Brake light problem

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

74propu

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2015
Posts
687
Reaction score
242
Location
florida
First Name
austin
Truck Year
1974 1980 1986
Truck Model
c10s/b c10 s/b c10l/b
Engine Size
5.3 / ?/454 tbi
Orange wire is + 12 volt to brake light switch . White is hot after brake light switch to turn signal switch where the brake lights are canceled for the left side when the left hand turn signal is activated and the same for the right side . so if all the 4 ways and turn signals work but no brake light on one side then the turn signal switch is bad. you can test this by getting a new one and just plug it in and see if the brake lights work before you take the steering column apart/
 

Scooby3242

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2017
Posts
12
Reaction score
2
Location
Bedford, Texas
First Name
Jim
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
c10
Engine Size
350
Orange wire is + 12 volt to brake light switch . White is hot after brake light switch to turn signal switch where the brake lights are canceled for the left side when the left hand turn signal is activated and the same for the right side . so if all the 4 ways and turn signals work but no brake light on one side then the turn signal switch is bad. you can test this by getting a new one and just plug it in and see if the brake lights work before you take the steering column apart/
Ok I’ll try that thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

smoothandlow84

I'd rather be draggin' frame
Joined
Jan 4, 2015
Posts
2,121
Reaction score
790
Location
Arizona
First Name
Steve
Truck Year
1984 Frame...87 motor and 700r trans
Truck Model
1500 r10 pavement scraper
Engine Size
350 TBI
Sometimes the turn signal stalk malfunctions (doesn't return to neutral position after making a turn) and will also cause the brake lights to malfunction. They are both part of the same circuit. Bad grounds are a good place to start regardless.
 

Scooby3242

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2017
Posts
12
Reaction score
2
Location
Bedford, Texas
First Name
Jim
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
c10
Engine Size
350
Ok I will try all the options tomorrow


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Scooby3242

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2017
Posts
12
Reaction score
2
Location
Bedford, Texas
First Name
Jim
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
c10
Engine Size
350
I finally got around to looking at my brake light problem, it was a bad turn signal switch, I changed it out and everything works, thanks for the help.
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,828
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
I finally got around to looking at my brake light problem, it was a bad turn signal switch, I changed it out and everything works, thanks for the help.
Cool thanks for the update.:waytogo:
 

smoothandlow84

I'd rather be draggin' frame
Joined
Jan 4, 2015
Posts
2,121
Reaction score
790
Location
Arizona
First Name
Steve
Truck Year
1984 Frame...87 motor and 700r trans
Truck Model
1500 r10 pavement scraper
Engine Size
350 TBI
I finally got around to looking at my brake light problem, it was a bad turn signal switch, I changed it out and everything works, thanks for the help.
That is the problem with mine...bad turn signal switch. My switch is worn on the inside of the column....Ijust have been too busy to tear down the column. By the looks of business, next year is gonna be busier....uuugh.
 

Scooby3242

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2017
Posts
12
Reaction score
2
Location
Bedford, Texas
First Name
Jim
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
c10
Engine Size
350
It was really easy after borrowing the steering wheel pulller and locking plate remover from autozone. The easiest way I found was to tape a wire to the end of the plug part and tape the prongs so they don’t get caught pulling it up through the steering wheel the tie the wire on the new one and pull it back through, took about 10 minutes but my column doesn’t have tilt or cruise so not sure if it will be harder


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

74propu

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2015
Posts
687
Reaction score
242
Location
florida
First Name
austin
Truck Year
1974 1980 1986
Truck Model
c10s/b c10 s/b c10l/b
Engine Size
5.3 / ?/454 tbi
I finally got around to looking at my brake light problem, it was a bad turn signal switch, I changed it out and everything works, thanks for the help.
I am happy you have them working again. I have had the same problem a few times .the way you described the systems I had the feeling the switch had gone bat ****.:happy107:
 

smoothandlow84

I'd rather be draggin' frame
Joined
Jan 4, 2015
Posts
2,121
Reaction score
790
Location
Arizona
First Name
Steve
Truck Year
1984 Frame...87 motor and 700r trans
Truck Model
1500 r10 pavement scraper
Engine Size
350 TBI
Uuugh. I have tilt AND cruise...sounds like it's not gonna be easy
 

74propu

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2015
Posts
687
Reaction score
242
Location
florida
First Name
austin
Truck Year
1974 1980 1986
Truck Model
c10s/b c10 s/b c10l/b
Engine Size
5.3 / ?/454 tbi
Same way tape a string to plug pull it out then retape it to the new plug and pull it back in with the column straight
 

smoothandlow84

I'd rather be draggin' frame
Joined
Jan 4, 2015
Posts
2,121
Reaction score
790
Location
Arizona
First Name
Steve
Truck Year
1984 Frame...87 motor and 700r trans
Truck Model
1500 r10 pavement scraper
Engine Size
350 TBI
My problem is not with the wire connector, its the actual clicking return to neutral mechanism. The mechanism is so worn that the turn signal will not return to the neutral position after completing any left turn
 

74propu

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2015
Posts
687
Reaction score
242
Location
florida
First Name
austin
Truck Year
1974 1980 1986
Truck Model
c10s/b c10 s/b c10l/b
Engine Size
5.3 / ?/454 tbi
My problem is not with the wire connector, its the actual clicking return to neutral mechanism. The mechanism is so worn that the turn signal will not return to the neutral position after completing any left turn
ok it could be a easy fix 1 the little cancel spring could be broke or missing .2) the cancel cam could be wore the frick out . take it apart both parts can be bought at any auto parts store.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,172
Posts
950,816
Members
36,287
Latest member
goodwrenchca
Top