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Old 03-15-2015, 05:32 PM   #1
CheaterBobber
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Default Brake switch help

Appreciate any help you guys could provide. Got new original style brake switch for the 31. Rewriting everything, brought new wires from taillight to rear post of switch. Ran another wire to driver side post of firewall junction box. No longer have wiring on steering shaft. Can I run front post of switch to junction box or different location? Any help or direction would be great.

Thanks!
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Old 03-15-2015, 05:49 PM   #2
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Default Re: Brake switch help

my trk is temp wired till spring(thanks to Purdy)brake switch is getting juice from starter post. tom
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Old 03-15-2015, 06:18 PM   #3
Patrick L.
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Default Re: Brake switch help

The brake switch is actually fed from the battery section [ grn wire] of the light switch.
But, as long as there are no turn signals being used in conjunction with the brake lites, the switch can be fed by any hot/powered wire.

Try to post wiring diagram, didn't work did it.

Last edited by Patrick L.; 03-15-2015 at 06:27 PM.
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Old 03-15-2015, 06:46 PM   #4
CheaterBobber
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Default Re: Brake switch help

Have diagram. That's why ran to junction. Neither junction or starter post yielding any results. New switch and bulbs. Have green and white wire from light housing. Ran both to rear post of switch.
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Old 03-15-2015, 07:16 PM   #5
Mitch//pa
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Default Re: Brake switch help

Ck things with a test light to see what's going on.
Make sure your ground is good at the tailight housing

Power to switch
Power through switch when brake pedal is depressed
Power to bulb socket
Good ground

Last edited by Mitch//pa; 03-15-2015 at 07:27 PM.
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Old 03-15-2015, 07:28 PM   #6
Patrick L.
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Default Re: Brake switch help

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Don't know what results or getting or what you want, you seemed to have forgotten to mention it.

If all you want is to get the brake lights to work, its nothing more than running power to the switch and then to the lites.
So, where are you losing the power ? Or, where do you have power ? If you have power where you need it, but, no lites, then you probably have a bad ground or two.
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Old 03-15-2015, 07:39 PM   #7
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Default Re: Brake switch help

Trying to get brake light to work.

Have power to ignition and starter. Ran wire from switch to starter post. Ran both wires from taillight merged into one and connected to brake switch post. Still no taillight.
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Old 03-15-2015, 07:44 PM   #8
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Default Re: Brake switch help

Quote:
Originally Posted by CheaterBobber View Post
Trying to get brake light to work.

Have power to ignition and starter. Ran wire from switch to starter post. Ran both wires from taillight merged into one and connected to brake switch post. Still no taillight.




but, no lites, then you probably have a bad ground or two.
end quote.


That is if you actually have power thru the switch and bulbs. When doing electric work, a test light or voltmeter is needed.
No one can help until we have some answers to our questions.
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Old 03-15-2015, 09:57 PM   #9
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Default Re: Brake switch help

Quote:
Originally Posted by CheaterBobber View Post
Trying to get brake light to work.

Have power to ignition and starter. Ran wire from switch to starter post. Ran both wires from taillight merged into one and connected to brake switch post. Still no taillight.
Are we talking about Tail Lights or Stop lights??
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Old 03-15-2015, 10:11 PM   #10
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Default Re: Brake switch help

You should not have two wires from the tail light merged to the brake switch post. One wire should be for the brake light and one for the tail light.
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Old 03-15-2015, 10:49 PM   #11
Mike V. Florida
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Default Re: Brake switch help

It appears to me that this is not a stock install since you state, " No longer have wiring on steering shaft." The original wiring had power to the switch all the time. Basically from the battery to the switch, to the bulb, to ground at the tail light.

Not knowing how yours is truly wired I can't give much more help then that.
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Old 03-16-2015, 07:44 AM   #12
Patrick L.
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Default Re: Brake switch help

Quote:
Originally Posted by CheaterBobber View Post
Trying to get brake light to work.

Have power to ignition and starter. Ran wire from switch to starter post. Ran both wires from taillight merged into one and connected to brake switch post. Still no taillight.



Taillight ?

Again, apparent lack of communication.
Taillights don't go thru the brake switch. That is, unless you only want taillights when your foot is on the brake pedal.

So, I guess I would suggest, since you say you have the wiring diagram, is to wire this exactly as the wiring diagram shows.
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Old 03-16-2015, 10:55 AM   #13
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Default Re: Brake switch help

You need one wire from headlight switch to tail light and one wire from the brake light switch to the brake light and a GOOD ground at the light. I rewired mine and had intermittent lights.. found the ground to be poor, Fixed that and now have good working lights.
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Old 03-16-2015, 11:25 AM   #14
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Default Re: Brake switch help

post #7 trying to get the brake light to work;;;

lol
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Old 03-16-2015, 11:45 AM   #15
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Default Re: Brake switch help

Do you have power to the "in" side of the brake light switch?

If yes, do you have power to the other side of the brake light switch WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED?

If yes, do you have power to the far side of the wire going back to the stop light - again WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED?

Simple volt meter or even a known good light bulb with leads will assist you in determining this.
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Old 03-16-2015, 11:58 AM   #16
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Default Re: Brake switch help

A test light should be in everyone's tool box. It's the simplest diagnostic tool for electrical problems. Always start by connecting the test light to the battery or known good power wire to be sure the bulb is good, then go to work tracing where the power drops off.
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