It’s hard for me to say, the emergency brake light is activated by either the switch on the emergency brake or the proportioning valve under the master cylinder. I don’t think that has anything to do with the brake lights. It sounds like the turn signal switch is ok though..

 

Correct the red "BRAKE" so called idiot light has nothing to do with the rear break lights. E- brake switch or proportioning valve on the brake master cylinder are the two control points.

Check that the harness lead at the firewall is plugged in at the master cylinder, and that the switch is good at the e-brake. Check the e brake ground too.

 

Geezer... if you figure the turn signal switch is ok. Where do I go from here to fix the brake light problem.

 

Check the wire color that comes out of the brake light switch and trace it to the T/S sw. Check to see if you have power from brake light sw going into T/S switch if so Replace T/S switch. You are correct thinking that the brake lights go thru the T/S sw.

Jeff

 

If the wiring is the same as a '67 Camaro:

In the curved bundle connector that goes to the turn stalk, a dark green and yellow wire are the ones feeding the back brake lights and hazards. Jumper the brake switch and see if they have 12 volts. That gets connected through the turn signal switch.

This is from some information I sketched out the other day and haven't vetted yet, so I don't promise it's 100%...

RW

 

Jeff and RW.... Going to the garage... that helps

I shall return!

Rich

 

Unplugged the steering column harness. Verified power at the brake light switch at brake pedal. Ran jumper wire from brake light switch green wire on steering column harness. Brake light comes on, Moved jumper to yellow wire. Opposite brake light comes on.

Found and A/C Delco Steering Column Harness local. Will pick it up today and see what gives.

 

Sounds like turn signal switch. If rear turn lights work and brakes don't, the wires from the turn switch to tail lights is still good. Since you have power out of the brake light switch to turn switch, there is a disconnect at the switch from that wire... Meaning either the brake light wire from the turn switch connector to the switch is bad/cut or the mechanical part of the turn switch for brake lights is broken.

If your brake differential switch was tripped, it will have to be centered again to get the BRAKE dash light to go out. Or ether wire, diff. switch or e-brake switch, could be shorting to ground. I guess either of the switches could be bad, too...

 

It was the turn signal switch.

So here is what I finally did.

Disconnected the steering column harness plug at the base of the steering column and jumpered the the wires to the brake lights. Then I plugged in the new harness and everything worked correctly with it plugged in. New turn signal switch installed.

Thanks for your help guys!

Rich