TR6 TR6 brake lights

[ichthos]

Hello everyone,
I am going crazy trying to figure out why my brake lights don't work. I got them working, but at some point I must have done something, because now they don't work. The brake switch is new. The light sockets are new and are individually grounded. I checked the wiring, and it still appears that I hooked up everything correctly. I have all my lights, but now when I push the brake switch, the tail /brake light. The last time I asked for help on this subject, most of you mentioned grounding. I checked all my grounds. I am also going to get the book by Dan Masters. In the meantime, does anyone have any specific suggestions? I am about out of money this month, and I don't have the money to go to an electrician.
Thanks, Kevin

 

[Guest]

Kevin, go to www.advanceautowire.com/tr2506.pdf for a copy of Dan Masters' latest color-coded wiring diagram for your car. You will still need his book but at least this will give you a jump on your project. Patience, lad. One step at a time. You will get it.


Bill

 

[DNK]

Kevin, sounds like a common ground problem to me. You will need help to check power sources. Use a volt meter to trace your power and find out if you have power to the light. Remeber all the sockets are ind. grounded.
don

 

[jsneddon]

do you have a volt meter? you can get em for under 20 bucks at Home Depot, Radio Shack, etc. Doesn't even need to be digital. Everything else is just a guess. Test for 12v going to the switch, 12v outta the switch, 12v at the socket.

Think of the brake light as a sprinkler at the end of a loop of hose. 12v is the water. The battery/alt/gen is the pump. The ground is the return to to the pump. Somewhere in that closed loop you currently have a kink.

Good luck!

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
Somewhere in that closed loop you currently have a kink.


[/ QUOTE ]

I like that analogy.


Bill

 

[ichthos]

Thanks for the info - I like the analogy too. I was tired when I posted. One detail that I did not clearly state (it was midnight when I finally gave up) was that now when I depress the brake light, not only does the brake light not come on, but the regular tail light (in the same socket) now goes out when I depress the brake. Yikes! I have come so far, and I can't believe this has me so stumped. I will go home and try to use the volt meter. I'll let you know what happens. With the new information, if this gives anyone any new ideas on what I can do, let me know.
Thanks, Kevin

 

[Andrew Mace]

[ QUOTE ]
... now when I depress the brake light, not only does the brake light not come on, but the regular tail light (in the same socket) now goes out when I depress the brake....

[/ QUOTE ]In my experience, that indicates that you still /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif have a ground problem.

 

[ichthos]

I know most of you have said it is a grounding problem, but the questions is where the grounding problem is. I won't get a chance to go at it again util Sunday. I'll let you know what happens.

 

[jsneddon]

[ QUOTE ]
I know most of you have said it is a grounding problem, but the questions is where the grounding problem is. I won't get a chance to go at it again util Sunday. I'll let you know what happens.

[/ QUOTE ]

it's simple really. you have a grounding problem somewhere between the front of the car and the rear of the car. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Now what fun would it be if we just told you exactly where it is ????

But seriously.... at least it is a constant fault. Repeatable symptoms are much easier to track down. It's the ones that come and go that will drive you to drink.

 

[ichthos]

I finally had a chance to see my car in daylight. The actual problem? It ended up being something stupid. I reversed two wires in the steering column. Most of the wires match up color wise. These did not. I had a 50/50 chance of getting it correct and I lost. They also did not match the schematic I had. I was a little worried I had messed things up some how. The previous owner had cut a three wires in the wiring harness and then rewrapped them long ago. Seems he didn't like a couple of things working in the car, so he decided to cut the wires and then rewrapped the wiring. This car has been sitting so long I didn't think anyone had tampered with the wiring. I have gone through the schematic that two of you sent me, and I think everything is correct now. At least everything works except for the horn and amp gauge now. Thanks for all your help.
Kevin

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
I had a 50/50 chance of getting it correct and I lost.

[/ QUOTE ]

Kevin, you should stay away from casinos.....


Bill