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Brake lights/taillights not illuminating

Dean Prevolos

FBBO Gold Member
FBBO Gold Member
Local time
10:32 AM
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Sep 3, 2020
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Location
Naples, Florida
Two weeks ago I read on the forum that if I had no brake lights the most likely reason for them not working was the turn signal switch. I had turn signals working and my headlights working. I have replaced all the bulbs in the tail light assembly. When I turn my lights on the rear lights do not illuminate. When I press on the brake pedal, the brake lights do not illuminate. So I installed a brand new turn signal switch yesterday in the steering column I also tested the white wire from my turn signal switch that goes into the plug under the dash. I have no power to that wire. I then ran a ground wire from my battery all the way to the tail light assembly and the brake lights did not illuminate. I have my electrical diagram and I'm trying to trace the wires. I have changed the light switch twice on this car in the last two years. First question: Is there any correlation between the light switch and the rear lights not coming on with the headlights? Second question: is there another brake switch underneath the dash that may be the culprit? Any help would be appreciated.
 
Yes, there's a brake light switch under the dash. You'll see the plunger against the brake pedal arm. It could be out of adjustment.
 
I had a similar issue. Discovered it was not grounded properly.
 
My service manual shows the brake switch Part#8-58-60 for a Belvedere and Coronet ( see attached photo) but that claims to not fit a Charger. The Charger has an actuator 8-58-66 , second attached photo from the service manual. I'll take a look under my dash this weekend and see what I have.

Service Manual brake light switch.jpg


Brake  stop actuator Charger only part.jpg
 
It turned out that the brake switch had continuity and is good. The problem was no power to the pink wire that attaches to the brake switch. I couldn't find the source of the pink wire not receiving power, so I used my pink wire which goes to the glove box light, attached a female connector, connected it to the brake switch and now I have brake lights. I can live without a glove box light for now.
 
It turned out that the brake switch had continuity and is good. The problem was no power to the pink wire that attaches to the brake switch. I couldn't find the source of the pink wire not receiving power, so I used my pink wire which goes to the glove box light, attached a female connector, connected it to the brake switch and now I have brake lights. I can live without a glove box light for now.
Just so you know you've moved to the cigar lighter circuit.
 
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