49 Custom no brake lights
 

I had good brake & tail lights . One night I noticed my tail lights were very dim and I had no brake lights. Where do I start looking for the problem ?

Re: 49 Custom no brake lights
 

Check ground from bulb body to frame to battery . Start at the battery and work towards the socket . If ok check switch ,voltage in and out . If ok check brake pressure switch .

Re: 49 Custom no brake lights
 

I have found almost all light issues ended up being a ground problem. Good luck!!

Re: 49 Custom no brake lights
 

Do you have factory directionals. I have found bad connections at the bullets coming from the switch. That being said, you can test with a test light. There is also a brake light fuse so far up in the dash it is unbelievable. If I'm ever in there again I will replace it with a circuit breaker.

Re: 49 Custom no brake lights
 

Also be aware that the stoplight switches in these cars can be problematic, especially with DOT-5 brake fluid.

Re: 49 Custom no brake lights
 

Harley Davidson makes a stop light switch that fits the hollow bolt in the rear of the MC. They are also made to bee compatible with DOT 5l

Re: 49 Custom no brake lights
 

i am voting on the brake light switch being bad.....

Re: 49 Custom no brake lights
 

Stop light switch; make sure there is power (one of the two wires) if yes jump the two
wires stop lights now work switch is junk, if not check the wire all the way back to lights
troublesome bullet connectors of course ground.
Everybody should have about a 20 foot long jumper wire and a test light in their tool box.
so if you jump the two switch wires then take bulbs out and probe the socket with test
light that has a known good ground lf test light lights its the housing ground.

Re: 49 Custom no brake lights
 

You probably should use a meter for testing. I had a problem with no brake lights. It was low voltage (3volts)to the brake light switch, there was enough juice to light the test light but not enough to operate the brake lights. Drove me nuts for a day or so. The Harbor Freight meters work well for the cost. Free with coupon