Turn signals and brake lights! HELP!

Hi from Tampa,

My 65 Skylark has had too many hands messing with stuff over the last 50 years, and now it's got no turn signals or brake lights. I replaced the rear harness, but that didn't help. It didn't hurt either, but still no brake lights or signals.

Next I replaced the dash harness, $475 on sale from YearOne. It installed relatively easily, considering I was flat on my back for 3 hours with insulation falling in my eyes! That harness also did not solve the problem. So here is my question:



*Could my issue be the fault of the turn signal switch? It too has been tinkered with, so I wonder if it's bad and causing the problems.

Thanks for any help, I do appreciate it!

Rich

 

First thing to do is get a Shop Manual . Instead of replacing parts try to find what the the problem is . i.e. , No power at the fuse or what ever.

I'm not trying to sound mean its just that you have to troubleshoot the basics first before spending a lot of time and throwing a lot of money at a problem.

 

Thanks Lou, already did all that troubleshooting before replacing parts. The harnesses solved other issues, but didn't solve the signals or brake lights. And changing 50-year-old wiring didn't seem capricious to me.

 

To answer your original question about maybe the turn signal switch being a problem, YES. The brake and turn signal lights go through the turn signal switch and the switch being bad could definitely cause your problem. Been there.
I am not saying it definitely is the problem, just that it could be your problem.

Mike

 

I agree that the first thing on the list of culprits would be the switch. Next, I'd check to make certain the grounds are good.

 

Thanks Mike for your helpful and courteous response to my question. Let me ask you this...where is the signal flasher located? I replaced the dash harness, and the only remaining dangling plug is on the far left...everything else is accounted for. BUT, the plug isn't configured to accept the blades of the signal flasher, they're different from one another.

Perhaps I have the incorrect signal flasher?

Thanks again,

Rich

 

Upper right corner of the fuse block. It's your basic 12V flasher with the prongs 90 degrees to each other.

I kept blowing fuses on the brake/TS/backup light circuit until I found that the BU light connector under the dash was grounding itself on the line for the oil pressure gauge.

 

Did you check the ribbon cable that runs under the carpet?

 

Yep, fuse block for flasher.

 

THANK YOU GENTLEMEN FOR YOUR HELP. I felt silly not knowing where the flasher went, but I've had so many Fords and Mopars and foreign cars, and it's been 35 years since I've owned a GM. Anyhow, the flasher restored the turn signals, but the brake lights are still not working. ou:

I have juice at the brake light switch, but I can't get the juice to the brake terminals in the ribbon harness back at the trunk. So, it seems that the only thing standing between the brake switch and the ribbon connector at the trunk in the turn signal switch. Otherwise all other electrical impulses running along the ribbon are working OK.

Regarding grounding: if the sockets at the rear are grounded so as to allow the running lights to work, then the assumption would be that the sockets are sufficiently grounded to allow the brake lights to work too, right? That is, both filaments would use the same ground of course.

Please correct me if I'm wrong. Sounds like the turn signal switch is operating the signals, but not the brake lights.

Thanks again fellas,

Rich

 

I'm curious if you're stepping on the brake pedal with the engine off?? Both my 65 Gran Sports required the engine running, or the key in the on position for the brake lights to work. Not sure if that was correct, but as long as they worked while driving, it never concerned me.

 

Thanks Mr. T,

Yes, every test I've done has been with key in the ON position, and I might even have started the engine to test...I've almost forgotten what I've done! But tomorrow I plan to work through the turn signal switch and check for any shaky previous work, or loose connections. I'll check with the engine running as I go through my troubleshooting. If I recall, the brakes would work without the key being on or the engine running, but I could be remembering some of those Fords and Dodges!

Thanks again T, Rich in Tampa

 

Our '65 Skylark brake lights work with the key off. Our '62 LeSabre requires the key to be on.

 

Sorry guys, I really hate to have to say, my 65 is the same, the brake lights won't work with the key off.
The timing of this is funny. I had the convert out for a ride Friday and stopped at Autozone to get something. The delivery boy was heading to the truck to go for a run and he tells me I have some brake lights out. When I get home I check but had to turn the key on to get anything. Turns out my 4 brake lights are fine and the delivery guy thought all 6 positions should be lit.
Maybe some do and some don't, I can't say. But mine has not been messed with much, pretty original.

Mike

 

Hi Rich, Thanks for the reply to my thread. In regard to your brake light issue, the ignition switch must be on for the brake lights to work on my car. (64 Skylark)
I am wondering if you have a ground issue at the bulb. My brake lights are intermittent for this reason. The bulb holder does not ground well at the housing
and a bit of scraping and twisting of the socket usually solves the problem. I hope this is helpful! James Q

 

As far as I'm aware, only the outer two light bulbs on each side work as brake/running lights. The innermost ones are just along for the ride.

 

I would check your brake light switch. I had a similar problem with no brake lights and a new brake light switch fixed the problem.

 

I stand corrected. Both cars require the key on for brake lamps.