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  • November 22, 2024, 04:09:50 AM

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Author Topic: No brake lights  (Read 6227 times)

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Offline Nightpath

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No brake lights
« on: March 23, 2014, 04:25:14 PM »
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.
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Offline Mernsy

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Re: No brake lights
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2014, 05:06:29 PM »
Did you check the switch on the brake pedal? Might be out of whack. Check the fuse, too.
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Offline Nightpath

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Re: No brake lights
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2014, 05:38:36 PM »
What switch? And do all bulbs have to be in and working for the brake lights to work right?
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Offline AMC of Houston

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Re: No brake lights
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2014, 06:17:17 PM »
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.
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Offline Nightpath

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Re: No brake lights
« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2014, 06:56:45 PM »
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?

« Last Edit: March 23, 2014, 07:08:16 PM by Nightpath »
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Offline eaglefreek

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Re: No brake lights
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2014, 07:48:28 PM »
Yes that's it.
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Offline IowaEagle

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Re: No brake lights
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2014, 07:53:22 PM »
The vacuum is for the cruise control shut off switch.
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Offline Amc1320

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Re: No brake lights
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2014, 09:46:05 PM »
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
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Offline maddog

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Re: No brake lights
« Reply #8 on: March 24, 2014, 02:25:57 AM »
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.
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Offline Nightpath

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Re: No brake lights
« Reply #9 on: March 24, 2014, 05:09:49 PM »
 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?
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Offline Mernsy

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Re: No brake lights
« Reply #10 on: March 24, 2014, 05:33:50 PM »
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Offline Nightpath

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Re: No brake lights
« Reply #11 on: March 24, 2014, 06:53:22 PM »
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
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Offline vangremlin

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Re: No brake lights
« Reply #12 on: March 24, 2014, 07:20:13 PM »
Glad that fixed it!  That will be a big relief when you pass your inspection!
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