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Rear brake lights not working

Ifster

Member
City
White Rock
State
NM
Moved onto the electrical today.
I added grounds to frame and body. The front lights are good.
Flashers are not working, but the signal switch in the column is broken. I do have another one on the way.

As I understand, the power to brake lights goes through the signal switch? With the signal switch disconnected from the body side harness, under the dash, I have power to the pink wire with ign. off and power to pink and black wire with white stripe with ign. on.
Are either of these for rear brake lights?

And I do not have power to the two wire connector for the brake pressure switch, on the engine side of the fire wall.

There are other issues, but I don't want to confuse the matter, so I'll post one thing at a time.

Thanks again.
 
You are correct in that the Brake lights go through the signal switch so initially my advice would be to mend the signal switch first and make sure the connector at the bottom of the the column is plugged in correctly and is tight.

If your flashers are just staying lit its likely the flasher unit simply needs replacing,if they aren't lighting at all it points to other issues.

Brake pressure switch goes through the ignition switch, so as above ensure the thing is plugged in correctly and that it is switching correctly as its a fussy thing if disturbed or the rod that actuates it is bent.
The brake lights themselves are lit from the switch actuated by the brake pedal if you are thinking the pressure switch does the brake lights job.
Pressure switch is just a warning there is an imbalance in the brake circuit from front to rear.
 
There is plenty of help on here so just ask about any issues, the wiring on CJs can be a head scratcher even for those who have a vague idea what we are looking at 😀
 
Sounds like I just need to wait for the new signal switch before going any further.
Yes I was thinking the brake lights are activated by the outside, proportioning valve. Thought that was a pressure switch, but after looking closer, I do see the plunger.
Flashers are not doing anything. Initially there was a weak clicking, but after the signal switch broke, there's nothing, so I'll wait for the signal switch for that also.

Glad to see the plunger type brake light switch. I bought a universal one that I was going to use, because I don't like the brake line pressure types, always fail, then the brake bleeding thing is a pain.

Thank you again.
 
Hi,
Found this schematic. You all have probably come across it, but in case someone was looking for one. I already see a discrepancy. I have a pink and a red-tr for the brake light switch. This shows two red-tr wires. But it's better than nothing.
I'll see if I can get it printed on a large sheet, hopefully easier to read.
Looks like you'll need to copy and paste.
Thanks

efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://off-road-bochum.de/wp-content/uploads/CJ-Wiring-Diagram-1981.pdf
 
Hi,
Found this schematic. You all have probably come across it, but in case someone was looking for one. I already see a discrepancy. I have a pink and a red-tr for the brake light switch. This shows two red-tr wires. But it's better than nothing.
I'll see if I can get it printed on a large sheet, hopefully easier to read.
Looks like you'll need to copy and paste.
Thanks

efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://off-road-bochum.de/wp-content/uploads/CJ-Wiring-Diagram-1981.pdf
This has been posted here before, (it's for an '82 and appears to have the matching colors for your brake light switch) :shrug:

 
The new signal switch is in. All lights including the hazards work. The directional blinkers do not. I saw there are 2 flashers, I tried swapping around the flashers, but no luck.
Any thoughts?

Thanks again.
 
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