Break Lights (intentional misspelling-pun)

[nicktheviking]

My left and right indicators work, as do my left and right parking lights. However my left reverse light and brake lights do not work.

I looked and CAN NOT find my hazard switch. Most of my dashboard wiring is exposed, as I have no lower/center console now. Can anyone help me with the colors of the hazard switch wires so I can track it down?

[TulsaSpider]

My console was loose as well when I got mine. I need to get in there again this weekend and install my fan clips. Much of your dash power will go through the hazard switch, including indicators. My indicators were jump wired up to a switched 12v source maybe yours are as well, so when I installed my hazard switch the points were powered and burned up! The indicator flasher is a silver cylinder just behind the ignition switch, make sure there isn't a jumper wire there when you get your hazard switch and get it installed or it'll do the same. Not sure on the wiring it's been too long! I'd consult Brad Artigue's diagrams or someone here can point you in the right direction.
Break lights!
Check to see if you are getting power to the brake light switch. If you are, check to see if it needs to be adjusted. If that is ok then take it out and compress it about 100 times and test it. If that doesn't work order a switch. Of course check your connections at the brake light before you do all of this the wires are brittle and corroded and clean all grounds, clean all grounds, clean all grounds!
Good luck!

[ventura ace]

Nick,
Not to come down on you too hard, good buddy, but you need to get a manual so you'll have the info handy when you need it. Admittedly, the manuals can be hard to find, if they don't come with the car. And, when you ask for help on the Forum, be sure to let people know what your car is so folks don't need to read back through your posts to figure it out. OK, I'm off my soapbox now.

Brad Artigues electrical diagrams for 81-82 are here: http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/81_82_COMPLETE.pdf
Don't know if it would be similar for your '80 or not.

Alvon

[So Cal Mark]

the late model tail light circuit boards are very problematic. If brake lights and reverse light work on one side then the switches are okay. Look for corroded loose connections on the circuit board

[nicktheviking]

the late model tail light circuit boards are very problematic. If brake lights and reverse light work on one side then the switches are okay. Look for corroded loose connections on the circuit board

Yeah, I took them out and cleaned them off with electronics cleaner. Still having issues. Replacements are pretty expensive.

[mbouse]

99.8% of the time, a basic circuit like the lights, when acting up, will have a grounding issue a the root.

and, when i work on lights, i always start with replacing the bulb, then the fuse for that circuit. you then eliminate two variables right off the get go.

and, depending on what year car you have... if you do not have a hazard switch, the turn signals won't work (1979+)

so, if indeed you have an '80 and the hazard switch has been eliminated, and the turn signals are working... you have the previous owner syndrome... someone has cobbled your wiring.

can you find a round connector with about 8 wires ?? that should be where your hazard switch goes.

[danaspider]

I think you will find that Marks eval is the one to pirsue. If one side works and the other doesn't it has to be the wiring or board. Cleaning will help, but I went back and resoldered all of the connections after cleaning. Also use very fine sand paper or emory paper on the inside of the sockets themselves. Also slightly lift the center floating connector so bulb has a little tension to stay in place.

Do you have a volt meter or test light. Stick it to the center contact, avoiding shorting to the side of the socket and see if you have power. If not, you can see the "wiring" by following the silver traces on the PC board. Follow back till you have power and start soldering.

[launieg]

On my '81, I found that the there was hidden corrosion underneath the sockets, where they are tight to the circuit boards. I drilled out the rivets that hold the socket in place and was surprised. Cleaned that up and re-riveted, and it's fixed. It's just one possibility for you, easily identified by using a circuit tester before drilling out the rivets.

[nicktheviking]

Well, I discovered a silver cylinder above my ignition switch, I'd imagine that's the hazard switch? At this point, I think my problem is circuit board corrosion. I'm going to order a new set from bruce's as they are fairly inexpensive.

[rlux4]

The silver cylinder is the blinker. The power comes from the hazard switch to it and it's function is to interrupt the power intermittently which makes the lights go on and off, (blink). That's the thing you hear on a lot of cars making the "click, click, click" sound when your turn signals or emer. flashers are on. The switch itself would be located on your upper console normally.
Ron

[nicktheviking]

I cleaned the ground and replaced brake light bulbs.

Left & Right turn signal work--yay.
Right backup light works--the left bulb doesn't look so hot, need to be replaced.
Right parking lamp works, left doesn't.
Still no brake lights.

I haven't taken my multimeter out there yet, but I'm thinking it might be a bad brake light switch.

[So Cal Mark]

progress! the brake light switch is easy to check if you have a test light

[nicktheviking]

I forgot that I had disconnected my front turn signals. Any chance this could have an impact on brake lights?