1966 Continental Coupe Brake Light Issue

Bill –

Martin from Toronto, Canada. Great website and blog service! My 66 2 door coupe with non-tilt steering wheel has a rear left side brake light issue. Brake light won’t come on when engine is running, but typically will come on when engine is off. But, with engine running and right turn signal turned on, left brake light does come on. The turn signal post connection seems solid, not loose. Is this a faulty brake relay issue?

Many thanks in advance.

Martin

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Martin –

Welcome to our blog. Anyone properly working on an issue such as this { a do it yourselfer or an “experienced electrical technician” } will use a good correct electrical wiring diagram and a test light to trace the brake light circuit in order to properly diagnose and repair the fault. The problem may be a poor ground or a bad connection etc.  Correctly tracing the circuit in an orderly manner as suggested above will help to reveal your faulty circuit. Even experienced techs that work on issues such as this discover NEW types of poor electrical connections very often so be patient. Let us know what you find.

Sincerely,

Bill

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Hi Bill,

Thanks for your reply.  Winter has arrived here and I’ve stored my baby until spring.  I have a factory shop manual, but tracing this fault is beyond my diagnostic skills.  I’ll take the car to a competent auto electrician in the spring and let you know what he uncovers.  Don’t you just love electrical gremlins!

Send the sun our way!

Martin

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Martin –

This plan sounds like a good idea in your case. Show this blog to your technician and make sure that he has a good, and correct wiring diagram for the job ahead. Over the years I have learned many times that the correct wiring diagram can be the most valuable tool in my tool box. 

Good luck and we look forward to hear the results from you in the spring. We should have the correct parts available for the repair if needed .

Bill