1983 P30, no brake lights.

[leroyd92]

The brake light (element) lights up wheni have the blinkers on. Will not light up when brake switch is depressed.

Tried old brake switch, new one. Somehow, there's power going to both ends of the brake switch? Never tore into this part of the older trucks before so it's if that's strange normal.

I'm not sure what little tricks I need to check for.

The last time I worked on the 82 c10 brake lights it was cut and dry to chase down.

 

[The_Jeff]

Either the turn signal switch or hazard is to blame.

Think of how current has to flow-- the turns and hazard interrupt the normal brake light because blinking stuff is "more important". So power goes from battery--fuse--brake light switch-- turn-- hazard-- light bulbs, or vice versa for the last two.

 

[leroyd92]

Originally Posted by eljefino
Either the turn signal switch or hazard is to blame.

Think of how current has to flow-- the turns and hazard interrupt the normal brake light because blinking stuff is "more important". So power goes from battery--fuse--brake light switch-- turn-- hazard-- light bulbs, or vice versa for the last two.



Conveniently, I have a new turn signal switch coming in tomorrow. The p30 system is different from The series... Ask me how I found this out??!!

 

[leroyd92]

Before I realized the c30 turn signal switch was different from the p30. I hooked new switch up and tried to get brake lights and still nothing.

But there was no screws holding it down nor steel lug digging into the column ( apparently for grounding )

I'm worried the new switch isn't going to fix the issue.

 

[leroyd92]

The turn signal switch didn't fix the problem.

 

[clinebarger]

Check for power on the Orange wire at the brake light switch, If OK.....Check for power on the White wire at the turn signal switch connector with the brake pedal depressed, If OK.....Check for power at the Yellow & Green wires at the turn signal switch connector with the brake pedal depressed, Because your turn signals work....We know the Green & Yellow wires are good going the rear of the vehicle.

The "56-series" terminals used at the brake light switch connector can get spread out over time & not make good contact.

 

[clinebarger]

The P-series chassis is always a generation behind the C/K chassis....The turn signal switch would be similar to '67-'72 generation C/K chassis.

 

[leroyd92]

Originally Posted by clinebarger
Check for power on the Orange wire at the brake light switch, If OK.....Check for power on the White wire at the turn signal switch connector with the brake pedal depressed, If OK.....Check for power at the Yellow & Green wires at the turn signal switch connector with the brake pedal depressed, Because your turn signals work....We know the Green & Yellow wires are good going the rear of the vehicle.

The "56-series" terminals used at the brake light switch connector can get spread out over time & not make good contact.



Ok, so, the brake light switch has a purple and green wire attached to it. BOTH HAVE POWER WHEN KEY IS ON. Neither of them do when the key is off.

Earlier today I chased the wires from the trailer plug to the engine bay, checked connectors along the way and all looked alarming clean.

I will chase down the wires as you stated next time I get a moment.

Thank you for the procedure. All of my manuals don't show steering columns like this one

 

[leroyd92]

Ok my friend, your post helped me chase down wires to find the issue.

Main issue, I FOUND THE ACTUAL BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH!

the actual brake light switch is behind the dash, so far up the brake pedal that we can't reach it.

The connector had the orange power wire, and its plenty long to relocate down in the same location where our other trucks have it located.

I believe the black switch that had power going to both wires is an emissions ( carburetor kick off something ) its bracket is where other brake light switches are normally located, like my 82.

Dad is making the new bracket, we refuse to remove the dash to change a $4 part


Thank you everyone!

 

[andyd]

Yah some stuff is easier to bodge than to fix right