Re: IML: Brake lights not working on a 74

[Christopher H <imperial67@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The taillamps and brake lamps are on entirely different fuses and circuits. Their filaments just happen to reside inside the same bulbs, but there's two filaments in these bulbs, one dim and one bright.

A few things to check:
1. Is the fuse truly OK? (Do the hazard flashers and interior lights work? They are on the same fuse.)
2. Is the switch ok? You can remove the two-wire connector from the plunger-style switch above the brake pedal and jump the two wires together. If this makes the brake lamps turn on, your switch is either bad or misadjusted.
3. Forgive the simplistic nature of this one, but do you know if the bulbs are good (on the bright filament used by the brake lamps and turn signals)? Easiest way to check that is to try the hazard flashers (assuming a yes answer to question 1 above) or turn signals. It's possible that all four of your bulbs have burned out over time, at least on the bright filament.

After that, it's a matter of tracing the wiring between the brake pedal switch and the rear of the car, a longer process we can help you with later (though that FSM would come in handy for this).

By the way, both the Owner's Manual and FSM for your car are on the website: http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1974/index.htm

Chris in LA
78 NYB Salon

-----Original Message-----
>From: Zack Morton <zmorty74@xxxxxxx>
>Sent: Jun 2, 2006 8:58 AM
>To: IML <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: IML: Brake lights not working on a 74
>
>Hello all,
>	I recently discovered that for an unknown amount of time, my brake  
>lights have not been working.  The driving lights work fine when the  
>lights are on, but they don't get brighter when I apply the brakes.   
>And when the lights are off, nothing happens when I apply the  
>brakes.  The fuse is fine, and none of the bulbs are burned out.  I'm  
>home from college for the summer and I mistakenly left my FSM up at  
>my college residence.  I can get it in a few weeks, but obviously I  
>don't want to go too long without working brake lights.  Does anyone  
>have any suggestions?  Ideas?  I'd appreciate any help.  Thanks!
>
>	Sincerely,
>		Zack Morton
>		1974 4dr. LeBaron
>
>
>-----------------  http://www.imperialclub.com  -----------------
>This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please 
>reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be 
>shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
>Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm
>



-----------------  http://www.imperialclub.com  -----------------
This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please 
reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be 
shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm