The Ford Barn

steve40490 · 12-17-2018, 01:28 PM

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 ?

Ggmac · 12-17-2018, 01:44 PM

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 .

50fordcoupeman · 12-17-2018, 06:47 PM

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

Frank Miller · 12-18-2018, 08:18 AM

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.

tubman · 12-18-2018, 08:56 AM

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

V12Bill · 12-18-2018, 02:23 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

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

nelsb01 · 12-18-2018, 06:31 PM

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

big job · 12-19-2018, 03:39 AM

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.

slowforty · 12-19-2018, 08:25 AM

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

12-17-2018, 01:28 PM	#1
steve40490 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Gaston,SC Posts: 19	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 ?

12-17-2018, 01:44 PM	#2
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,095	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 .

12-17-2018, 06:47 PM	#3
50fordcoupeman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: LaGrande Oregon Posts: 865	Re: 49 Custom no brake lights I have found almost all light issues ended up being a ground problem. Good luck!!

12-18-2018, 08:18 AM	#4
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	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. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

12-18-2018, 08:56 AM	#5
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,312	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.

12-18-2018, 02:23 PM	#6
V12Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mt. Holly,NJ Posts: 1,822	Re: 49 Custom no brake lights Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 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

12-18-2018, 06:31 PM	#7
nelsb01 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Up North Posts: 626	Re: 49 Custom no brake lights i am voting on the brake light switch being bad.....

12-19-2018, 03:39 AM	#8
big job Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dighton, Mass Posts: 1,230	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.

12-19-2018, 08:25 AM	#9
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,060	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