Blue1984Beast
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- May 13, 2016
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1984 Bronco XLT 351 Windsor. I searched the forum for answers and came up empty.
When I bought it used, there was a rigged trailer light harness and a rigged trailer power braking system. The turn signals would work for a while, then blow a fuse. Further inspection showed numerous snap splices, as well as a rigged turn signal system. Brake lights and hazards worked, though. I removed all the rigged trailer wiring, ripped out the harnesses etc, removed the snap splices, and rewired the rear lights to match the factory wiring diagrams. I didn't use new wires, just connected the old wires according to color coding.
Once this was done, I replaced all the bulbs. Turn signals worked, no blown fuses. Front hazards worked. Running lights worked. Here's the issue:
Brake lights don't work.
Rear hazards only work if a turn signal is activated.
I replaced the brake switch and the plug that connects to it (green wires)
I've tested the circuit from the fuse box to the plugs to the brake switch up to where it goes to steering column.
I made an extended wire, put a probe at the brake switch and probed the wire going directly to tail light. That tested good as well.
At this point, I said ***** it, and packed it in for the night. When I was cleaning up, the brake was still depressed by a two by four jammed against the seat. I went to close the tailgate and noticed brake lights were on. So I went with it. The next day, about 12 hours later, brake lights still worked. I got home about 8 hours later, only the passenger brake light worked, then a few minutes later it quit working.
I had my kid sit behind the Bronco while I went through each wire between each connection or plug and jiggled it, thinking it might be a loose connection. Nada.
The only thing I haven't been able to examine is the Directional Switch inside the steering column, because I don't have a steering wheel puller.
Now I'm back to where I started. No brake lights. Rear hazards only work if turn signal is activated. I've asked everyone I know who has any auto or electrical knowledge, and they're drawing a blank. One friend suggested a bad relay, but I can't find a relay on the wiring diagram that would cause this.
If anyone can suggest what I should do next, or what might be the issue, I'd greatly appreciate it. I've been messing with this for a week and I'm getting to the point where my next option would be taking it to a mechanic and paying more money than I can afford...
When I bought it used, there was a rigged trailer light harness and a rigged trailer power braking system. The turn signals would work for a while, then blow a fuse. Further inspection showed numerous snap splices, as well as a rigged turn signal system. Brake lights and hazards worked, though. I removed all the rigged trailer wiring, ripped out the harnesses etc, removed the snap splices, and rewired the rear lights to match the factory wiring diagrams. I didn't use new wires, just connected the old wires according to color coding.
Once this was done, I replaced all the bulbs. Turn signals worked, no blown fuses. Front hazards worked. Running lights worked. Here's the issue:
Brake lights don't work.
Rear hazards only work if a turn signal is activated.
I replaced the brake switch and the plug that connects to it (green wires)
I've tested the circuit from the fuse box to the plugs to the brake switch up to where it goes to steering column.
I made an extended wire, put a probe at the brake switch and probed the wire going directly to tail light. That tested good as well.
At this point, I said ***** it, and packed it in for the night. When I was cleaning up, the brake was still depressed by a two by four jammed against the seat. I went to close the tailgate and noticed brake lights were on. So I went with it. The next day, about 12 hours later, brake lights still worked. I got home about 8 hours later, only the passenger brake light worked, then a few minutes later it quit working.
I had my kid sit behind the Bronco while I went through each wire between each connection or plug and jiggled it, thinking it might be a loose connection. Nada.
The only thing I haven't been able to examine is the Directional Switch inside the steering column, because I don't have a steering wheel puller.
Now I'm back to where I started. No brake lights. Rear hazards only work if turn signal is activated. I've asked everyone I know who has any auto or electrical knowledge, and they're drawing a blank. One friend suggested a bad relay, but I can't find a relay on the wiring diagram that would cause this.
If anyone can suggest what I should do next, or what might be the issue, I'd greatly appreciate it. I've been messing with this for a week and I'm getting to the point where my next option would be taking it to a mechanic and paying more money than I can afford...