Rear blinker and brake light problem

[rdv350]

I am trying to run the through everything on my bronco to get it ready for inspection and I am having problems with my rear blinkers and brake lights. My front blinkers work fine and my taillights work fine. But my brake lights do not work on either side and only my right side rear blinker doesn't work. I don't think it is my grounds because the tail lights and reverse lights work. I checked the fuse under the dash that is good. After I did some reading on these forums I am thinking that it might be the turn signal switch causing both problems. Is there anything else I should check before I trying replacing the switch?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[wildbill]

If both brake lights are off look at the switch on the brake peddle as for the rest it could be the switch in the steering wheel as all comes from there good luck. Bill %) ;D

 

[Baja71]

With your foot on the brake and watching your brake lights, futz around with the turn signal switch lever. If the brake lights come on momentarily, replace your turn signal switch.

 

[Bronco70]

I was having same type of trouble did all the fun things, in the end found out it was a grounding problem add a ground strap near the brake lights and have not had a problem since.

Ron P.

 

[Pa PITT]

There are 2 of these treads out here at this time one for beakes and one for blinkers .........I say go over are your grounds 1st and even add new grounds ........My Bronco even starts better now that I added some ground on it not long back ...............

 

[rdv350]

I don't quite understand where and how you guys attach ground straps. Can someone explain that to me? The reason I don't think it is a ground issues is because my backup lights work fine, and they ground the same way as the blinkers correct?

 

[Bronco70]

I added a strap at the back of the Bronco to the frame and to the body panel that the lights ground to, at the front I took another strap 1" wide woven steel attached it to the frame and the negative side of the battery. The other thing is to clean the point that the taillight assemblies are grounded at 35 years in mine had made the spot a little rusty and not a good contact point.

Ron P.

 

[rdv350]

OK, I just got done messing around in the garage. I got the left side blinkers and brake lights to work. But I still can't get the right side lights to work. I switched wires so the right side lights would activate from the left blinker to verify the right side lights do work and they do. So this is what I have figured out so far:

Left side lights, brake lights blinkers front and rear work. On the left side tail lights work, front blinkers work, even the dashboard indicator light works, but the rear blinker and brake lights do not turn on. The bulbs are good, and the grounds are good. So I am pretty sure the only thing left it could be is the switch. Agree, or does anyone have another idea?

 

[Broncobowsher]

The brake lights go through the turn signal switch. These things have a wimpy turn signal switch that doesn't age well. While on the brakes, wiggle the turn signal switch. That can often get dead lights to flicker (back up to a garage doo or a window to see) If you can get the lights to start working, it's a bad turn signal switch.

Bad brake light switchs are also common. Don't forget to inspect the wires as well. The flex on ever brake pedal application. I see wires breaking off the terminals on everything, even up into the late 90's models they still do it.