Brake indicator light not working

[Peer81]

Well, a very simple question.

When I put the key on acc the brake indicator light will not go on, when the engine is running the light will still no go on with or without the handbrake applied. Thing is, I checked the bulb and that is fine. I turned the cluster to see behind it. I check the left and right connector and on both the left and right connector is 12 volt, this should be correct when the engine is running without the handbrake applied but not in the acc. position... So I'm looking for a switch that will ground in the acc. position and send 12v if everything is save when the engine is running.

Btw. Yes I have the manuals but to be honest I'm to lazy to dig into them right now. Hope somebody can point me in a direction..

Greetings Peter

 

[Peer81]

Some extra info, looked in the manual today not a big help except when the bulb is broken.
I'm thinking in two directions, first I checked the voltage at the bulbsocket terminals and not at the wiring harness connector (that connects to the cluster) maybe the plastic wiring harnes behind the cluster is putting 12v on the other terminal because of a shortage. Option is to check voltage at the right wiring harness connector terminal.
Second. I think there is only one switch that grounds the system (to turn on the bulb) in the acc. position and that is the ignition switch. What if the ignition switch (the part for the brake indicator bulb) stays in the run position so it sends 12v on the negative side terminal to the bulb (and cancelling the bulb). Is there some way to check this and are there some more logical options.
I'm also thinking what if it is the ignition switch, will it also "block" the brake indicator light when the hand brake is applied?

Greetings Peter

 

[Peer81]

Little update in this self supporting topic...

Looks like only one side should have 12v and the other side should be ground (or nothing) but not 12v. So I need to check the connector that goes into the dash cluster to see of the terminal in there also gives 12v. If not then the problem lays in the plastic circuit behind the cluster. If the connector gives 12v then I need to dig deeper.

Groeten Peter

 

[Peer81]

Small update.

Checked the voltage again today. Print circuit seems to be perfect. At the connector one pole seems to have 12v so that is correct the other one no voltage so that is also correct. Also checked the ground wire but it doesn't seem to ground where / when it should. Also with the handbrake on no ground connection. So I'm going to concentrate this search in the ground wire system and hope to find the problem there.

Groeten Peter

 

[damoroso]

Peter,

I'm not sure (can't check it in the cars current condition) but I think the brake light only comes on if the parking brake is set or there's a problem. I don't remember it being on with the key in the acc position.....then again, it could be my memory!!! I'll look through the books I have and see if I can learn anything conclusive...

 

[6880 Mike]

...I think the brake light only comes on if the parking brake is set or there's a problem....

I agree. Check the switch on the e-brake.

 

[Peer81]

Sorry, my mistake! It shouldn't come on in the acc position but in the start position to check if the bulb is still working. The problem remains the same, no brake light in the run position or when I activate the handbrake.

I'm going the check the continuity of the ground wire between the handbrake, brake balance thing, steering column and the brake indicator light connector.

Groeten Peter

 

[Peer81]

One step closer to solving this problem.

First checked the wiring between the tacho display connector and the brake distribution block connector, no problems there. Next the hand brake, turns out the switch at the handbrake has some play in it, so I'm looking into it to replace it or something else. And last the steering column, not checked still need to see where the problem it in the wiring to the steering column (ground problem).

Groeten Peter

 

[damoroso]

Good luck Peter, we're all interested to hear what you find!!

 

[Peer81]

Little update, with help from Jim Shea First I checked the wiring from the instrument panel connector to the ignition switch connector and it is perfect. The ground from the steering column jacket to the negative battery terminal is also perfect (little less than perfect but still oke).
There is no connection between the G1 pin at the ignition switch (in start) and the steering column jacket, there is even no connection (in start) between the G1 pin (or G2 pin) and the ignition switch metal jacket. So I need to focus on the ignition switch and why it isn't grounding the G1 and G2 when in start.

Next thing is to take the switch off the steering column jacket and see what is wrong.
(easy to use the same pm I send Jim as a reply )

Btw, I think I fixed the handbrake problem. Turned the ground pin a little and now it grounds like new


Groeten Peter

 

[Peer81]

Found the problem today!

Took apart the ignition switch. The 2 ground terminals should be grounded by a metal cilinder above 2 springs that contacts the metal casing in the start position. Mine had one new (tall) spring and one old (lower) spring so the metal cilinder wasn't lying horizontal and wasn't grounding in a good way. Fixed the problem with another spring but also bought another switch just in case. Also cleaned the other switch and installed that one first. And the brake light came on when in the start position So problem fixed!

Btw. The brake light is also working perfect in the hand brake, fixed that the last time

Groeten Peter