Brake Light Question - 67 Commando

Hello,

New to the forum. I have searched for a previous thread, but have not found this topic addressed.

The brake lights are not functioning on this 1967 Commando. The running lights and turn signal lights do work. The contacts at the brake pedal have been cleaned and the wiring repaired. When the pedal is depressed, the wire (shared with the turn signal) is energized (12v). However, the light bulb does not light (1157).

With the running lights on - the second filament does not light when the brake pedal is depressed. With the turn signal engaged - it lights.

Confused as to why it would not work? Anything I am overlooking?

Also - does anyone have a wiring diagram or a source for a good wiring diagram for a 1967? Not sure if the ones on this site are for my year.

Thanks in advance.

 

the brake light switch is plumbed into the brake line/master cylinder.
this would be in the engine compartment.
the cleaned contacts and repaired wiring you mention, are they for the turn signal switch, under dash and near bottom of column ?
if you have checked and rechecked all connections, and everything is okay, the only culprit left would be the turn signal switch itself; power for the brake lights would come into and go out of the switch to the rear lights; this cancels the brake lamp on whatever side and lets the turn signal function. Only thing I can think of IF, everything else has been checked. The factory service manual would have the wiring schematic.
Others here might help with that.

 

thanks JP for the reply.

I have answered some of your questions below.

the brake light switch is plumbed into the brake line/master cylinder.
this would be in the engine compartment.

Answer : Yes.


the cleaned contacts and repaired wiring you mention, are they for the turn signal switch, under dash and near bottom of column ?

Answer : No, the brake light contacts were cleaned at the master cylinder. Have not cleaned any turn signal contacts. However, turn signals work and power is applied to the turn signal wires when the brake pedal is depressed.

if you have checked and rechecked all connections, and everything is okay, the only culprit left would be the turn signal switch itself; power for the brake lights would come into and go out of the switch to the rear lights; this cancels the brake lamp on whatever side and lets the turn signal function.

Answer: Yes, +12v appears to flow through. With no turn signal on there is no power on the turn signal wire. When the brake is applied - power is on that wire. The socket can't be bad - the running lights work/turn signal works.

Only thing I can think of IF, everything else has been checked. The factory service manual would have the wiring schematic.
Others here might help with that.

Thanks for your reply!

FrankC

 

so you are stating that when brake pedal is depressed, power is coming out of t/s switch, and heading for the tail lamps ?
then tracing the wire seems logical
all the wires for the rear lighting run down the drivers side if I recall

 

Frank,

check the Jeepster club website on offroad.com. There were pdf files of the wiring harnesses over there for a while. I don't have the url in fron tof me, but just google American Jeepster Club.

Welcome BTW, lets see some pics of it when you have a chance.

 

Thanks to all!

I registered for that forum and found similar problems, but not my exact scenario. I posted a similar note there as well.

I found a few diagrams as well and printed them.

I will definitely check grounds / install grounds all over. The buckets do not have them - relying on the screw to body contact. However, I will change that tonight.

Frank

 

Frank, first try taking the connector off the switch on the bottom of the master cylinder and jump across the 2 tabs on the wiring harness. If the taillights light, its a bad switch. Common problem for them. If it still doesn't light them, take out one of the rear taillight assemblies and ground the housing with a jumper wire to a good CLEAN ground on the frame and also clean the housing area. If it still doesn't light up, try a set of jumper cables from the battery ground to the frame, then repeat the above steps. Jeepsters can be a REAL pain in the *** at times. It really sounds like a bad ground. Hope this helps!

Bill

 

Daily driving my Jeepster for the last several years I've dealt with this more than a few times. It's usually the brake light switch connections. I replaced the switch with one for a 1980's VW that has better spade type terminals.

If you can't get the brake lights to come on with a jumper wire but the rear turn signals work:

1) Check for 12v at the master cylinder.
2) If good, jumper the the brake switch wires. With the key off check for 12v at the connector on the column (important - when the key is on there are two 12v sources at the connector on the column).
3) If 12v at the column and your turn signals work the signal switch is bad.

 

Just wondering if you ever found out what the problem was and if you got it fixed.

Bill

 

I just went through this problem,I replaced the turn signal switch, this fixed the brake lite problem. Power comes from the brake lite switch, upthrough the turn signal switch,then out to the lites. My 4way flasher was broken on the bottom side.I got my switch [new] from http://www.jeepsterparts.com. Hope this helps unless you already have your lites fixed.

 

don brown,tried to e-mail you didnt work.you need www.jeepsterpartsdude.com Got the web site out of JP magazine,June issue.

 

got the email...thanks!!

 

had a problem with my brake lights- searched on this forum today. Took a wire brush to the contacts, and Voila! - problem solved....proof again that this forum RAWKS.

 

Same problem on my '71, it was a bad switch on the bottom of the master Cyl.
replaced it, it works fine now.