Brake light switch
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 554
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Brake light switch
My brakes have been acting inconsistent. Sometimes they work sometimes they don’t. My blinkers work without issue, I tried replacing the switch but the same thing happened.
What other grounds are there to check besides the ones in the tail light housing?
What other grounds are there to check besides the ones in the tail light housing?
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 554
Likes: 13
so where should I look? Brake switch or turn signal switch? Fuse box?
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,124
From: Angier, NC
Ok being the turn & brake lights use the same part of the bulb, wires back to the bulbs from the turn signal switch it can be anything in front of the turn switch.
I would first unplug the brake light switch wires and short them together did the brake lights work?
If so I would then check the switch with a ohm meter if it works and if not replace it again.
If they did not light when shorted try flipping the turn signal switch a few times and see if they start to work.
If not you will need to trace the wires from the brake light switch that feed to the turn switch and see if the turn switch is getting the signal from the brake light switch and if not you need to fix that wire.
If the turn signal switch is getting a signal from the brake light switch then I would think the turn signal switch is no goodand needs to be replaced.
Dave ----
ps replace the fuses for turn and/or brake lights, don't just check them by looking at them REPLACE THEM!
I would first unplug the brake light switch wires and short them together did the brake lights work?
If so I would then check the switch with a ohm meter if it works and if not replace it again.
If they did not light when shorted try flipping the turn signal switch a few times and see if they start to work.
If not you will need to trace the wires from the brake light switch that feed to the turn switch and see if the turn switch is getting the signal from the brake light switch and if not you need to fix that wire.
If the turn signal switch is getting a signal from the brake light switch then I would think the turn signal switch is no goodand needs to be replaced.
Dave ----
ps replace the fuses for turn and/or brake lights, don't just check them by looking at them REPLACE THEM!
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 554
Likes: 13
Okay great! Thanks for the help, I really just needed something to get on the right path! I should have time to do all that later this week, thanks!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Is this brake light switch one of those pressure types? Ford used them for a long time, but the parts houses only carry the el-cheapos now. If they last a year you're doing good. Try a genuine Autolite/Motorcraft part, or some convert to a pedal mounted switch and avoid the hassle.
I'm not very good with wiring, but one thing that helps me with brake lights & turn signal jiggery-pokery and the rest of it is to basically divide the system in half. That way the defect can be ruled out in the steering column and under the dash, or somewhere in the engine bay.
The way you do that is at those rubber block pin connectors that go through the firewall. These probably need cleaning anyway. Clean and bright and shiny tight. Use a simple test light - an 1157 bulb with some wires soldered to it and alligator clips works great. Start where it still works, and then keep going back, to where it don't. Somewhere in there, is the trouble. Old splices, mices, and corrosion cause lots of problems. There are a few SAE and bullet connectors under the bed, and in the tailgate area particularly that probably haven't been apart in quite some time, if ever. Mac's and the other usual suspects sells replacement harnesses for these too.
I'm not very good with wiring, but one thing that helps me with brake lights & turn signal jiggery-pokery and the rest of it is to basically divide the system in half. That way the defect can be ruled out in the steering column and under the dash, or somewhere in the engine bay.
The way you do that is at those rubber block pin connectors that go through the firewall. These probably need cleaning anyway. Clean and bright and shiny tight. Use a simple test light - an 1157 bulb with some wires soldered to it and alligator clips works great. Start where it still works, and then keep going back, to where it don't. Somewhere in there, is the trouble. Old splices, mices, and corrosion cause lots of problems. There are a few SAE and bullet connectors under the bed, and in the tailgate area particularly that probably haven't been apart in quite some time, if ever. Mac's and the other usual suspects sells replacement harnesses for these too.
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 368
Likes: 6
I have heard that Harley-Davidson brake switches are the better quality ones. Yes, they screw in, but terminals can be different.
Sorry, no idea of year, however IF (big if, these days) your counterperson is good, they'll know.
P.S. I would (and have) relay the brake switch, takes the electrical load off the contacts, and they last longer.
P.P.S. I put a mechnical (Genuine Ford) brake light switch in my truck.
Sorry, no idea of year, however IF (big if, these days) your counterperson is good, they'll know.
P.S. I would (and have) relay the brake switch, takes the electrical load off the contacts, and they last longer.
P.P.S. I put a mechnical (Genuine Ford) brake light switch in my truck.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Ok being the turn & brake lights use the same part of the bulb, wires back to the bulbs from the turn signal switch it can be anything in front of the turn switch.
I would first unplug the brake light switch wires and short them together did the brake lights work?
If so I would then check the switch with a ohm meter if it works and if not replace it again.
If they did not light when shorted try flipping the turn signal switch a few times and see if they start to work.
If not you will need to trace the wires from the brake light switch that feed to the turn switch and see if the turn switch is getting the signal from the brake light switch and if not you need to fix that wire.
If the turn signal switch is getting a signal from the brake light switch then I would think the turn signal switch is no goodand needs to be replaced.
Dave ----
ps replace the fuses for turn and/or brake lights, don't just check them by looking at them REPLACE THEM!
I would first unplug the brake light switch wires and short them together did the brake lights work?
If so I would then check the switch with a ohm meter if it works and if not replace it again.
If they did not light when shorted try flipping the turn signal switch a few times and see if they start to work.
If not you will need to trace the wires from the brake light switch that feed to the turn switch and see if the turn switch is getting the signal from the brake light switch and if not you need to fix that wire.
If the turn signal switch is getting a signal from the brake light switch then I would think the turn signal switch is no goodand needs to be replaced.
Dave ----
ps replace the fuses for turn and/or brake lights, don't just check them by looking at them REPLACE THEM!
John
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