Brake lights work only in gear?!?!

[Ray Fury]

Hey everyone. I'm new to the forum, so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I have a '65 Fury III four door hardtop with the A318. It is all original, and I am trying desperately to keep it that way.

I have a possible issue with the brake lights. They only work when the transmission is in gear. All lights are working (running lights, turn signals, hazard lights). But no brake light works in park or in neutral.

I'm baffled as to why this is happening. Is it possible that this is the way it's supposed to work?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[57fury440]

No, the brake lights should work anytime you hit the brake pedal. I would check to see where the power is coming from.

 

[CBODY67]

Welcome!

The brake lights work independently of anything other than the turn signal system, as the filament in the bulb which illuminate for the turn signals is the same one for the brake lights. Which means the brake light circuit goes through the turn signal switch.

The Chrysler factory service manuals are available for free download at www.mymp[ar.com, as are factory parts books. Might need to input that address manually as, for some reason, the links do not work when I type them on my laptop. The factory service manuals also have the complete electrical wiring schematics in them, back then.

CBODY67

 

[Ray Fury]

No, the brake lights should work anytime you hit the brake pedal. I would check to see where the power is coming from.

I thought so too, but they work fine as long as the car is in gear. I have no idea what to check on the electrical system to diagnose this problem. Thanks for the info.

 

[CBODY67]

Do the turn signals work similarly?

 

[Ray Fury]

Do the turn signals work similarly?

No, the turn signals work perfectly at any time.

 

[57fury440]

The turn signals should only work when the key is in the on position. The brake lights should work without the key.

 

[MrMoparCHP]

Make sure the hazard light switch is off.

Keep in mind the power source for the brake light is not the same as the turn light although they share the same filament in the bulb.

Worse case is you have a grounding problem which can cause bazar behavior in lighting.


Alan

 

[Big_John]

I can't figure out how having the car in park or neutral could have any effect on the brake lights.

The simplest circuit there is the wire from the neutral safety switch, so I would look at that first. There's a brown wire that comes up from the transmission to the starter relay. That should be the only wire to the terminal on the starter relay or the neutral switch on the transmission.

 

[Mudeblue]

Hey everyone. I'm new to the forum, so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I have a '65 Fury III four door hardtop with the A318. It is all original, and I am trying desperately to keep it that way.

I have a possible issue with the brake lights. They only work when the transmission is in gear. All lights are working (running lights, turn signals, hazard lights). But no brake light works in park or in neutral.

I'm baffled as to why this is happening. Is it possible that this is the way it's supposed to work?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

As mentioned, brakes and turn signals go through the switch in the steering column. Could be a short in the steering column/switch! Pull the steering wheel and check. Not an uncommon problem. I had twice, replaced the switch, problem solved!

 

[Ray Fury]

I think I have found a possible cause. At some time before I got the car, there must have been an issue with the fuse block causing someone to do some re-engineering with the wires. I'm pretty sure I can fix this problem, but it will require a new fuse block. Anybody know a good place to purchase a replacement?

 

[darth_linux]

NOS Mopar Fuse Block 1966 C Body 1968-9 Plymouth & Dodge A & B Body - Hiltop Auto Parts