brake lights out
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 367
Likes: 5
From: connecticut
brake lights out my 3rd brakelight works, main ones do not, all other lights work. I have read this may be my turn signal switch, which I really do not want to replace, im having trouble testing with a voltmeter, I am colorblind so the color of the wires makes it really difficult. is there a way I can bypass the switch and run a jumper wire to the taillights? I may just bring it to a family friends shop...but I hate my car being worked on not by me. but then again electrical is my absolute crutch and I want nothing to do with it! but I want to drive my car, I have all the aftermarket suspension/ handling goodies coming in the mail along with a 3.90 rear assembly im almost done building and I don't want this stupid electrical issue to be whats stopping me. any ideas anyone?
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
No, you can't bypass the switch because that would eliminate your rear turn signals. Unlike later model Camaros, 93-97 Camaros and all 4th generation Firebirds run the brake circuit through the turn signal switch because the tail lights use the same bulbs for both brakes and signals. The switch handles splitting them so that one side can flash with the signals while the other side is on solid for the brakes.
It is quite likely that your switch is in fact the source of the problem but I would hate to replace it without testing to confirm. Since you have difficulty with the wire colors, you could go by the wire positions in the connector. You're looking for connector C216 which is a flat 11-pin connector attached to the steering column under the dash (there is another flat connector there that is similar but is not attached to the column). The connector has only 10 wires leaving an empty pin at one end. The wires you want to check are at the opposite end from the empty pin. The end wire is the input from the brake switch - test for power there when the brake pedal is depressed. The next two adjacent wires are the output to the tail lights (right and left respectively). Test them for power when the brake pedal is depressed. If you have power on the end wire but not on the next two then you know the switch is faulty and must be replaced. If you don't have power on the end wire then you have a problem with the connection between there and the brake switch.
It is quite likely that your switch is in fact the source of the problem but I would hate to replace it without testing to confirm. Since you have difficulty with the wire colors, you could go by the wire positions in the connector. You're looking for connector C216 which is a flat 11-pin connector attached to the steering column under the dash (there is another flat connector there that is similar but is not attached to the column). The connector has only 10 wires leaving an empty pin at one end. The wires you want to check are at the opposite end from the empty pin. The end wire is the input from the brake switch - test for power there when the brake pedal is depressed. The next two adjacent wires are the output to the tail lights (right and left respectively). Test them for power when the brake pedal is depressed. If you have power on the end wire but not on the next two then you know the switch is faulty and must be replaced. If you don't have power on the end wire then you have a problem with the connection between there and the brake switch.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 367
Likes: 5
From: connecticut
Thanks for the help with the wire locations, big help! I tracked it down and my tests were good, so i checked and the lights were on!! So i jiggled the connector and they flickered, pulled the connector apart, had corrosion in there, cleaned it up and resecured it to the steering column and hasbeen good since, thanks for the help!
