help! driver's side brake light works intermittently

[Pir0San]

Alright, so I pulled my dash to replace some bulbs in my gauges, and to take out all of the wiring that the P.O. had put in for his amp install (which is no longer there), as well as to remove all of my aftermarket air conditioning wiring. When I went to disconnect the wires that go to the brake light switch (I'm not sure if this is the correct name, but I believe it works) one of the wires ripped off of the unit itself (I know, I probably pulled too hard). I pulled the unit out, and soldered it back onto the connector, then tested it with a multimeter, and it was working just fine. I put it back onto the car, and the drivers side brake light now does not work all of the time. I had messed with it for a few minutes to see what the issue was, I took the bulb out, cleaned it and the connector with electrical cleaner spray, and it would work half of the time. I finally got it to work, but I was informed today that the light was not working on the driver's side.

I don't believe it to be the brake light switch, because it's just an intermediate, correct? If so, that means that both brake lights would not work if it were defective. This leads me into thinking that there is another wire that is disconnected/loose/my connector for the light itself is bad (upon visual inspection, there was no corrosion). I'm trying to read this wiring diagram, and I can't understand it for the life of me. What color wiring should I need to find/follow, and where are the wiring connectors located at? Could I have a loose connection going to the drivers side light that only works some of the time, or could it be another issue? I'm really at a loss for words on this one.

[Arne]

On 240Z's, the brake lights go from the brake light switch through the turn signal switch which is where it is split for left and right sides. Since only one side is affected, that is the most likely place to look for your problem.

[EScanlon]

And / Or your Hazard Light Switch which actually is ahead of the turn signal switch.

E

[Arne]

And / Or your Hazard Light Switch which actually is ahead of the turn signal switch.

True. But I don't think the brake light circuit splits into the two sides until it reaches the turn signal switch. So to be affecting one side only I still think the problem must be at the switch.

[bpilati]

How about the grounding point over the gas tank?

[Arne]

How about the grounding point over the gas tank?

Would probably affect both sides, not just one.

[EScanlon]

Arne:

Check your wiring diagram, you'll note that the individual right and left AND front and rear circuits ALL come together through the hazard switch.

In fact, it's the hazard switch that shunts everything together.

E

[Arne]

Hmm, the diagram I have (which I sometimes wonder about - it doesn't show the heater blower circuit at all) shows that in the off position the hazard just passes the brake light signal to the turn signal switch to be split into left and right signals. When the hazard switch is activated it shuts off the brake light pass-through and activates the two sides itself. So if my diagram is accurate, I can't see how it could keep one side from working. It may be able to send a false signal to one side or the other, but not keep a single side from working.