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Topic: stop lights

in Forum: C3 Electrical


stop lights

Posted: 12/28/06 4:12am Message 1 of 7
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baton rouge, LA - USA
Joined: 8/12/2006
Posts: 391
Vette(s): 1981 dark metallic blue, dark doeskin leather interior, mirrored glass T Tops, 330hp/350ci GMPP crate engine, billeted aluminum serpentine system, Dewitts with dual spalls
I Have an issue where the passenger stop light comes on then won't come on.  It works fine when the turn signal indicator is on the driver side. 
 
I found a pinched wire and re situated it.  Then checked and re crimped some loose ground connections, changed questionable bulbs eventough all bulbs did light up.  I think the stop lamp switch or turn signal switch could be bad.   
 
I will check electronically, but if someone knows what most likely goes bad it would be greatly appreciated.  I think it is the stop lamp switch because I noticed one of the connectors is loose, but I did change out with another switch and I noticed no difference.  Everything works regarding flashers, directional signals, ect.Confused
 
Thanks for any suggestions



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stop lights

Posted: 12/28/06 5:25am Message 2 of 7
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Newark, DE - USA
Joined: 7/26/2004
Posts: 468
Vette(s): 1968 Conv, 454HO,500HP-600TQ, TKO-600,3:70 HD rear,hotrod air, custom paint & suspension,1973 Ruby Red,T-top, 383 Stroker, TK)-500,frame off restro, 1967 Dodge Coronet, 340 stroker to 406, Dana 60
Well if the other side is working then I would suspect a ground problem on the passenger side. take the bulbs out on both sides & put the breakes on . check for 12+ & a ground on each socket. Then you'll have to check the wires going to the rear. They all go down the left side on thew drivers side. They are color coded. Checking faulty wires can be time consuming.  But you either have to start from the source or the end. I've always started from the end & move up. I had so many problems with mine & many bubas I ripped it all out & rewired the whole car & installed larger wiring & more circuits.
Alan



                                               

stop lights

Posted: 12/28/06 5:47am Message 3 of 7
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Greensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
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Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...
Alan is right on circuit. These cars aren't new anymore and bad grounds are common. I would do the same thing he suggests by starting at the problem and move forward. My tail / brake lights gave me problems after installing the 80-82 series bumper. Even though I had dressed up the bumper safety bar and all of the light connections when changing it out I had intermitten problems. I ended up changing the wires out, which cured the problem. I can only surmise the wire was corroded from the inside and messin with me. Good Luck!


stop lights

Posted: 12/28/06 5:59am Message 4 of 7
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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It is definitely a ground issue with that side. The fact that it works with the turn sig. on the other side on tells us it is getting its ground thru that side. The bulb sockets themselves can have bad ground connections on them.
If you have someone step on the brake, wiggle the wires going into the bulb socket. If the bulb lights up, that will tell you the socket has corrosion, or a damaged connection. If the bulb doesn't light, then you need to start checking for ground issues along the harness. Most tail/brake light grounds are on the frame in the rear, or attatched to the bumper support.


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stop lights

Posted: 12/28/06 6:31am Message 5 of 7
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HOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.

You could try tapping into the ground wire coming out of the socket and run a ground to the frame to see if that fixes your issue. Then you will at least have functional brake lights until you get to the root cause.

Look up around where the antenna mount is on the driver's side. There should be a ground wire coming out of the harness and connecting to the frame.
 
Good luck Smile
LukesVette2006-12-28 06:32:00


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stop lights

Posted: 12/28/06 8:02am Message 6 of 7
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baton rouge, LA - USA
Joined: 8/12/2006
Posts: 391
Vette(s): 1981 dark metallic blue, dark doeskin leather interior, mirrored glass T Tops, 330hp/350ci GMPP crate engine, billeted aluminum serpentine system, Dewitts with dual spalls
thanks so much, will try all above and I agree with starting from the back and  I never thought of a corroded wire, great suggestions.


stop lights

Posted: 12/31/06 2:24pm Message 7 of 7
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baton rouge, LA - USA
Joined: 8/12/2006
Posts: 391
Vette(s): 1981 dark metallic blue, dark doeskin leather interior, mirrored glass T Tops, 330hp/350ci GMPP crate engine, billeted aluminum serpentine system, Dewitts with dual spalls
thanks for ya'lls help. got em going.  Bad ground!


in Forum: C3 Electrical


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