Brake lights not turning on ! Could be an easy fix ?

[rustydustyD4rt]

Hey guys so this 75 dodge dart swinger that I have is kinda a pain. (Or maybe I’m not looking right) anyway I replaced the whole turn signal system from removing the steering wheel to replacing it and connecting it back again, I also (from my advice given from my autoshop instructor at HS,) replaced the buzz flasher and it works great ! But my brake lights don’t work. Im guessing that there’s something wrong with the brake light switch or maybe the fuses ? But I replaced most of the fuses maybe some or one that’s failing a specific one, might just be the problem but I tested the positive red cable terminal to the bros e switch and it has power im guessing the other terminal (white cable) is something else but connected aswell. That one doesn’t have power. Maybe it’s that white one ? What else should I be looking for if not, do I replace the switch ? Or do I need another / different buzzer ? I’m in a need of y’all’s help and could also provide pics but I’m eager cause I need to get this thing by the road by may to register it (damn CA)

 

[RustyRatRod]

What's a bros e switch? You need to go over to mymopar.com and download for free a factory service manual that will have a factory wiring diagram in it and may answer a lot of your questions. You will need a test light and a volt ohmmeter as well as some diagnostic skills.

 

[rustydustyD4rt]

What's a bros e switch? You need to go over to mymopar.com and download for free a factory service manual that will have a factory wiring diagram in it and may answer a lot of your questions. You will need a test light and a volt ohmmeter as well as some diagnostic skills.

Thanks man I’ve been trying to find a diagram of such I’ll use my tools as I have done before and will follow through with the diagram I’ll check in afterwards

 

[Dana67Dart]

Another good wiring resource is classiccarwiring.com color coded wiring diagrams.

Something that is not obvious but our cars have 2 flashers.

1 is for the emergency flashers and 1 is for the turn signals.

Sometimes when the turn signal connector is mated to its matching connector the terminals can push out enough to not make contact.

Also I have heard some aftermarket turn signal replacements have a wire color or 2 swapped.

So comparing your old switch to the new switch wire by wire and where it's connected might help.

Lastly the brake switch is mounted to a bracket that has a bolt accessible from the passenger side of the steering column. That bolt will allow you to adjust the switches location.


Also you should Google "Chrysler master tech video" and a word like "gauges" or "voltage regulator" the resulting videos are corny but very informative.

I forgot to ask...

Do your e flashers work?

Turn signals?

Tail lights?

 

[67Dart273]

Go to mymopar.com and download a free service manual. You may have to settle for Dodge vs Plymouth, etc.

The brake switch feeds TO the turn signal switch when the pedal is pressed. If the TS switch is centered, it routes brake light power to both sides. If you are turning, it routes flasher (not buzzer) power to the side on which you are turning, and routes brake light power to the opposite rear lamp.

Test the brake switch, easy, with either a multimeter or test lamp. Access the connector under the dash on the brake switch, ground your light/ meter, and put the remaining probe on the pink? at the switch. You should have power. Put your probe on the white at the switch. When you press the pedal, you should have power.

Next go access the TS switch connector coming out of the column. You may have to remove the short trim panel under the steering column. Access the white wire on the connector, and again, make certain that with brake pedal pressed, you do have power

If that test is good, and the turn signals work, then you need a new TS switch

 

[rustydustyD4rt]

Another good wiring resource is classiccarwiring.com color coded wiring diagrams.

Something that is not obvious but our cars have 2 flashers.

1 is for the emergency flashers and 1 is for the turn signals.

Sometimes when the turn signal connector is mated to its matching connector the terminals can push out enough to not make contact.

Also I have heard some aftermarket turn signal replacements have a wire color or 2 swapped.

So comparing your old switch to the new switch wire by wire and where it's connected might help.

Lastly the brake switch is mounted to a bracket that has a bolt accessible from the passenger side of the steering column. That bolt will allow you to adjust the switches location.


Also you should Google "Chrysler master tech video" and a word like "gauges" or "voltage regulator" the resulting videos are corny but very informative.

I forgot to ask...

Do your e flashers work?

Turn signals?

Tail lights?

Thank you a lot these sources should give me another pointer

Yeah my dart has 2 flashers but I’m sorta confused because I replaced a 2 terminal flasher that was a buzzer and both the turn signals and hazards turn on under that one flasher
The second one is rotted (being a northwestern state rusted) the water gets inside and ruined those 2 but the 2nd one is a 3 terminal and I have no idea what it does because I uninstalled it and it doesn’t change any of the lights. As mentioned there’s 2 but both of the functions work under one…….?

