Brake and Signal Lights Problem

[jcwillis]

Hello,

Have a 69 Camper Special with a stake bed. PO added a trailer brake setup. Checked out the trailer brake wiring and it all seems to be hooked up correctly. Wiring at the rear of the truck that has been spliced into to feed the trailer connector seems also correct.

Signals and brake lights did not work when I bought the truck. I do have marker lights on at front and front-sides as well as at the tail lights when lights are on. When browsing around seeing if others may have gone through a similar problem to mine, I saw that the front marker lights should not be on when headlights are on? I notice that there is a solenoid type noise coming from the passenger side in front of the door and beside the glove box when I turn on the lights. Back up lights do work.

No brake lights at all. Right turn signal lights up bulbs at front, rear and in dash, but does not blink. Left signal lights up front and dash bulbs, but does not blink. I have replaced the signal cam under the steering wheel so that turn signal would cancel.

Has anyone had a similar problem with their truck? Any suggestions as to where I should begin? Thanks in advance for your help.

Jim

[68F250]

Hi Jim!

The front marker lights should stay on with the headlights, it's the parking lights that should go off and that's only for '69 and earlier.

The clicking sound is the relay for the marker lights.

I would start looking at the stop light switch mounted on the brake pedal first.

For blinkers, have you tried replacing the turn signal flasher?

[FORDification]

I'd start by replacing the two flasher units, up under the dash. Those do go bad, and since the lights do come on without blinking, I'd start there first.

Camper Specials have a light relay mounted on the passenger-side wall behind the glovebox. That was for the truck's additional clearance lights and the camper's clearance lights. However, I'm not really sure how that would come into play with the problems you're experiencing. It's possible that relay is going bad and would also need replaced. However, I'd also start out by checking all your bulbs to make sure they're still good. Test them for continuity with an ohmmeter even if they look good. I once had one filament of a dual-filament (1157) bulb break off and lay down over the top of the other filament....man, that created all SORTS of wierd lighting problems until I finally figured out what was going on.

[FORDification]

Barry! You're picking up speed here!

[68F250]

Yeah I learned a trick, don't talk as much.

[flyboy2610]

I would replace the flasher units. One of then is behind the instrument panel.
Check to be sure you are getting current at the brake light switch mounted above the brake pedal.

[jcwillis]

Thanks for your suggestions and guidance.

Brake switch has power and checks Ok. Are the parking lights those lights under the headlights? If so, they are staying on when headlights are on.

Will swap out other flasher unit this afternoon. Looks like I had previously swapped out only the emergency flasher unit and not the turn signal flasher unit.

Jim

[68F250]

Are the parking lights those lights under the headlights? If so, they are staying on when headlights are on.

Sounds like someone already has fiddled with it.

[jcwillis]

Update:

Both flasher cans are now good. Unfortunately, I now get nothing at all for the turn signals. Also, still no brake lights.

However, the lights under the headlights now go off when the headlights are on. Still have tail lights and marker lights when headlights are on.

Tried the emergency flasher switch and blew the fuse (lowest in the fuse box and to the right). Replaced with a 14 amp fuse and it went again.

Anyone with a similar problem in the past?

Jim

[flyboy2610]

You might need to replace the turn signal switch. Your brake kights route through it and it controls your turn signals.
The flashers work so we know the bulbs and grounds are good.

[Merlin68F100]

Just my 2 cents worth, I would find every ground connection related to the lights and take it apart and clean it, Then I would take every bulb out of the truck and check it with my spare 12 volt motorcyle battery. Then I would start troubleshooting the truck.
With these old trucks this has saved me some hair.

Also see the thread about why a cuircuit tester has a pointed end on it.

[campfire67]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, I may be pulling this out of my @$$ but I thought that I heard somewhere that if the back up lamp switch didn't work that the tail lamps didn't work either.

Not sure though may check your back up lamps to see if they work anyways. (this was on a manual trans)

[flyboy2610]

I have a 4spd and the switch isn't even hooked up, but my tail lights work.
Hadn't heard that one before.

[slopjockey]

Dude! It has to be the turn signal switch. I had the same prob. Spent days checking bulbs, sockets, and grounds. Changed the t/s switch, ran the wires solidly to the connector blocks, Presto! Lights! These trucks seen to be haunted in this area. Just be careful when you pull the steering wheel off, there`s a big spring behind it, mine took off like an Atlas booster! If you value your nose, wear a football helmet. Good luck and stay with it, you`ll get it right!

[jcwillis]

Thanks for the comments.

To Recap:

I replaced the turn signal switch a while back (when I first got the truck) so that it would self cancel;
Brake switch at pedal checks out Ok;
Replaced both flasher cans;
Headlights, marker lights, tail lights, reverse lights all work properly;
No Brake lights, No turn signal lights;
Turning on emergency flasher will blow the fuse.

Will work on checking all bulbs to make sure they are Ok and make sure I have proper ground(s). Maybe the trailer setup wiring is not properly wired, so I will dig into that also.

Any other ideas?