Brake light troubleshooting help

[toddz69]

I was messing around with the lights again this weekend and couldn't get things to be very repeatable but decided to follow Viper and other's suggestion to check the turn signal switch.

My switch is a GM unit in a Flaming River column with some slop because some folks have yanked on pretty hard over the years because they thought it was for the tilt function . So I fiddled around with the switch tonight and sure enough I could get the lights to go out when the switch was in a few areas of its travel. So I'm guessing that's at least part of my problem.

I'll replace the switch and report back.

Thanks for all the help so far!

Todd Z.

 

[toddz69]

One step forward - two steps back. Got the new Flaming River switch and installed it in the column today (that was a lot of fun!). Temporarily have the column back in and hooked up the plug underneath.

I nowhave brake lights even when I jiggle the turn signal switch a bit so that problem seems to be solved.

But....now I have two problems I didn't have before. One, my turn signals don't work....and two, the turn signal indicator lights come on when I press on the brakes. Sheesh! I double-checked my wiring -it's all together exactly as it was before and should be.

Could a bad flasher cause these issues? I don't think so but now I'm stumped on my new problems.

Thanks for any help!

Todd Z.

UPDATE: my Flaming River column has a hazard switch on it that I don't use. It was pushed in - pulled it out and the problem with the turn signal indicators illuminating when the brake pedal is depressed went away. First problem solved. I did some swapping back and forth between the hazard and turn signal flashers and it appears that I may have a bad flasher unit. So I'll change that out and see if if fixes it for good.

 

[DirtDonk]

One step forward - two steps back.

Well, if we didn't already know you were working on a Bronco, then that statement would confirm our suspicions!

Paul

 

[toddz69]

Well, if we didn't already know you were working on a Bronco, then that statement would confirm our suspicions!

Paul

Yeah, ain't that the truth! I did fix the turn signal problem by replacing the flasher so that problem is fixed too. I did find it interesting when looking at the two flashers that one was a fairly modern one (that I replaced in the past 10 years, I'm guessing) and one was a pretty ancient looking one that is very, very old. The ancient looking one (Made in the USA) is still clicking - the modern one (not made in USA) is the one that failed. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Todd Z.

 

[Rustytruck]

Never work on a Bronco on sunday. It just doesnt pay off bad things befall you.

 

[toddz69]

Never work on a Bronco on sunday. It just doesnt pay off bad things befall you.

I try not to - and didn't work on my Bronco on the Lord's day this week. But I did work on the racer and now the p/s pump leaks....

Todd Z.

 

[Rustytruck]

sorry to hear that hope it isnt too tough a repair. Maybe the racer feeling neglected and needing a little love. at least you weren't in the starting lineup.

 

[ngsd]

I try not to - and didn't work on my Bronco on the Lord's day this week. But I did work on the racer and now the p/s pump leaks....

Todd Z.

At least that one is a cheap and easy fix. The wiring is always a chase.