No Brake Lights! Have A Fix-It Ticket!!!

[DoctorMuffn]

Car: 1973 240Z

Sorry if I missed it, but I did a search and couldn't find anything exactly relevant. Furthermore, time is not on my side. Here's the problem:

I got pulled over for no brake lights. The asshole (I know not all sheriffs are assholes but this one particularly was) hit me up for other stuff too, but I'll fight that in court. Unfortunately court is March the 24th, and I need to post bail and show correction of lighting the 23rd. That's the background and here's the progress.

I've check my fuses; okay. I've checked the pedal switch; shows continuity and functions properly (pedal up creates and open, pedal depressed closes the circuit). Turn signals work. Light bulbs have been replaced. Interesting to note: with any turn signal on if I pull the hazard switch out (on) it will cause the turn signal to stop; hazard switch in (off) lets her blink again. They blink at normal frequencies (not too fast not too slow) and both left and right blinks are relatively the same. Where do I go now?

It seems the hazard switch might be at fault, but when I called MotorsportAuto they said the switches rarely go out, but the relay is a more likely culprit. Plus the hazard switch is a bitch to remove. Next major component in the circuit is of course the relay, but I can't make any sense of the relay clump in the passenger foot well. Are there any other components to check and can someone explain the workings of the entire circuit? My orange factory manual is quite vague, and the CD is not friendly to me (it only shows part numbers not rebuild/troubleshooting diagrams or trees).

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a large assortment of tools including the most important - a DVOM. I can do tests I just need direction.

Thanks in advance,

Sean

[Bambikiller240]

Wiring isn't my bag either, but have you tried to follow the wiring with a simple test light to see if the circuit operates properly anywhere (upstream from the actual brake lights)? That would tell you if/where a break in the circuit might be located. I don't know anything about the relays.

[seerex]

start at the light bulb socket and work back might be long but you will find your issue, tester and a helper, also start at the brake switch at the pedal and work forward sounds stupid but worked for me

[Curtis240Z]

If you have 12V to the brake switch, and you mentioned that the switch works, then you have a broken wire to the lights. Try and run a wire from the brake switch to the lights.

[gramercyjam]

I'd check the combination switch (turn signal switch) too if it is looking like the brake light switch works. It's been a while since I had one in my Z, so the memory is a little fuzzy, but it is wired into the brake lights too. A wire fell off the switch on mine, and just needed to be soldered back on the switch for the brake lights to work again.

[240ZX]

I'd check the combination switch (turn signal switch) too if it is looking like the brake light switch works. It's been a while since I had one in my Z, so the memory is a little fuzzy, but it is wired into the brake lights too. A wire fell off the switch on mine, and just needed to be soldered back on the switch for the brake lights to work again.

I tend to agree with John. I remember going through this same exercise and finally narrowed it down to the combinations switch (turn signal assy unit). Sure enough, the damn thing was just worn out...imagine that after 30+ years. Anyway, I just broke down and bought a new one for around $90.00 and everything is grand once again!!! It's worth looking at Sean.

[Bambikiller240]

Use your DVOM and/or test light to confirm which (if any) parts of the circuit work before you go replacing the most expensive part of the circuit without knowing that it is the faulty part..

[EScanlon]

You haven't mentioned if the lights operate with the HAZARD switch alone.

Simply turn on the Haz Sw, and check your lights front and back. If no light check your Hazard Switch FLASHER Unit. This should be on the passenger kick panel, it is a round barrel shaped tube. The flasher unit by the steering column is for the turn signals.

When those guys at MSA refer to the RELAY, they are referring to the FLASHER unit.

There are only two RELAY'S in the 240's circuitry for the HORN and the ACCESSORY neither of which are part of this circuit.

Now if that fails, then check the Green/Yellow wire going to the turn signal portion of the combination switch and check for continuity to the Hazard Flasher Plug in, connect to the Blue/White wire there. If no continuity, your break is probably where the Haz Flash ties into the circuit (where the Blue/White connects to the Green/Yellow).

But check things out first.

Enrique

[DoctorMuffn]

I'm elated to see all the replies. I've checked a few things already, but it was a little difficult going over my turn signal switch with the DVOM. Besides, I don't think it's out since it works the turn signals, but I'll check it again. I will look for the flasher unit; especially since I did fail to mention that when the hazards are "pulled" on they do not come on.

I want to do this right and not become a backyard mechanic who replaces things on a whim and then the next when the problem is yet to be resolved. I am getting a better picture of what the circuit looks like, and I'm going down to my car right now to test that flasher. If I can't find it I'll take a picture. Anyway, thanks again to everyone for taking the time to share your experiences and recommendations. I'll be sure to let you know what the problem is when I finally find it and get my brake lights back.

[Mike]

Just go to court and plead NOT GUILTY.

[Bambikiller240]

Just go to court and plead NOT GUILTY.

Ooooh, "Legal Advice!"

[Mike]

Ooooh, "Legal Advice!"

haha... yeah, you got me. I just think that all traffic cops need to be challenged.