Stop Light Switch
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 298
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From: Mexico
Stop Light Switch
I am having electrical problems with my trailer lights and brakes. I think it is a wiring problem, probably corrosion from the salt air I live in. In looking at my old installation instructions for the controller it mentioned incorrect wiring can kill this switch.
What is the stop light switch and where is it?
What is the stop light switch and where is it?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,945
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The stop light switch is the little button that mounts on the brake pedal, roughly 3 1/2" long, bout as big around as a nickle and usually black or grey, 2 wires come off of it. Costs about $2 at a parts store but without it, no trailer brakes or brake lights.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
What are the problems you are having with the trailer lights? One of the biggest issues with trailer wiring is proper grounding. If there isn't a good ground at the truck that carries over to each of the lights on the trailer, weird things can happen.
Look over the connections everywhere and clean or replace anything thats corroded. I'm kinda in the same boat right now. The right tail light signal wasn't working at my trailer connector. I had built a junction box that fit in the bumper, but it leaked and a few things corroded. So I'm switching the setup to one mounted in the bed that I can get to and troubleshoot/fix a lot easier in the future.
I've also had the tail lights in my truck stop working because the ground for the lights failed.
Look over the connections everywhere and clean or replace anything thats corroded. I'm kinda in the same boat right now. The right tail light signal wasn't working at my trailer connector. I had built a junction box that fit in the bumper, but it leaked and a few things corroded. So I'm switching the setup to one mounted in the bed that I can get to and troubleshoot/fix a lot easier in the future.
I've also had the tail lights in my truck stop working because the ground for the lights failed.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Mexico
I hate electrical problems. When one thing happens others start.
I have a cab-over camper on the truck and pulling a cargo trailer. I have no running lights, turn signals, flashers, or trailer brakes. I have a brake light on the left side. Camper and trailer. All the fuses check out.
I am 1500 miles south of the USA border. When I started my trip north everything was working. Two hours into the trip and everything started to slowly die.
I took it to an auto electrico mechanico today. In my best Spanglish I asked him to start at the front of the truck and work his way back checking all the connections. I gave him the schematic for the plug and the install instructions for the brake controller (in English). Now my finger are crossed hoping he understood.
In the past I have had good luck with Mexican mechanics. The cost is a lot cheaper too.
I have a cab-over camper on the truck and pulling a cargo trailer. I have no running lights, turn signals, flashers, or trailer brakes. I have a brake light on the left side. Camper and trailer. All the fuses check out.
I am 1500 miles south of the USA border. When I started my trip north everything was working. Two hours into the trip and everything started to slowly die.
I took it to an auto electrico mechanico today. In my best Spanglish I asked him to start at the front of the truck and work his way back checking all the connections. I gave him the schematic for the plug and the install instructions for the brake controller (in English). Now my finger are crossed hoping he understood.
In the past I have had good luck with Mexican mechanics. The cost is a lot cheaper too.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Mexico
I am going to be in shock when I get north of the border.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
What was wrong? some bad connections, or something else broke? Just curious...
Thats definitely a lot cheaper than anyone you'll find north of the border.
Thats definitely a lot cheaper than anyone you'll find north of the border.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 298
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From: Mexico
I lost the clutch safety switch and the truck wouldn't start last night unless we jumped the solenoid. It was getting dark and he was getting frustrated so we jumped it and I took the rig home for the night. He came to my house this morning and tracked that down and now it is working.
No extra charge for the house call.
I hope to start my long trip to California on Saturday.
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