Brake light problem

[burningdog]

:newb:I hope you all can help - I am not a mechanical whiz, but wanting to try and learn how to fix this stuff.

1968 Barracuda Vert. Rear taillights don't show any braking, but do show turn signal.

I don't know if it is related, but a little while before this problem, I would notice that at times, after I parked and got out, that the brake tail lights would be on, and I would need to get into the car and tap the brakes to get them to go out.

Suggestions?

 

[67Dart273]

Easy. Your brake lights feed through the turn signal. That's how it turns off one brake light and flashes when that side turn is selected.

So the problem is..........

either the brake light switch is not getting power

or the brake light switch is bad,

or the signal switch is bad

So get your light/ meter and probe the switch, up under the dash near the brake pedal. Probe the connections, one should be hot and the other cold. When you depress the pedal, BOTH should be hot. Then move to the turn signal connector "just to be sure." Check that you have brake light power going into the signal switch with pedal depressed

If you do, it's the column switch

If you get power to the brake switch but nothing out, it's a bad brake switch.

You have a shop manual?

This is the closest on this site, does not cover the dash/ cluster differences for Barracuda, but the rest of the car is substantially the same, although '69. Go thank AbodyJoe:

[ame]http://www.abodyjoe.com/pictures/Misc.%20car%20info/69%20dodge%20service%20manual.pdf[/ame]

Here are somewhat useful but not always complete diagrams from MyMopar

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=31

Two diagrams:

http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1968/68BarracudaA.jpg

http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1968/68BarracudaB.jpg

On diagram "B" above find "stoplight switch" along the left side of the page. Note that a pink goes from the emergency flasher to one side of the stoplight switch. This is a junction point and feeds power to the switch.

When the switch is made, power goes out on the white off the left of the page to diagram "A" and goes over to pin "6" of the turn signal switch connector. Note that there are TWO white wires, but only one goes to a "corner" terminal, which is the one you want to check

If you have power there with pedal down, and no stoplights, it's a bad signal switch.

 

[BillGrissom]

Since tapping on the brakes makes the light go out, it sounds like the brake pedal switch is the prime suspect. It has a simple adjustment (screw and slot). I would consider replacing it, since it not only stays on but sometimes won't turn on. Is your brake pedal unusually stiff? If so, it might not move enough to allow actuating the switch reliably? Did you change to a master cylinder with a bigger bore, or such?

 

[cannucky]

careful with the replacement there are some real crappy units out there , I went through three of them doing mine the first two both puked there guts out on the floor after a week or so of use because they are pressed in and held by friction instead of a crimp or lock tabs , the other thing you might find if the other two switch's don't fix the problem it might be the headlight switch -unfortunately .

 

[67Dart273]

if the other two switch's don't fix the problem it might be the headlight switch -unfortunately .

The headlight switch has nothing to do with signals or brake lights.

 

[cannucky]

The headlight switch has nothing to do with signals or brake lights.[/QUOTE
I will have to check the wiring diagram to see which leads but the column connector for the turn signal switch is also wired to the headlight switch , I believe it is for running/parking lights but I know after several years of chasing my intermittent brake light problems through changing bulbs and switchs and wiring it finally stayed fixed after I changed the headlight switch .

 

[67Dart273]

The only thing in the column that would have to do with the light switch is dash light power going to a column mount shift indicator, or, "I'd have to look" might be tied into the later models key switch warning buzzer MOS (That's like POS, LOL, except it's a Mess)