no brake lights

[maximus7001]

Greetings.

When I got this Eagle only one brake light worked. Now there is no brake lights. Swapped the bulbs with new ones and still nothing. All of the other tail lights work as well as the reverse lights.

[txjeeptx]

All other tail lights work, meaning the parking lights(red, low-intensity) work when the headlight/parking light switch is on? I'd take a look at the brake light switch, which is mounted under the dash where the pedal connects to the brake master/booster pushrod. Maybe it is not connected, or maybe it needs replaced. Also check the ground wires, and be sure that you have the correct types of bulbs, and not some street-racer junk LEDs.

[JayRamb]

Brake light switches do go bad.

[Jurjen]

Should be easy to solve, since they have separate power  (fuse #4, 15A)  going to them.
Power goes straight to the brake switch and from the brake switch to the brake lights.
You can find the ground point (T10) between the taillights on the inside, behind the plastic cover.

[IRON HORSE]

  The fact that one of the brake lights worked leads me to agree with txjeeptx ... fuse first ... check the bulb sockets and grounds to each and for the correct bulb type.  The bulbs should have two contacts on the bottom ... also the bayonet type posts on the sides of the bulb are at different levels, they only go in one way. This is done to put the correct filament on the proper contact .. ( either park or brake ).  If the bulbs are installed correctly, check each socket for a ground. If you have a volt meter or anything that will indicate the presents of 12v you can probe the two contacts in the base of the socket .. one will be hot when the park lights are on the other will be hot when you hit the brakes ... check all brake Lt sockets ... if you don't get 12v follow the wires back as far as ya can ... maybe someone had installed a trailer connector harness and cut some wires, ya never know ,,,,, then check the switch it could be mis-aligned or bad.

                                                            Good Luck,  Iron Horse

[maximus7001]

The brake lights worked last night. It would seem that during the day when the temp is almost 30c that the lights do not light up. There is a little box tied into the wires and it makes a click sound when the brake lights come on. When the temp goes down at night they start working again. This seems to be part of the towing package as well as a turn signal/hazard click box near by, this thing is loud. My Concord does not have these.

Here are the boxes:

[Jurjen]

The little box is an general automotive type relay (normally 12V 30watts)
You could take the tape off and try cleaning the spades.
You probably need new ones, but every carpart store should have them ($5/pc).
Take the old ones with you, just to make sure.

[maximus7001]

So I guess the relay for the brake lights is starting to go funny?

Do other Eagles have these relays or is it from the towing package? As I mentioned, my 81 Concord does not have these but it has no towing package.

[thereverendbill]

So I guess the relay for the brake lights is starting to go funny?

Do other Eagles have these relays or is it from the towing package? As I mentioned, my 81 Concord does not have these but it has no towing package.

I think this was an add on for trailer lights (pretty decent idea).  I know my 83 wagon and 81 kammback have no relays near the tail lamps

[maximus7001]

So what exactly is the function of these and why would they be needed?

[Gil-SX4]

To keep the lights bright and the wiring from overheating.

[Eagleearl]

Since the brake lights and stop lights are separate on an Eagle and together on a trailer the relays are necessary to combine signals for the trailer while keeping them separate on the car.

[Jurjen]

...and seperate lights are a good feature for Europe, because we have seperate lights on the rear already (cars and trailers), so no problems hooking up the electrics for the hitch.