Funky lights!!!

[Oldtimer]

. . . . everything works minus brake lights. I do have power in the wire leaving the brake switch, . . .

You stated that everything (turn signal & E-flasher) is working except the brake lights.
Turn signal and E-flasher signals go thru turn signal switch, so turn signal switch is working.

Check the red/black stripe wires with a test light, where they enter the back of the main harness connector for turn signal switch.
If you turn on emergency flashers, test light should blink.
If you step on brake pedal test light should be steady on.
If not steady on, check wire from here to brake pedal switch, and connector at brake pedal switch.

 

[triracer67]

Sorry, reattackimg brake lights after doing other projects. Swapped flasher switch, brake switch, and flasher attached to flasher switch. Still no brake lights. But, when flasher switch is pulled, my front parking lights come on when brake is depressed. All lights work normally, even license plate light. Blinkers work good, flashers don’t work. Wiring under dash looks very stick, but I’m getting out wire tester to check to see if I can figure out what is going on??? Double checked breakers and they are fine. Also, what is the correct flasher, what are the specs so I can pick up a spare to swap…

 

[triracer67]

You stated that everything (turn signal & E-flasher) is working except the brake lights.
Turn signal and E-flasher signals go thru turn signal switch, so turn signal switch is working.

Check the red/black stripe wires with a test light, where they enter the back of the main harness connector for turn signal switch.
If you turn on emergency flashers, test light should blink.
If you step on brake pedal test light should be steady on.
If not steady on, check wire from here to brake pedal switch, and connector at brake pedal switch.

View attachment 934140

I have brake power coming out of this connector with brake depressed

 

[Oldtimer]

You have brake light all the way to connector at steering column. The rear turn signals & flashers work so you have good blinkers and wires from steering column to back of Bronco.
I suspect the turn signal switch or the brake wire between turn signal switch and connector at bottom of steering column. You need to pull switch to check wire, so you might as well replace switch.

 

[triracer67]

A few things that are really weird. Flashers don’t work when pulled, I have to turn blinker on. Front parking lights come on when flasher switch is pulled, and brake depressed. If I pull flasher switch, actuate blinker, and depress brake, brake light on that side is on. Again, flashers, brake switch, and flasher switch are new, but function same as original pieces that I swapped. Is it blinker switch? Or could the plugs that divide the power to front and rear be swapped? Where are those connections?

 

[triracer67]

You have brake light all the way to connector at steering column. The rear turn signals & flashers work so you have good blinkers and wires from steering column to back of Bronco.
I suspect the turn signal switch or the brake wire between turn signal switch and connector at bottom of steering column. You need to pull switch to check wire, so you might as well replace

13th bronco and no idea where the turn signal switch is located? Is it in the column?

 

[Oldtimer]

Turn signal switch is at top of steering column, behind steering wheel.
After re-reading thread (sitting for years), you may have ground issues. Pull lamp assemblies, clean mounting surfaces, and re-install.

 

[DirtDonk]

Sounds an awful lot like something is miswired.
Doesn’t sound like you did any actual wiring changes, so perhaps the replacement flasher switch is defective. Certainly wouldn’t be the first time that an electrical component was bad right out of the box.
Flasher switches aren’t known for being one of the worst offenders, but nothing is immune from the crappy parts problem these days.

Another thing to do with any old vehicle that’s been sitting, is to remove all the fuses. Clean the contact points on both the fuses and the fuse panel. Then put them back in.
Maybe even put a light coating of electric grease, or even di-electric grease to keep anything from crossing over that shouldn’t.

And with Broncos specifically, disconnect both of the rectangular firewall connectors and clean up those contacts as well. Wire brush, whatever.
Inspect them for rust and corrosion and loose wires. Then a little dielectric grease and reinstall them.
If in doubt, pull the fuse panel off the firewall while you are doing this because they are notoriously nasty behind them. That’s why FORD changed to the glove box mounted the fuse panel in 71.
There was just a discussion about this a week or two ago, where one member’s fuse panel had a wire broken off.

And if you haven’t already, pull the connector off the high beam switch on the floor. Clean up the contacts on that and make sure that it’s working.

Do at least most of this with the battery disconnected of course.

 

[DirtDonk]

And here’s another Must-Do at this point. Make sure you still have a ground from the battery to the body. Then add one from the engine to the firewall.
Then add another one from a convenient body panel near the ground wire, to the radiator core support. This makes sure that your front running lights, turn signals, and headlights all have a sufficient ground.

If you haven’t already, remove all the bulbs and clean their contacts. Inspect the contact points inside the sockets and make sure they’re clean, corrosion free, and straight.

A bronco that has been sitting, especially one as old as yours, has likely developed rust issues between the body panels. To the point that they no longer transfer electrons as efficiently as they used to.