Rear Brake Light Issue

Bob Bidonde

Bob Bidonde

Well-known member
I am posting this thinking that one or more of you all may have had this issue & can shed some light on what went wrong.

My Victoria has 12V, a harness with the integrated Signal Stat 900 Turn Signals, a 1931 style stop light switch & LED taillights.

The left rear brake light & turn signal light do not work, but the left front signal works. Also, the left rear running lights work. I have ruled out the LED light assembly by replacing it with a new one. Same problem when the headlights are ON. The right rear brake light & turn signal work fine.

I have narrowed the cause to the Signal Stat switch and the brake light switch. One of these is the culprit.

To be prepared, I went to order a reproduction brake light switch, the good one made by A&L. Unfortunately, I find that the A&L switch is out of stock, so I have no choice but to purchase the switch made in China. My stock of original switches is exhausted.

Your thoughts will be appreciated.
 
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If one brake light works properly it’s most likely NOT the switch.
go to the connection between the turn signal switch and harness and divide the system— use a test light ( voltmeter can say voltage but connections can pass no load voltage but fail under load)
 
I suspect a broken wire or loose connection in or from the Signal Stat. With these switches, the brake light wiring is duplicated right and left, and routes through he turn signal switch rather than directly to the brake lights.
 
I agree with the logic that the problem is in the Signal Stat because the right rear signal & brake lights work as they should. More to follow as soon as the Nor'easter blows out of town.
 
The problem is fixed. After disassembling the Signal Stat,I found nothing wrong inside of it. Then I replaced the electronic flasher, but still no joy. The right side taillight has all functions working, so I ruled out the brake light switch. The problem was the bullet connections of the LH taillight pigtails to the main lighting harness. For the second time, the bullet connections had lousy to no continuity. Fixed the connections, encapsulated them with shrink tubing and all is well.
 
I recently had the exact issue on my '30 roadster and found a bad bullet connector under the rear fender on the wire for the turn/brake light. New connector (used a heat shrink solder connector) - problem solved.
 
Last evening the LH rear turn signal failed again. There is an open circuit somewhere and it may be in the bullet connectors. Once again, more to follow.
 
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