to re-use the plastic harness connector.

 

Thanks all.

I ordered a new switch from LMC for $50 and will attempt the change this weekend. I also got the 72 manual from our sponsers which has excellent instructions. It explains about the harness plug, doesn't look to be too bad of a job.

Just hope I have both brake light when I'm done.

Keith

 

You should have good brake lights when done. I was having the same problem on my 72. My taillights and brake lights were both intermittent. Now they work perfectly. I think that the connections just wear over time.

 

It's a pretty easy job. I replaced the switch on my '68F100 in about an hour. Be sure to draw a diagram telling you which wire went where in the plastic connector.