Once again I'm needing your help. '56 victoria, Auto, 292, no backup lights. Was completely rewired last year with new sockets..everything. Now the turn signals and taillights work on both sides and until recently the brake lights worked. Now the right rear brake lite won't work the taillights and turn signals still work on both sides,the the one (right) brake light won't work...socket is new and have changed bulb with same result...any help would be appreciated.  Thank. Jim Dahl, Washington Ia

Location:Washington,Ia

Was the brake light switch replaced when the car was rewired??

Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

No the brake light switch wasn't replaced, the turn signal switch wasn't either.

Location:Washington,Ia

Rono has you on the right track. On Fords the brake and signal current is carried on the same conductor so if your signal lights are working then the bulbs, rear sockets and wires are ok. The most likely problem as Rono has alluded to is a failed brake light switch, brake light switch connection, or the circuit leading to the brake light switch. If that circuit is fused check the fuse. The brake light switch that is mounted in the brake line just behind the master cylinder. These switches are alleged to be prone to failure especially if modern high powered bulbs are used. I prefer to do away with that switch and use a pedal activated switch. Since on my vehicles I have added power brakes I use a late model F150 switch which installs in the brake pedal linkage. The brake current is also fed through the signal light switch in your steering column so a problem with the switch or the circuit leading to it could be a problem. I assume that when you rewired the vehicle you used a Ford harness or if an after market harness was used it was wired according to the Ford wiring diagram.



Good luck.

Mark

1956 Mercury M100
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
Delta, British Columbia

We're heading down the wrong path here.  If the left brake light works then the brake light switch is OK.  Since both turn signals work, the wiring and bulbs are OK.  What is happening is that the turn signal switch is not making contact to the right side when  it is supposed to be in the centered position.  This can be a bad contact in the turn signal switch, or it is not physically returning to exact center.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Rono, Iyonroad and Hurricane...thanks for you thourghts and ideas.....I think I'll be replacing the turn signal switch  after all its 56 years old and all the other wiring is new. Thanks again for helping keep the "OLD GIRLS" on the road  and enjoyable to drive. Thanks Jim

Location:Washington,Ia

John, my thoughts exactly!

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

I agree with john and bill. Drove myself nuts chasing same problem, and finally figured out it was turn signal sw. New sw and all is well!

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

Count me in on Johns diag. Just fixed a 72 F model truck with the same problem.

Dan      Kingman Az.      86409

Is installing a new switch something that someone with very limited electrical and mechincal ability can do...find a new switch isn't hard found the at Mac's, Concours, plus others but just wondering if theres anything to beware of ...Thanks again.  You probably don't really realize how many pages are in my "notebook"  from this forum that I refer back to and how much help you guys are. I check this site everyday and sometimes more.

Location:Washington,Ia