'81 Brake Lights

**SmartI** · 11-01-05, 10:34 AM

Hello all, I need some help troubleshooting my brake lights. All other lights on the rear are working fine, but when I hit the brake pedal I don't get anything. I did have a bad bulb, so I replaced both of them but that didn't fix the problem. I then checked the fuses and found a blown 30 amp fuse, so I changed it out. I assume that was for the brake lights since everything else was working fine. That didn't work either. Next up was the switch on the brake pedal. Screwed a new one in and that didn't work. Does anyone have any thoughts on what to do next? Thanks in advance.

John Smart

**Bob Chadwick** · 11-01-05, 10:40 AM

Trace the wires and make sure everything back there is grounded. On my car the ground is on the corner of the frame on the driver's side.

**JohnZ** · 11-01-05, 12:00 PM

Do your turn signals and hazard flashers work?

**bill81vette** · 11-02-05, 02:36 AM

I have been having trouble with mine as well ...there is a wire inside of the switch has loosened..I do need to replace the switch...

take johnz's idea and check your other lites!!!1

bill.........

**SmartI** · 11-02-05, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by JohnZ

Do your turn signals and hazard flashers work?

Yes, the hazards and turn signals work.

**JohnZ** · 11-02-05, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by SmartI

Yes, the hazards and turn signals work.

Then your rear wiring and grounds are fine - if you have power into the brake light switch (and power out of it with the pedal depressed), it's either in the turn signal switch or in the wiring between the brake light switch and the turn signal switch (the turn signal switch controls how the brake lights work).

**zachh** · 11-02-05, 05:32 PM

My 79 had the same problem, but only the hazards worked and I kept blowing fuses. I looked over everything, but couldn't figure it out. Finally I looked at the bulb socket. Turned out that there was a short within the socket. Check that, also look up under the rear/ up behind the wheelwells for any bad wires.

zachh

**jclit** · 11-02-05, 08:48 PM

I had the same problem and it turned out to be the connector on the lower part of the steering collumn. It was loose and I kept hitting it with my foot. All I had to do to "fix" it was tie it up to the collumn.
Jim

**Mr. Chuck** · 11-03-05, 09:05 PM

The "Stop/Haz" 20 amp fuse which is hot all the time supplies power to the brake lights through the "Stop Light Switch" and then to the "Directional Signal / Hazard Warning Switch Assembly" (mtg on steering column). Shop manual says to check connector C124, located under LH instrument panel, near the fuse panel. Having power there, check for voltage / test light from the center contact of one stop light sockets (bulb removed), to the ground at the rear left bumper cylinder just aft of the radio antenna. If you read voltage on a meter and get a lit test light, with helper pressing the brake peddle. No light tells you the problem is between there and C124. If you get a light, Re-insert the stop lamp, still no light in socket, check for bad ground or damaged wiring at the socket. If you get no voltage / light, then you will need to check the body wiring harness, book shows it is locate above the gas tank. Before you get to deep in taking things aparts, double check all connection points for damage or degraded wiring, or if you have worked on someelse under the dash panel recheck all connections first.
One hint; a test light with 3 - 4 foot leads with clip on the ground side helps to insure a good ground connection at a good frame ground point and frees up one hand. I use a home made test light with very 4' long leads.
Hope some of this helps.