Brake lights and turns signals not working
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 8
From: Kennedy, NY 14747
Brake lights and turns signals not working
Hi all,
On my 1997 f250 powerstroke. I plugged my 7 pin wiring harness into a unknown trailer, turned on the headlights and saw all 4 of the trailer lights were on. So I tried the turn signals, not working, so I tried the brakes, not working.
Unplugged the trailer and still not working. I checked all the fuses with a dvom, all good.
I checked power to the turnsignal flasher, I have power on one side. I can't change flashers because the emergency flasher is missing already.
But the flasher won't have anything to do with the brake lights, right?
I also pulled the left tail light to check for power at the bulb connector. I have power for the reverse lights and tail lights, that's it.
I am looking for a wiring diagram. But I thought I would throw this out here to see if anyone has seen this before.
What is in common between the brake and turn signal that can be lown at the same time?
As far as I know everything was working before this happened.
All help much appreciated.
Thanks, Joe W.
On my 1997 f250 powerstroke. I plugged my 7 pin wiring harness into a unknown trailer, turned on the headlights and saw all 4 of the trailer lights were on. So I tried the turn signals, not working, so I tried the brakes, not working.
Unplugged the trailer and still not working. I checked all the fuses with a dvom, all good.
I checked power to the turnsignal flasher, I have power on one side. I can't change flashers because the emergency flasher is missing already.
But the flasher won't have anything to do with the brake lights, right?
I also pulled the left tail light to check for power at the bulb connector. I have power for the reverse lights and tail lights, that's it.
I am looking for a wiring diagram. But I thought I would throw this out here to see if anyone has seen this before.
What is in common between the brake and turn signal that can be lown at the same time?
As far as I know everything was working before this happened.
All help much appreciated.
Thanks, Joe W.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 11
From: DARTMOUTH MA
i just had the same problem...i never figured the rite way to fix it but for me to get my brake lights and turn signals to work i have to keep my 4 way hazards pressed ON to make mine work! lol
hey. whatever works.
good luck!
hey. whatever works.
good luck!
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 8
From: Kennedy, NY 14747
I can't check if mine work that way until I get another flasher. But I hope to fix it right if I can.
I checked my brake light switch, its good. I am also getting the brake light on the brake controller to go on. Nothing to the back of the truck.
I have to find a connector to the rear harness. I didn't get under and look yet.
I did look at my 7 pin connector and found two rusted terminals next to each other. I checked them for continuity and the are connected. I don't think they should be. I disconnected the two connectors from the truck side. Tomorrow I will get a new connector and rewire the 7 pin. Hopefully the two rusted terminals are causing the problem?? It no blown fuse is confusing.
I am hoping someone can send me a wiring schematic. If not i have to get one tomorrow.
Thanks,
Joe W.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
That's not what I wanted to hear. Lol
I can't check if mine work that way until I get another flasher. But I hope to fix it right if I can.
I checked my brake light switch, its good. I am also getting the brake light on the brake controller to go on. Nothing to the back of the truck.
I have to find a connector to the rear harness. I didn't get under and look yet.
I did look at my 7 pin connector and found two rusted terminals next to each other. I checked them for continuity and the are connected. I don't think they should be. I disconnected the two connectors from the truck side. Tomorrow I will get a new connector and rewire the 7 pin. Hopefully the two rusted terminals are causing the problem?? It no blown fuse is confusing.
I am hoping someone can send me a wiring schematic. If not i have to get one tomorrow.
Thanks,
Joe W.
I can't check if mine work that way until I get another flasher. But I hope to fix it right if I can.
I checked my brake light switch, its good. I am also getting the brake light on the brake controller to go on. Nothing to the back of the truck.
I have to find a connector to the rear harness. I didn't get under and look yet.
I did look at my 7 pin connector and found two rusted terminals next to each other. I checked them for continuity and the are connected. I don't think they should be. I disconnected the two connectors from the truck side. Tomorrow I will get a new connector and rewire the 7 pin. Hopefully the two rusted terminals are causing the problem?? It no blown fuse is confusing.
I am hoping someone can send me a wiring schematic. If not i have to get one tomorrow.
Thanks,
Joe W.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 8
From: Kennedy, NY 14747
The wiring for the seven pin is all over the Internet and is standard. The Ford seven pin typically corrodes on the side of the connection under the bed and the pin failure is a common problem. Instead of checking the pins, check the wires feeding the seven pin receptacle with your meter. That will tell you if you have a problem ahead of the harness.
The problem with the brake circuit is between the tail lights and the brake light switch. That's why I want the schematic. So I can follow the circuit.
I disconnected the 2 connectors under the left rear corner of the bed. The black and grey connectors that run down to the 7 pin.
They look good.
We're is the connector you are talking about located?
Thanks, Joe W.
Last edited by The other Joe; Jul 14, 2013 at 08:15 PM. Reason: More info
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
The schematic I am looking for is the truck wiring. I did find the 7 pin wiring online.
The problem with the brake circuit is between the tail lights and the brake light switch. That's why I want the schematic. So I can follow the circuit.
I disconnected the 2 connectors under the left rear corner of the bed. The black and grey connectors that run down to the 7 pin.
They look good.
We're is the connector you are talking about located?
Thanks, Joe W.
The problem with the brake circuit is between the tail lights and the brake light switch. That's why I want the schematic. So I can follow the circuit.
I disconnected the 2 connectors under the left rear corner of the bed. The black and grey connectors that run down to the 7 pin.
They look good.
We're is the connector you are talking about located?
