Electrical issue

[JoeMarine]

You all have been pretty helpful. I'll give it a shot Wednesday after work and let you know what I get. Wow, and I thought the switch only went in one way. Thanks, I'm not throwing in the towel just yet

[JoeMarine]

Okay, I got anxious to get it started so I went out and this is what happened:
1. I released the bail wire from the light switch.
2. A retainer clip, spider switch and spring fell onto the deck ~ go figure.
3. I noticed the horn rod was not able to be pulled out into the cabin if I wanted to.
4. There was a ton of old grease around the spider and spring.
5. I reset the wire bundle into the light switch and was able to figure set the lights to working just like everyone told me. . .only one problem remains. . .
6. Brake lights still go out when I step on the brakes. . .gremlins at their best.
But I am getting closer.
Also, it looked like the rotating piece inside the light switch may be broken. . .but I can't be sure. I may be safe in just ordering a new light switch.
What do you all think?
SF
Joe Marine

[JoeMarine]

IRT #3. It should have read : I noticed the horn rod was now able to be pulled out into the cabin if I wanted to.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by JoeMarine

Okay, I got anxious to get it started so I went out and this is what happened:
1. I released the bail wire from the light switch.
2. A retainer clip, spider switch and spring fell onto the deck ~ go figure.
3. I noticed the horn rod was not able to be pulled out into the cabin if I wanted to.
4. There was a ton of old grease around the spider and spring.
5. I reset the wire bundle into the light switch and was able to figure set the lights to working just like everyone told me. . .only one problem remains. . .
6. Brake lights still go out when I step on the brakes. . .gremlins at their best.
But I am getting closer.
Also, it looked like the rotating piece inside the light switch may be broken. . .but I can't be sure. I may be safe in just ordering a new light switch.
What do you all think?
SF
Joe Marine

so your saying they are on until you step on the brake?

joe the brake light circuit is a simple as it gets. power from headlight switch to brake light switch at all times. think of the brake switch as a toggle on + off switch. when it is depressed the power flows to the stop bulbs. if you have power to the stop switch and remove both wires from it, connect them together in essence bypassing the stop switch the stop bulbs should light.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

so your saying they are on until you step on the brake?

joe the brake light circuit is a simple as it gets. power from headlight switch to brake light switch at all times. think of the brake switch as a toggle on + off switch. when it is depressed the power flows to the stop bulbs. if you have power to the stop switch and remove both wires from it, connect them together in essence bypassing the stop switch the stop bulbs should light.

What Mitch says.

Remove the wires from the switch light should be off. connect the wires and light should light. If the light works with you as the switch then the switch is the problem.

[JoeMarine]

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Okay. . .today I'll make it happen!!!

[JoeMarine]

Gents,
I want to first thank everyone for helping me to this point. I'm almost there.
I took the light switch apart, reset the spider to 6/12, put the horn rod at the 6 oclock position and buttoned it all up again and low and behold . . .the headlights worked as advertised in all positions. Still have the problem with my brake lights.
When I step on the brake pedal the lights go out.
Also, the brake lights do not go out when I put the horn rod at the 6 oclock position.
I re-checked all the wires that run back to the lights and everything seems to be in order.
I took the lights apart and put them back together adding a star washer to the nuts holding the lights to the fender so I would have that solid ground.
I have not run a separate grounding wire yet.
I'm taking the chance and ordered the stop light switch and it should be here tomorrow for installation. And with fingers crossed, it may solve the problem.
Not sure what else to do. Thanks for all the help.
Still not throwing in the towel.
I'm learning more and more each day, and loving it!
Semper Fidelis
Joe Marine

[Patrick L.]

OK, first. Tail lights. Do you have power at the left tail light wire ? Then does it continue to the connector/contact in the socket ? If so, there is a ground problem. Try a jumper wire from the socket to a good connection at the frame and see what happens. Then move to the right side, same thing.
Stop lights. One wire to the switch should have power . The second wire should not until the switch is actuated. Its easy to take the switch apart and fix it, they are pretty simple. From there the test is the same as above.

[31Tudor]

I think that I would start to isolate some of the problems. Did everything work just fine before the second tailight was added? If so, or if not, I think I would start by getting the stock wring to work again without the crossover light. Be sure that all regular wiring through the light circuts works as it should. If that does not work then I would probably unhook the headlights to take them out of the equation and just work with the one tailight and the brake light. Get that to work and then add the headlights back in so that I know all the regular lighting works.

Then try putting the additional light back into the circut. If the problems starts again then something is not right with the way it is being wired. Either ground or sockets or wires are comng in contact with each other.

[JoeMarine]

Okay gentlemen. . .it is now working.
I started with the stoplight switch and I noticed the plunger was sticking to the brake pedal arm. When I actually pulled the plunger away from the stop light switch the lights went out. I then went up and stepped on the brake pedal and it worked as advertised. That said, I will replace the stop light switch tomorrow and I think I'll be golden. It's been a tough few days but again, I'd like to thank everyone for the help. I learned a lot and "Henry" is now shining brightly.
Semper Fidelis. . .and until my next adventure.
Joe Marine

[Mitch//pa]

good deal joe we had faith

[JoeMarine]

Thanks Mitch . . . couldn't have done it without you all.
Semper Fidelis
Joe Marine

[SeaSlugs]

dont trash your old stoplight switch quite yet, ive heard some of the repros arent all that great...

They can be taken apart and cleaned/greased/fixed usually.

[Tom Wesenberg]

The brake switch is easy to fix. If the switch works just the opposite of the way it should, I'd guess someone put the movable brass strap on the wrong side of the stationary brass contact. My switch had a broken spring, as shown in the first picture, so it wouldn't return to the off position..

[JoeMarine]

Thanks Tom, I'm sure that was my problem too. I'm keeping the old part, just like I do with all the parts I've replaced. One never knows when I'll need it again. Once again, thanks to all for making this happen. I love seeing those lights come on and off with the flip of the horn rod and the step of a pedal. On to my next challenge. . .brakes!!!!

[JoeMarine]

I plan to hold on to it SeaSlug, thanks!
Semper Fidelis
Joe Marine