C1 Brake Lights

[David Lyon]

As stated below, I'm back after not being able to access this site. I had posted a problem with my brake lights a week or so ago. I have tail lights, signal lights, except the left needs to have the signal handle moved up and down, license plate lights and all lights in the front, plus the courtesy light. I have taken out the tail lights and checked for bare metal grounding, cleaned the two grounds to the frame, changed the bulbs, bought two new stwiches, both have power in and power out when the plunger is extended, and tried a separate ground wire from the tail lights to the frame. Still no brake lights. The tail lights are repop's if that makes a difference. I have been told it might be in the signal light switch in the steering column. Before I began the restoration a number of years ago, the brake lights worked. I would like to drive it legally before I put into storage in 6 weeks - I live in Northern Maine. Help again!

David

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C1 Brake Lights

Turn signal switch bad or the switch isn't returning to center. If the switch is far enough of center, it will cause both brake lights to fail. Usually, it's just one. However, if you have power out of the brake switch and your turn signals work, failure has to occur in the t/s switch. It is the common part of the circuit.

[David Lyon]

Re: C1 Brake Lights

Ed,

Sure is great getting back to the people who know. I will plan to replace the signal light switch. Is this the same as the t/s switch you speak of? I'm pretty green on this operation, so any help/pointers would be appreciated. While I'm in there, what else should I replace? I doubt anything has been replaced since new. I've owned the car since 1981. Might as well do the whole nine yards.

Thanks again,

David

[Larry P.]

Re: C1 Brake Lights

David,
Have you tried a differant flasher? I had a variety of differant problems with a new flasher until I replaced it with another one.
LP

[David Lyon]

Re: C1 Brake Lights

Larry,

The '58 has a completely new wiring harness from Lectric Limited. It included a new flasher. Guess I could try a different one.

Thanks,

David

[Terry D.]

Re: C1 Brake Lights

Agree with Ed, check out the turn signal (t/s) switch.
Terry

[David Lyon]

Re: C1 Brake Lights

Thanks Terry! As mentioned in response to Ed, anything else I should change while I'm at it?

David

[John H.]

Re: C1 Brake Lights

More likely it's the mechanical cancelling mechanism for the turn signals, not the switch itself; when the cancel doesn't self-center exactly after a turn, you lose one or both brake lights (and you indicated that you get brake lights back when you fiddle with the turn signal lever). Pull the steering wheel and carefully clean and lubricate all the moving parts in the cancelling mechanism (which get encrusted with dust, crud, and solidified old lube), and that should take care of it. VERY common C1 problem.

[David Lyon]

Re: C1 Brake Lights

John,

Thanks for the feedback. I have regular signal lights on the right side that flash. The left side I have to move the lever up and down to make it flash. I have no brake lights either side. Tail lights work on both sides. So I do have signal lights on both sides one way or the other.

David

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C1 Brake Lights

The condition you describe makes the t/s switch very suspect. As John Hinkley mentions, the mechanism MUST return to the neutral position in order for the brake lights to work. However, it is unusual, but not impossible for the neutral position to affect both brake lights. It has to be really out of bounds for this to happen. You can check this out by manually positioning the switch and checking for brake lights. If there is still a problem, it is most likely the switch itself. It is cheap (relatively) and easy to change.

[Larry P.]

Re: C1 Brake Lights

David,
I also purchased all new wiring for entire car from Lectric Limited,including flasher.
It worked fine at first, then one side worked not other. I switched bulbs,
and erratic things happened. It's all about resistance. I purchased a new flasher from local Autozone and all problems went away.
LP

[David Lyon]

Re: C1 Brake Lights

Thanks Ed!

[David Lyon]

Re: C1 Brake Lights

Thanks again, Larry!