Thanks, Joe W.
I may be off track, but I most often find folks try troubleshooting the entire system before they verify the wires to the back of the seven pin receptacle are dead. On that, the back normally snaps off and the receptacle is an ongoing problem as it is a very poor design. The harness on the trucks is far less often a problem unless it has been hacked by someone.
I normally assume an intact harness, although I know that is not always the case.
If you, in fact verified nothing to the pins from the wires behind the plug, I would be thinking fuses, I don't know all the trucks so am just giving you my troubleshooting heuristic.
Good luck,
Steve
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 8
From: Kennedy, NY 14747
Joe,
I may be off track, but I most often find folks try troubleshooting the entire system before they verify the wires to the back of the seven pin receptacle are dead. On that, the back normally snaps off and the receptacle is an ongoing problem as it is a very poor design. The harness on the trucks is far less often a problem unless it has been hacked by someone.
I normally assume an intact harness, although I know that is not always the case.
If you, in fact verified nothing to the pins from the wires behind the plug, I would be thinking fuses, I don't know all the trucks so am just giving you my troubleshooting heuristic.
Good luck,
Steve
I may be off track, but I most often find folks try troubleshooting the entire system before they verify the wires to the back of the seven pin receptacle are dead. On that, the back normally snaps off and the receptacle is an ongoing problem as it is a very poor design. The harness on the trucks is far less often a problem unless it has been hacked by someone.
I normally assume an intact harness, although I know that is not always the case.
If you, in fact verified nothing to the pins from the wires behind the plug, I would be thinking fuses, I don't know all the trucks so am just giving you my troubleshooting heuristic.
Good luck,
Steve
Right now the problem is I don't have brake lights or turn signals at the tail lights. Forget about the trailer wiring for now.
Since I don't have brake lights I decided to look into that first. All fuses are good. I have power through the brake light switch. But no power to the rear brake lights. So I have a problem between the b light switch and the brake light bulbs.
I also don't have turn signals. They don't light up in the dash or at any corner. Other than checking the fuses, I haven't looked into the the signals yet.
I brought up the 7 pin because I usually check aftermarket add ons first. And I do see a problem with the connectors being rusty and showing continuity between two terminals. I don't think that is the causing my problem with the brake or turn signals. But it needs to be fixed. If I get real lucky that may have been causing a weird short.
I hope I didn't confuse anyone more. It's late, I'm tired
I could really use a wiring diagram. I know I should have the service manual. No excuses.
I check back in the morning.
Thanks,
Joe W.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: western SD
Could you have fried the multi function switch on the column? Back in the modle years that had the dimmer switch on the floor, the contacts for the turn signals under the steering wheel cpould corrode, causing the simptems you are having. I'm not sure if that could happen with the m.f.s.,but I thought I would throw this out.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 8
From: Kennedy, NY 14747
Good morning all,
I will answer the last 3 posts here.
Yes, I did check every fuse with a dvom. Paying special attention to fuses 13 and 7 if I remember right. Also checked every fuse under hood. First thing I did.
The multi function switch? I haven't checked that yet.
The 3rd bake light. Haven't looked into that yet.
That's why I am going to try to get a schematic today. I want to see where the brake light wire goes from the switch. See what else it ties into.
I will look into it more later today and report back.
All help is appreciated,
Thank, Joe
I will answer the last 3 posts here.
Yes, I did check every fuse with a dvom. Paying special attention to fuses 13 and 7 if I remember right. Also checked every fuse under hood. First thing I did.
The multi function switch? I haven't checked that yet.
The 3rd bake light. Haven't looked into that yet.
That's why I am going to try to get a schematic today. I want to see where the brake light wire goes from the switch. See what else it ties into.
I will look into it more later today and report back.
All help is appreciated,
Thank, Joe
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 8
From: Kennedy, NY 14747
QUOTE=kupiec20;13339878]i just had the same problem...i never figured the rite way to fix it but for me to get my brake lights and turn signals to work i have to keep my 4 way hazards pressed ON to make mine work! lol
hey. whatever works.
good luck![/QUOTE]
Update on my electrical problem. Opinions wanted!
I can get my brake and turn signals to work by playing with the emergency brake flasher button. When I turn the key on and put the turn signal switch to on, the signals don't work. If I press the flasher button 2 times(that seems to be the pattern) the turn signals and brake lights work. They seem to work ok until the key is turned off again. Then I have to repeat the sequence to get the brake and turn signal to work again.
I am going to spray cleaner and air into the contacts to see if that helps.
Otherwise I am guessing I need a new combo switch. Before I spend 90 bucks, I would like to be sure.
Has anyone fixed ts problem?
Thanks, Joe
hey. whatever works.
good luck![/QUOTE]
Update on my electrical problem. Opinions wanted!
I can get my brake and turn signals to work by playing with the emergency brake flasher button. When I turn the key on and put the turn signal switch to on, the signals don't work. If I press the flasher button 2 times(that seems to be the pattern) the turn signals and brake lights work. They seem to work ok until the key is turned off again. Then I have to repeat the sequence to get the brake and turn signal to work again.
I am going to spray cleaner and air into the contacts to see if that helps.
Otherwise I am guessing I need a new combo switch. Before I spend 90 bucks, I would like to be sure.
Has anyone fixed ts problem?
Thanks, Joe
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,195
Likes: 6
From: Medford Oregon
Brake lights go through the hazard flasher button as do the turn indicators in the dash.
1996 Bronco/F-Series Workshop Manual
1996 Bronco/F-Series Workshop Manual