Weird lights issue. Some guidance?

[cnmsales]

OK so when I first bought the net from my buddy the dash lights didn't work at all. Then one day they started working all of a sudden. No clue what changed to make this happen.

I have my radio tied into the fuse panel under the dash. Tonight I went to start the car and something happened and I lost all power. Sure enough one of the fuses had blown. So I went ahead and replaced all 6 of them. Disconnected the memory cable and will be running that direct to the battery tomorrow.

Also, my brake lights don't work at all. So I took it out tonight and pulled into a parking lot and sat in front of a storefront window so I could see what they are doing.

Problem #1. Weather I have the lights on or not when the car is running the back lights stay on. Pressing the brakes do nothing to the lights. If the car is turned off the brake lights go off like normal. With the car off and the headlights turned on the back lights stay on as well. Which I would expect to be normal.

Any ideas? Are there any other fuses I might need to look at other then the 6 under the dash? Any relay switches I need to look at and possibly change?

Also, under the dash, by the break pedal you have the little spring switch that goes up and down. As it stands now my break pedal never hits it when pressing the brakes, not sure if its supposed to but I would assume it should? On this switch you have two wires that plug into it. Is it possible these are plugged in backwards? It would seem this would explain why the lights stay on no matter what?

Also, my buddy has the brake pedal pulled and held up with a bungee tie because when the pedal sits in the normal position the brake lights stay on even if the car is off and headlights are off? Haven't tested this since having the lights problem to see if that is still the case.


Any ideas on what I might be able to check?

I know the dash lights issue and the brake lights issue are probably two separate problems. Any help would be appreciated.

[cnmsales]

So to add to this.

I went out and undid the bungee cord and let the brake pedal hand were its supposed to with the car off and the brake lights do not come on at all with it this way.

To add to this MESS.

My dome light normally works fine. When I just went to check the brake situation it came on when opening the door. However it went off when I dropped the brake pedal. Now it wont come on at all. When dropping the pedal it did flash slightly a few times before it went out so I suppose it could be the bulb went out.

Standing by for any info you can provide.

[67440Dodge]

When the brake pedal is not depressed, the pushrod should rest against the switch. When you press down on it, the pushrod moves away from the switch, closing the circuit and turning the brake lights on. Because your pushrod never contacts the switch, the brake lights are constantly on. That problem sounds like the brake pedal is sitting too low at rest. The cause of that could be a incorrect brake pedal pushrod, or a incorrect master cylinder.

Does this car have a aluminum master cylinder with the plastic reservoir?

[cnmsales]

The master cylinder is a steel one. Judging by the rust on it I would venture to guess it may be the original?

Also, like I said, the lights dont come on at all no matter what now, so I feel like im dealing with two separate issues?

Could the wiring on the switch be backwards causing it to stay on when it should be off?

[67440Dodge]

Naw.. wiring the switch backwards won't make a difference. Do you have power to the switch at all?

When you say "the lights dont come on at all no matter what now", do you mean just the brake lights or the dome light and brake lights?

[cnmsales]

Ok so first off, I may have a fuse issue. Had another one burnt out today when I checked. So first off. There are 6 fuses under the dash. From door to center console can anyone tell me what they are? And what amperage I should be using on each? Probably need to get those right before I start chasing down any lights issues.

[cnmsales]

From what I have found on the chilton subscription sight most of them should be 20 amps? Although it has more listed then the 6 I have under the dash?

Im assuming that some of these are located elsewhere Id like to start by replacing all the fuses, then the bulbs I need to replace. But im not sure where all of them are and which ones need what amperage. I currently have 2 amps on all 6 under the dash and am assuming this is why some stuff is currently not working anymore. Will 35 amps be ok or should I get exactly 20?

[67r/t4speeder]

Dont put 35s in there I can get you a list of proper size tomorrow, plus clean the area the fuse contacts since this gets corroded.

[67440Dodge]

I might suggest investing in a wiring diagram from John Anastosio.. they are easy to read and are color coded to the wires.

Some think it's a little pricey for a laminated sheet of paper, but it's worth it's weight in gold when you're on your back under the dash trying to chase wires..

http://classiccarwiring.com/

[cnmsales]

Ok so we might as well start over with my issues. Forget everything I have said up to this point I went and messed with it and figured out a few things.

#1 I was having some fuse issues. For now all 6 have been replaced with 35amp fuses. I wont be driving it for a few weeks and will replace once i get the proper information.

Now onto the brakes.

#1 The brake lights. So I got to thinking after playing with it and realized I may have blown bulbs. So I went to parts store and got two new ones and replaced. The passenger side brake light works exactly as it should (with the exception of the switch under the dash which ill get to next.) When the headlights are on it comes on, and when you press the brake light it gets brighter.

Now the driver side is having problems and I am guessing a short possibly? When I first started playing with it tonight it would flash off and on when head lights were off, but only solid when head lights were on. (This is what gave me the idea the bulbs might be bad)

Now it comes on solid when you put the headlights on but doesn't flash at all when pressing the brakes. Headlights on or off nothing happens, but it was flashing earlier before I changed out the bulbs.

So this is what I need advice on with this. Could I have a bad bulb from orielys? I might pull the passenger side out tomorrow and swap them to see if the problem follows it. Or am I looking at a possible issue with a short? It seems like if I remember right that light works off and on like it has a short in it.


(As a side note, the light on the dash just to the bottom right of the radio was working today but has since stopped for some reason. I dont think its the bulb)



Now for issue #2 with the brake light switch under the dash. Like I said before, my buddy has the brake petal pulled and held up with a bungee cord as the brake lights stay on when this is not done. I know it keeps being suggested the arm on the pedal is to low, but this doesn't seem right to me. The reason I say this is even if the rod were adjusted this would make the brake pedal sit way to high. Practically by your knees. It seems to be the brake light switch doesn't sit low enough. Now im sure the rod not coming back enough is some of it, but just seems like this switch is supposed to sit lower then it does, but I cant see a way you would adjust this? Im not to worried about this as the front passenger side tire is leaking brake fluid, enough that I have to replace it about every time I drive it. So when I bring this to someone to fix for me I am hoping they will be able to fix the switch/pedal issue as well.


67r/t4speeder - You mentioned cleaning each side of the clamps that hold the fuses in place. How do I clean these properly?


Many thanks to both of you for your help and advice.