Electrical Work?
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Joined: May 2013
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Electrical Work?
My '73 F250 Camper Special has a brake light that won't work and I can't seem to find the break in the line. Its only the left side and its definitely not the bulb. I replaced the switch and blinker just in case, but that didn't make a difference. The taillight and turn signal both work, but the hazard and the brake light don't. I tow a trailer with it and its not working on the rear of the trailer, either. I've followed the wire as far as I could, but can't seem to find an issue. The wiring is all original and getting pretty brittle, so I've kind of been thinking about getting it rewired anyhow. I'm not an electrician and when I took a look at the wiring diagram in my manual I get nervous about jumping into a project like this. Do any of you know of a good automotive electrician you'd recommend? It sure is hard to find anyone who will work on these old trucks. I live in the South Kitsap area, but I'd take it anywhere in the Puget Sound area if I could find someone who knows what they are doing.
Thanks! Any help is appreciated.
Thanks! Any help is appreciated.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Kent Station, WA
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Joined: Feb 2011
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My bet is on the turn signal switch. It switches the power to that light bulb between brake light and turn signal.
It seems the wiring to the back of the truck is all good since the turn signal is the same bulb as the brake light.
So buy a new switch, pop the steering wheel off and put the new switch in there
It seems the wiring to the back of the truck is all good since the turn signal is the same bulb as the brake light.
So buy a new switch, pop the steering wheel off and put the new switch in there
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Shelton, Wa
Start cheap and simple.
A lot of the times the ground wire that goes from the bulb to the body behind the tailight has a bad connection.
Next would be the Bulb Socket, clean it out with electrical cleaner and a wire brush ( you can buy a cheap Bulb socket brush that is ball shaped)
Fuses, the panel takes 3 different styles of round fuse, replace them all with the correct ones.
Adjust the brake light switch at the pedal to make sure it's not pushed in so far that the lights won't turn on under light application of the brakes.
Do all this and report back.
A lot of the times the ground wire that goes from the bulb to the body behind the tailight has a bad connection.
Next would be the Bulb Socket, clean it out with electrical cleaner and a wire brush ( you can buy a cheap Bulb socket brush that is ball shaped)
Fuses, the panel takes 3 different styles of round fuse, replace them all with the correct ones.
Adjust the brake light switch at the pedal to make sure it's not pushed in so far that the lights won't turn on under light application of the brakes.
Do all this and report back.
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New User
Joined: May 2013
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Hey Josh,
Thanks for the advice! Turns out you were right about the turn signal switch. I would've never guessed the turn signal switch would have anything to do with the brake light.
Thanks again,
Scott
Thanks for the advice! Turns out you were right about the turn signal switch. I would've never guessed the turn signal switch would have anything to do with the brake light.
Thanks again,
Scott
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,908
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From: Algona, Washington
Start cheap and simple.
A lot of the times the ground wire that goes from the bulb to the body behind the tailight has a bad connection.
Next would be the Bulb Socket, clean it out with electrical cleaner and a wire brush ( you can buy a cheap Bulb socket brush that is ball shaped)
Fuses, the panel takes 3 different styles of round fuse, replace them all with the correct ones.
Adjust the brake light switch at the pedal to make sure it's not pushed in so far that the lights won't turn on under light application of the brakes.
Do all this and report back.
A lot of the times the ground wire that goes from the bulb to the body behind the tailight has a bad connection.
Next would be the Bulb Socket, clean it out with electrical cleaner and a wire brush ( you can buy a cheap Bulb socket brush that is ball shaped)
Fuses, the panel takes 3 different styles of round fuse, replace them all with the correct ones.
Adjust the brake light switch at the pedal to make sure it's not pushed in so far that the lights won't turn on under light application of the brakes.
Do all this and report back.
.I fixed that, then noticed the sockets were real dirty and corroded. After cleaning everything works as it should! All it cost was stealing some Butt connectors from my brothers stereo tool box
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