Brake lights not working on one side. 69 Charger

[MJC1001]

1969 Dodge Charger:

I am having an issue with my brake lights. The drivers side brake lights were kinda in and out on working and now totally out. I just replaced my brake switch (separate issue with the switch bracket not connecting to the brake arm very well causing the brake lights to stay on all the time) ..so now that that's all fixed, tonight those left side brake lights are completely out. Here is what works:

both turn directionals
both sets of parking lights (all 6 across)
right side brake lights work

Where should I be looking to figure why the brake lights on that side are not working. I pulled the bulbs and they both look good. It getting dark out so I had to call it quits. Any insight greatly appreciated.

 

[Ron 73]

Mopars love ground wires, id check them and make sure there clean and tight. Maybe take a look at the socket itself see if its rusted . If you replaced the switch and the one is working I don't think it would be that. I do know those ground wires need to be good..

 

[MJC1001]

sockets look good and the park lights work, and directionals work. Started chasing the dark blue wire that runs the left side brakes up to the front.. what a mess under the steering column. someone butchered these wires back together at some point in time and I have a royal mess where the rear light harnesses plug together. Still not luck. I hooked up 12 v on the wires in the trunk and they lit. I'm going to try hooking 12v up near the harness to see if the wires running through the pass. compartment are good. I pulled it all apart and found no breaking in it. I HATE electrical gremlins. Does anyone know where the wire harness from the rear goes after it meets up with other wires and goes behind the dash. I think the problem could be in there.

 

[Ron 73]

Ive been going thru the same crap with my car for a week in the dead short thread, Why they don't do it right to begin with i don't understand, everyone in a hurry to go for a ride i guess. Here is a link for the wiring Schematic for your car Get these and see if it helps some. Hard to say if they have the wiring that butchered up, i do know what your dealing with and thats not much of a consolation i know.. Check these wiring diagrams out, save them to your computer and maybe they can help sort out the mess. Id be careful hooking up the 12 volts to wires in case there may be one with bare wires showing you may not see under there and lead to a fire

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=27

 

[mopwrd340]

i had the same problem years ago turned out it was a bad t/s switch that was causing it take a test light to the t/s harness plug on the steering you should have 2 light up when you push on the brake pedal if you dont theres your problem

 

[hunt2elk]

This happened to me several years ago and it turned out to be the turn signal switch also. I would still repair-replace your bad wiring just to be safe.

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

check the socket where the bulb sits in. thats where my problem was in my 63 plymouth.

 

[67 B-body]

Does the brake light actualy have two leads coming to the trunk area, or is it one lead going to one tail lamp assembly then pig tailing off of that over to the other side?
I haven't done much with mine yet "still original" but it looked like it may have been this way. Series Parallel circuit.

 

[MJC1001]

The left brake light has one wire feeding both lights. All three are spliced together. I cleaned up and remade all of the taillight wiring this AM. Pulled the dash out and checked all the wires (huge mess- but still couldn't find anything). I checked all the wires into the steering column, but I read the posts after and did not check that turn signal switch with a light. That sounds like what I will attempt next. Left directional works fine when I put it on, however it does not light when using the hazard.. with that being said, could it be a hazard switch problem? If so, how would I test that.

thanks!
Mark

 

[mopwrd340]

i doubt its the hazard i wish i knew how to draw it out for you but to sort of put it in simple terms your brake lights run thru the t/s switch. you have 4 outputs on the switch l/f r/f l/r r/r when you have your t/s on to r or l and you hit the brake pedal it will light up the opppsing light . not all veichles work this way but this is the way yours should:icon_idea:

 

[airkiller]

Have the same issue with my 74 Duster. It is the turn signal switch. Need to replace it, just to busy to deal with it at present.

 

[Hankohop]

Ok so first off, sorry for the lack of response. I actually have been looking at It all day. It turned out to be a combination of everything. Bad wiring, bad connections and bad sockets. I'm really in all of you're debt. Got me to take it one step at a time and straighten it out. I owe all of you a beer.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Bad wiring, bad connections and bad sockets.

A triple bad is very bad.