The aftermarket turn signals do change their colors from like 1-2 of them but it’s pretty much plug and play and was easy to install. It’s giving me a horn issue aswell we’re I would connect the battery and the horn would blast without any contact. Probably cuz I don’t have the wheel installed ? Either way I disconnected the terminals off the horns for now

I removed the brake switch a while back and found that the position of it was jammed and stuck. Sort of in a position that was forever pressed against and never released (for sitting so long) I gave it some 40 and it works fine I even tested it with a multimeter at the school shop. Figuring it works, I would just install it back but it’s not working or turning any of the lights on

All my lights work except the brake lights. It’s the only thing I’m missing considering all the other lights were replaced their modules inside the car and not the lights themsevles. So I’m guessing the brake lights would work but as installing the brake light switch, it’s not turning them on possibly a terminal connection faulty?

Thank you for the videos and the links Il follow up

 

[rustydustyD4rt]

Go to mymopar.com and download a free service manual. You may have to settle for Dodge vs Plymouth, etc.

The brake switch feeds TO the turn signal switch when the pedal is pressed. If the TS switch is centered, it routes brake light power to both sides. If you are turning, it routes flasher (not buzzer) power to the side on which you are turning, and routes brake light power to the opposite rear lamp.

Test the brake switch, easy, with either a multimeter or test lamp. Access the connector under the dash on the brake switch, ground your light/ meter, and put the remaining probe on the pink? at the switch. You should have power. Put your probe on the white at the switch. When you press the pedal, you should have power.

Next go access the TS switch connector coming out of the column. You may have to remove the short trim panel under the steering column. Access the white wire on the connector, and again, make certain that with brake pedal pressed, you do have power

If that test is good, and the turn signals work, then you need a new TS switch

I’ve been needing to test this especially right before I need to install the one I already ordered or maybe just need to follow up what might be failing the TS switch. Thank you a lot I didn’t know there were so many other functions that the TS switch had towards positions and such

 

[Dubob]

The aftermarket turn signals do change their colors from like 1-2 of them but it’s pretty much plug and play and was easy to install

What type of aftermarket lights? LED’s? I installed digitails in my demon and went to an electronic flasher. I did have to swap the wires at the flasher due to the polarity of the LED’s. I don’t remember exactly all the issues but they did not operate correctly until I swapped. Point being they are polarity sensitive.

 

[niceolddart]

First thing I would do is make sure the brake light switch is depressed when the brake is OFF, pedal is in the all the way back at rest position. Check the wires going to the brake light switch with a test light. The key doesn't have to be on & 1 wire on the switch should have power all the time, the other wire should have power when the pedal/switch is activated, as in switch plunger is moving out (Getting longer) or pedal is depressed. If you have power going in & don't have power coming out when the pedal is pushed, the switch is bad. I don't think the flasher will have anything to do with the brake light operation.

 

[rustydustyD4rt]

What type of aftermarket lights? LED’s? I installed digitails in my demon and went to an electronic flasher. I did have to swap the wires at the flasher due to the polarity of the LED’s. I don’t remember exactly all the issues but they did not operate correctly until I swapped. Point being they are polarity sensitive.

My lights are stock but I do also plan to swap them for LED such because I feel like I would be much safer in the road with brighter ones on.
Thank you for the pointer

 

[rustydustyD4rt]

First thing I would do is make sure the brake light switch is depressed when the brake is OFF, pedal is in the all the way back at rest position. Check the wires going to the brake light switch with a test light. The key doesn't have to be on & 1 wire on the switch should have power all the time, the other wire should have power when the pedal/switch is activated, as in switch plunger is moving out (Getting longer) or pedal is depressed. If you have power going in & don't have power coming out when the pedal is pushed, the switch is bad. I don't think the flasher will have anything to do with the brake light operation.

I’ll give it a go with 1 wire connected and follow the procedure with the switch I also have a new switch on standby in case if it’s busted

 

[Dana67Dart]

. I don't think the flasher will have anything to do with the brake light operation

The flasher interrupts the brake lights power to make them flash. The turn signal flasher interrupts the brake lights to make one or the other flash.

If you have the e flashers on and press the brake the flashers stop flashing and the brake light bulbs are on steady.


That being said....

If the e flashers flash and the turn signals flash that showed the brake light bulbs function correctly and the only thing left is the brake light switch AND the related wiring.

 

[Dana67Dart]

I’ve been needing to test this especially right before I need to install the one I already ordered or maybe just need to follow up what might be failing the TS switch. Thank you a lot I didn’t know there were so many other functions that the TS switch had towards positions and such

BTW you can jumper between the 2 wires attached to the brake light switch and the brake lights should light.

The brake light switch brakes the connection when the brake pedal is in the up position, the switch is depressed.

When you press the brake pedal the plunger on the switch comes out and makes the connection between the two wires passing power to the brake light bulbs