C1 Lights don't work

[Norm DiChiara]

The rear driving, brake and license plate lights don't work as well as my dash and curtosy lights. Blinkers, headlights and front driving lights work as they are supposed to. I was directed toward replacing the Light Switch since each of those circuits pass through it. I replaced the switch without any success. I have traced and checked every connection I could and have spent endless hours testing circuits and checking gounds without much success. Finally, in the light switch itself, I bridged the red wire to the orange wire/terminal and now everything works as it is supposed to be. It does the same with both of the switches so that would lead me to believe that the switch is not the problem but something else is the culpret. I could jury rig the switch now to make it work but I haven't located the problem and I am afraid by doing so, I could overload a circuit and wind up with more problems than I started with. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I might look next as I am out of ideas.

Lost without a clue!

Norm
Red '62

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C1 Lights don't work

The brake lights do not power off the HL switch, but are connected in parallel to the courtsey lights. You have powered up this circuit is a back door fashion by jumpering the orange wire to a power source. Let me have a little time to look at a wiring diagram and I'll see if I can provide an answer. The tail light circuit is not supposed to be related, but apparently it is somehow.

[William C.]

Re: C1 Lights don't work

I believe there is a fuse that controls the dash lights and the rear lamps. Check the fuse and it's connection to the terminals in the fuseblock. ve seen a little corrosion buildup at the fuse stop the system from working.

[Norm DiChiara]

Re: C1 Lights don't work

Bill;
I check the fuses and they all check out fine. I didn't remove the fuse block to see if there was any corrosion behind it but there is no corrosion on the fuse terminal themselves.

Norm

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C1 Lights don't work

Norm, All three of these circuits are powered by the top fuse on the fuse block. If you have voltage on both sides of the fuse, then either you have a bad connection in the fuse block itself or the orange wire is broken between the fuse block and the junction inside the wiring harness. It is more likely the former. I would remove the fuse block and clean and check all the connections. If worst comes to worst, one of the few repair parts available from Lectric Limited is the fuse block.

When you jumpered the red wire to the orange, you energized the circuit from the "back door". It will work like that, but it will create an excessive load on the "donor" circuit.

[Mike Nelson]

Re: C1 Lights don't work

The rear harness connects into the main harness near the driver door, behind the kick panel. There might be corrosion on those terminals. Worth a look.

[John H.]

Re: C1 Lights don't work

The wiring diagram indicates that the headlight switch (14-ga. red wire) is powered directly from the horn relay, external to the fuse block; that input is then connected directly (by the contacts inside the switch) at all times to the orange wire which feeds the brake switch and the courtesy lights (no fuse in the circuit), and also directly feeds the black wire (with no fuse) to the rear running and license lights and the violet wire to the front parking lights (no fuse) when the knob is pulled to the first detent. At the second detent (fully out), it also powers up the light blue wire to the dimmer switch, and disconnects power to the violet (front parking light) wire.

If jumpering externally from the red (power input) wire to the orange wire brings everything back to life, including the rear running lights with the knob pulled, I'd think either the internal switch contacts are defective (or it's the wrong switch).

[Norm DiChiara]

Re: C1 Lights don't work

Thanks for everyones input. I'm traveling for the next couple of days but when I get back I will pull both the fuse block and if that doesn't reveal anything, I will check the harness behind the kick panel. I'll let you know what I find out.

I appreciate your thoughts!!!

Regards....Norm

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C1 Lights don't work

Check the fuse panel first. I'm about 99% confident that you will find your problem in or around the fuse.

[John H.]

Re: C1 Lights don't work

Oops - I blew it; I misread the power bus in the fuse block - the orange wire is power INTO the headlight switch FROM the fuse block, not the other way around. As Ed noted below, it's probably the fuse or a bad/corroded connection on the bus to the fuse clip inside the fuse block

[Norm DiChiara]

Re: C1 Lights don't work

John and Ed:
As you both diagnosed, the terminal on the orange wire in the rear of the fuse block was corroded. Once fixed, everything worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't thank you guy enough!!!!

Regards....Norm