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Ahhh! No brake lights- please help

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by cargovoyage, Jan 10, 2011.

  1. Jan 10, 2011
    cargovoyage

    cargovoyage New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2010
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    My adventures continue. Now that I have the speedometer working I realize I have no brake lights. 2 weeks in and the fun is just begining.

    OK here goes... 1969 CJ5. Running lights work. Directionals work (but strangely are reversed- push down on the stalk for right...) No brake lights and no reverse lights. I don't even know where to begin. I did a search but didn't come up with this exact problem. Anyone please tell me how to troubleshoot this.
    Thank you!
     
  2. Jan 11, 2011
    AKCJ

    AKCJ Active Member

    Fairbanks, Alaska
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    Aug 12, 2003
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    1,035
    In my experience no brakes lights turns out to be the pressure switch in the brake line. On my rig the switch is mounted in the brake line on top of the frame near the drivers side front wheel. The problem is usually a bad electrical connection. You can test the switch with an ohm meter - it should make when the pressure is on. My rig also has another switch inside the drivers side frame rail back near the t-case but it's not used - I guess a PO took out the wiring?
     
  3. Jan 11, 2011
    Diggerjeep

    Diggerjeep Member

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    Oct 19, 2010
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    196
    Since you state that the directional lights are reversed, it could be that your directional signal switch is the problem. The brake lights get routed through the directional switch.

    Do the rear lights work with the directional switch?

    Do you have 4-way flashers and do the work?

    The directional switch may not be original equipment. I have a 68 and the directional switch appears to be aftermarket. Lots of iffy connections under the dash that I'll get to rewire someday.

    You should have voltage to one side of the brake switch all of the time. Use a test light or a voltmeter to check The other side of the switch should not have voltage (12 volts) on it when the pedal is released, but SHOULD have voltage when the pedal is depressed.

    Also check the wiring up under the left rear fender. It is common for mud or snow to accumulate on the old cloth covered wire and pull the connections apart.
     
  4. Jan 11, 2011
    cargovoyage

    cargovoyage New Member

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    Dec 20, 2010
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    My rear directionals do work, however are reversed. I don't have flashers- not even sure where the switch would be. Also, I think the turn signal unit is original- it is a Sparton. I looked for a brake switch on the master cylinder last night and did not find one. I guess it is integrated into the brake lines? Does anyone have a picture of what I am looking for?
    Is this it?
    http://postimage.org/image/t78xjgsk/
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2011
  5. Jan 11, 2011
    Philip-TX

    Philip-TX Member

    Flower Mound, Tx
    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2010
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    156
    Here is the Switch on my '59. The MC on your '69 might be different.
    Others can verify that.

    Pic might help/might not....
    [​IMG]

    Also need to check the Spartan wiring as mentioned.
     
  6. Jan 11, 2011
    cargovoyage

    cargovoyage New Member

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    Mine looks different. Must be later model with twin piston MC. There are 2 brake lines that come out the side. No switch to be seen. Where do I begin when troubleshooting the sparton unit? Just disassemble it?
     
  7. Jan 11, 2011
    jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Morgan Hill, Ca
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    I would make sure it is not the brake switch first. My dual M/C has one on the bottom (like the pic above but on the bottom) and as AKCJ mentioned I also have one on the frame near the front of the vehicle. I had a short and it took me forever to find it, it was the brake switch. I picked one up at my local FLAPS.
     
  8. Jan 11, 2011
    UncleSam

    UncleSam Sponsor

    Cleburne County,...
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    Oct 25, 2010
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    My 69 CJ5 has two (in-line) brake light switches, one is under the hood, the brake line running along the drivers side of the frame across from the exhaust manifold, the other one is under the Jeep (in-line also)on the drivers side running along the frame also, just in front of the trans cross member. It sounds like you've got some wiring problems. I'd check the wiring with a diagram, before I changed out any switches..

    try this http://www.vintagejeepparts.com/Univ_Turn_Signal.asp
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2011
  9. Jan 11, 2011
    wrhirzel

    wrhirzel Member

    El Paso, TX
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    122
    Your turn signal wires coming from the turn signal switch are front/back specific. There are 4 wires (2 front & 2 rear). I had a problem with only one of my brake lights working, and it turned out that that two of the wires coming from the turn signal switch were crossed, so when I stepped on the brake one of my front, and one rear turn signals lit up. I reversed the two wires and both brake lights worked fine. Check to see if your front signals come on when you step on the brakes. If they do, the wires are crossed.
     
  10. Jan 11, 2011
    mainejeep

    mainejeep Member

    kenduskeag maine
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    the brake switch will liook like the one above, and the front should be located behind the driverside tire on top of the frame. it eill be inline with the f brake line in a small brass block. it will have a funky connetion on top of it. the rear should be i the frame under the driverside door. hope this helps
     
  11. Jan 11, 2011
    cargovoyage

    cargovoyage New Member

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    Dec 20, 2010
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    I found the brake switch- in the engine compartment off of the front brake line. I checked one side and had 12 volts. Then I jumped it with a piece of wire and nothing happened so I assume it's not the switch that's bad. Also, in the left rear tailight housing there is what looks to be a square recepticle. Is that a missing fuse or is there supposed to be a bulb in there? It doesn't exist on the right rear. The plot thickens...
     
  12. Jan 11, 2011
    mainejeep

    mainejeep Member

    kenduskeag maine
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    take a picture of what you are tlking about it will help us help u.
     
  13. Jan 11, 2011
    cargovoyage

    cargovoyage New Member

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    Success! I re-checked the front brake switch by jumping the wires again and this time the brakes lit up. So now I guess I just need to replace the switch- hopefully I can find it at a local auto parts store. Anyone know a part number for me?

    Now as for the mystery terminal in the left tailight housing. Is that for an accessory light? Only in the left one.
    [​IMG]
     
  14. Jan 11, 2011
    EricM

    EricM Active Member

    Southern California
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    ETA: Not sure what that is
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2011
  15. Jan 12, 2011
    Shlink

    Shlink New Member

    Idaho
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    think your looking at a marker light recepticle, need a 194 bulb in there if I'm thinking about what I think your looking at ? :rofl:
     
  16. Jan 12, 2011
    cargovoyage

    cargovoyage New Member

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    194 bulb- thanks. But why is the marker light only on the left side?
     
  17. Jan 12, 2011
    unclebill

    unclebill Banned

    a sun blasted...
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    license plate light?
     
  18. Jan 12, 2011
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    That light is not original to your '69. Someone replaced it with a later style light or aftermarket. Most likely an aftermarket flaps type light.
     
  19. Jan 12, 2011
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    Correct. Those type lights were commonly used on trailers and did use the side marker light (red for rear) and amber for front and middle for long trailers.
     
  20. Jan 12, 2011
    cargovoyage

    cargovoyage New Member

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    good to know. Thanks
     
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