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Topic: Brake Light Problem (Read 1881 times) previous topic - next topic

Brake Light Problem

During the last Cat Jam, my brake lights quit working. Bondocougar showed me the stoplight switch (the one that straddles the master cylinder pushrod) and pointed out that the wires fray easily and break. He put in some alligator clips as a temporary solution.

Well, last night the brake lights quit working again so I figured it was a good time to fix it permanently. Instead of messing with the female end of the connecter, I just cut it off and soldered some 14 gauge wires directly to the terminals, then to the wiring. I also took off the stoplight switch and cleaned the contact points with acetone.

Now, the problem is that the driver and middle brake lights activate, but for some reason the passenger side brake light will not work. The bulbs are fine, and they light up normally. Could this problem have started at the stoplight switch? I always thought they followed the same circuit back, so it doesn't make sense that only 2 of the 3 would work. Any help/advice/wiring diagrams would be appreciated!
1984 Cougar Convertible
1988 Cougar XR-7

Re: Brake Light Problem

Reply #1 –
Might seem silly but when I had to fix my wires, I had acidentally hit the turn signal stalk and when ever i hit the brake pedal the one side that was engaged by the turn signal would light up. Might not be the prob, but never hurts to check.
Temporarily Foxless? Ride the Bull...

Re: Brake Light Problem

Reply #2 –
Quote from: nirvanagod
Might seem silly but when I had to fix my wires, I had acidentally hit the turn signal stalk and when ever i hit the brake pedal the one side that was engaged by the turn signal would light up. Might not be the prob, but never hurts to check.


Just ran ouside and checked - yep, that's exactly what happened  :brick:

Man. I was getting so frustrated I tore out the front seat so I could get all wedged up under there.  :mad:  :slap:
1984 Cougar Convertible
1988 Cougar XR-7

Re: Brake Light Problem

Reply #3 –
Quote from: 4thqtr
Just ran ouside and checked - yep, that's exactly what happened  :brick:


I've so been there! It took me like 2 hours to figure it out when it happened to me. So don't feel bad, it's usually the easy/stupid thing that you think you didn't do!
Temporarily Foxless? Ride the Bull...
 

Re: Brake Light Problem

Reply #4 –
Quote from: nirvanagod
Might seem silly but when I had to fix my wires, I had acidentally hit the turn signal stalk and when ever i hit the brake pedal the one side that was engaged by the turn signal would light up. Might not be the prob, but never hurts to check.


Thats good info !!!! While I've never had a problem with the brake light wiring or SW, that little fu-fu was just waiting to bite me in the ass!!!!