Brake lights not working

[Benjamin Pringle]

Hello,

I’m noticed my brake lights don’t work anymore. They were converted to LED units by the previous owner.

I’ve taken the brake light switch out with a view to cleaning the contacts up, however it turns out to be a sealed unit so that idea came to a dead end. I checked the contacts on the switch with a multimeter, I’m happy that there’s power getting to the switch.

I had a look at the rear lights, however being LED there’s not much to look at. The normal tail lights still work, just not the brake lights.

I’m not too sure where to go from here, unfortunately I don’t know enough about the exact electrical layout of the car to know where to look next.

Would anyone have any ideas?

The car is a 1953 6V French Normale.

 

Many thanks,

Ben

[BernieParticipant]

Ben,

If neither stoplight is working that suggests the fault is probably before the lamps.

I suggest you start by confirming you have power to the switch. If not, you will need to trace the power source back to the battery but remember the brake lights should be fed via the ignition switch so the ignition must be on for them to work.

If you have power reaching the switch, simply by-pass the switch by bridging between the two contacts.  If that makes the lights work then the problem lies in the area of the switch.  Check the operating mechanism is working properly and, if it is, then it is probably the switch itself at fault.

If by-passing the switch does not make the lights work, then check for power at the lamps.  If power is reaching the lamps and the side lights are OK then it is unlikely to be the earth but still worth checking.

Good luck.

B…….

[David FaulknerParticipant]

Just to add to Bernie, the wiring runs along to a multi block near the left side under the rear parcel shelf. There is a book of wiring diagrams in Members Section>technical library but there is one available online in colour for post 52 cars that makes life much easier

[Benjamin Pringle]

Thank you gentlemen, I will investigate further today. Thank you for your ideas!

Ben

[David FaulknerParticipant]

One other point on LED bulbs, some of the latest ones are dual 6/12v and are not polarity sensitive, some are not and won’t work if coupled the wrong way around and may need to be reversed i.e. try swapping the live for the earth.

Good luck

[Benjamin Pringle]

Update…

I bridged the two wires at the switch, hey presto, the brake lights lit up.. Problem with the switch then.

The unit was held together with rivets, I drilled them out figuring that the worst that could happen was the need to buy a new switch. Upon dismantling, all components decided to part ways across the garage in rapid fashion, some likely never to be seen again.

Eventually most parts were located, however I suspect there was a spring which I gave up trying to find. I “borrowed” another spring from another application, cleaned up all contacts and components – some copper parts were a lovely shade of green upon disassembly/explosion, no wonder current wasn’t flowing through.

Everything back together and tested, refitted and tested – all working perfectly.

Thanks for the guidance.

Ben

[BernieParticipant]

Ben,

Glad to hear you are sorted …

…..  a simple process of illumination.

B…

[Author]

Posts