brake lights not working
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
brake lights not working
I have a 1981 f100 and have recently put in a new turn signal switch thinking it would solve my problem of my brake lights not working. My right turn signal works but not my left and when pushing down the brake pedal neither one of my brake lights light up. Any ideas to what could be the problem?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Lyman, SC
Going to throw this out there....Dad had a problem with one turn signal not working. He replaced the switch twice, and even wired the front bulb to the rear (until he realized it lit up when hitting the brakes, too). First he found the bulb connector corroded and it still didn't work. Then when I was under there looking for something I saw the connector wasn't plugged together all the way. Actually had to take the plug off the column so I could get both hands on them and push them together like crushing walnuts...you could not push the switch connector into the column connector at all otherwise . It was very hard to get together and apparently both of the new ones were like that. Works fine now, weird that with it being about a quarter inch or more from being snapped together that just one turn signal wasn't working and everything else was.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,977
Likes: 2,733
From: Virginia
I have a 1981 f100 and have recently put in a new turn signal switch thinking it would solve my problem of my brake lights not working. My right turn signal works but not my left and when pushing down the brake pedal neither one of my brake lights light up. Any ideas to what could be the problem?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 2
From: Rocky Mountain High
This may sound waaaay too obvious ... but have you checked the bulb?
When I got Festus, I believe the only exterior light that was working was one headlamp. No brake/turn signal/running light/backup lights.
Tip: If you take more than one bulb to the parts store, tape it to a piece of cardboard and label it. A lot of these bulbs are 'the same but different'.
I spent something like $40 replacing all the bad bulbs. And I kept every every bulb package, and wrote what I bought it for, and filed it away in the parts museum.
ADDENDUM: If the bulb is still good, check the contacts inside the socket and make sure they're not all covered with spooge.
When I got Festus, I believe the only exterior light that was working was one headlamp. No brake/turn signal/running light/backup lights.
Tip: If you take more than one bulb to the parts store, tape it to a piece of cardboard and label it. A lot of these bulbs are 'the same but different'.
I spent something like $40 replacing all the bad bulbs. And I kept every every bulb package, and wrote what I bought it for, and filed it away in the parts museum.
ADDENDUM: If the bulb is still good, check the contacts inside the socket and make sure they're not all covered with spooge.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MY68F250
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
19
Apr 2, 2025 08:59 AM
BowMasterOR
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Mar 1, 2018 01:44 PM
ryank59701
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Nov 28, 2015 10:19 PM
78_f800crewcab4x4
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Jun 21, 2011 01:32 AM
