So my wife noticed that my new to me 1986 Eagle Limited has no brake lights. All the other lights work, so does the cruise control, rear wiper, etc. Since I need to get it safetied asap, and I can't seem to find the snag, does anyone here know what it could be? Neither side works at all.
I have been tracing and tracking wires, and I did find a broken wire, but it doesn't appear to be the right one.
Did you check the switch on the brake pedal? Might be out of whack. Check the fuse, too.
What switch? And do all bulbs have to be in and working for the brake lights to work right?
That'd be the brake light switch. Start at the brake pedal and look upward - you'll see it. They are a tad troublesome (a Ford design) and easily and cheaply replaced. And no, all the bulbs don't have to work.
What I see from under the dash is a little switch looking thing that looks like it's vacuum controlled, there is a tube leading into the engine bay. Sort of beside that are 2 separate attachments that have wires leading off of them.
Any pics of what this switch looks like so I know exactly what I'm looking for? Or links?
Edit : Is this what I'm looking for?
(http://www.rockauto.com/getimage/getimage.php?imageurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockauto.com%2Finfo%2FSMP%2FSLS90photo+primary.jpg&imagekey=44669-0&width=500)
Yes that's it.
The vacuum is for the cruise control shut off switch.
Also check the plug that attaches to that switch, I had one where the wire had backed out of the plug and wasn't making a good connection
I would also make sure the plugs aren't melted because when my switch went out it melted the plugs and cooked one of the connectors.
OK, it is the switch. I can remove it and press on it and it'll work, but it won't work when attached to the pedal for some reason. It seems to be a tad loose and will rotate around a bit.
When I took it off and reinstalled it, the switch was placed over the rod leading into the engine bay. The order which I put it back together is :
nut / rod / plastic washer / hook end of switch / pedal / sleeve (slides into pedal) / plastic washer / bolt
Is this correct?
Sounds like it.
http://amceaglesden.com/guide/index.php?title=Section_37%2C_Brake%2C_Clutch%2C_Accelerator_Linkages%3B_Brake_Master_Cylinder%2C_Lines_and_Hoses
That was correct. There is something to watch for though. The rod that slides into the engine bay can rotate, one side is fitted for a small nipple on the brake light switch. If they arent facing eachother than the switch will not work.
Thank goodness I fixed it. One step closer to inspection, but I have no doubt that it'll pass. The few issues it has with it have nothing to do with safety :D
Glad that fixed it! That will be a big relief when you pass your inspection!