Brake Light Problem
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Brake Light Problem
I have a 1972 F-600 truck that the brake lights don't work. The turn signal, flashers, and tail lights all work. I have checked the brake pedal switch with ohmmeter and I have power going to the switch. From the switch, the wire goes into a bundle up under the dash and when the bundle goes into the engine compartment the wire color changes. Could someone tell me what does the brake switch tie into under the dash or what wires could I tie into in the engine compartment to bypass the under dash stuff. Thanks
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From: Virginia
The power for the brakelights leaves the switch, and goes up to the turnsignal switch in the column. That is assuming you have the regular two red lights on either side in the rear of the truck.
Originally, all American trucks have the two red taillights, with one bulb with dual filaments inside. The dimmer filament is the running light. The brighter filament is the turnsignal AND the brake light all in one. That is why the brake switch power goes to the turnsignal switch. The turnsignal switch mixes the flasher and the brake signals together so they will work with the single filament in the rear.
If someone rigged this differently on your truck, you could have an extra set of amber lights in the back that are turn only. The foreign vehicles use this system, and they use seperate amber turn lights, and red running lights, and this system does not have the brake signal going to the turnsignal switch.
One problem with the amber turn system is with trailer towing. Most trailers have the combined red American system, so vehicles with the amber turns system need an adapter box you can buy in the store to re-combine the signals for the trailer.
Originally, all American trucks have the two red taillights, with one bulb with dual filaments inside. The dimmer filament is the running light. The brighter filament is the turnsignal AND the brake light all in one. That is why the brake switch power goes to the turnsignal switch. The turnsignal switch mixes the flasher and the brake signals together so they will work with the single filament in the rear.
If someone rigged this differently on your truck, you could have an extra set of amber lights in the back that are turn only. The foreign vehicles use this system, and they use seperate amber turn lights, and red running lights, and this system does not have the brake signal going to the turnsignal switch.
One problem with the amber turn system is with trailer towing. Most trailers have the combined red American system, so vehicles with the amber turns system need an adapter box you can buy in the store to re-combine the signals for the trailer.
Last edited by Franklin2; Dec 3, 2007 at 02:10 PM.
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