IML: 1962 vs 1961 Brake Lights

[randalpark@xxxxxxx]

By the way, 1962 does not have a hydraulic brake light switch. I think 
1961 was the last year for that. Due to this, the brake light system 
would be slightly different. As posted earlier, with failure in a 
hydraulically switched system, THE FIRST THING TO CHECK IS THE BRAKE 
FLUID LEVEL.

Paul W.

-----Original Message-----
From: randalpark@xxxxxxx
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 6:23 PM
Subject: Re: IML: 1961 imperial no brake lights

I would totally agree, but were it not for the situation with my '62 
LeBaron.

The driver's side brake light worked only part of the time, then 
finally not at all. The turn signal always seemingly worked fine. I 
could see the rear one function, and the indicator inside the car 
blinked. I don't know if the front signal was working since I had no 
reason to think it wasn't, I never really checked. Exploring the wiring 
in the trunk, and to the tail light assembly, replacing the bulb, etc. 
resulted in no change.

Finally, I was working on the front end of the car, and discovered that 
one of the parking lenses was full of moisture. I also discovered that 
the front light did not blink. This car has been garaged most of the 
time for the last 20 years, the moisture is still a puzzlement. I was 
barely able to remove the screws attaching the lens with out ruining 
them. There are 6 or 8 of them, in three or four different lengths. 
Every one was a bear to get out. I discovered that the bulb was rusted 
into the socket, took everything apart, cleaned it all up, changed the 
bulb, and cleaned up the screws before re attaching the lens. The other 
side was fine.

Suddenly, the brake light on that side of the car was working again. I 
don't understand the connection. It seems that there could be a 
connection, though, if as has been posted, that the turn signal switch 
in that car some how completes the circuit for the brake lights. This 
only happened to one side of my car, so it may be completely different 
from the current question.

Paul W.

-----Original Message-----
From: DickB@xxxxxxxxx
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 5:13 PM
Subject: Re: IML: 1961 imperial no brake lights

THAT is decidedly wierd! Has someone modified your car? There should 
not be another flasher on the car unless someone has retrofitted it 
with emergency flashers (4-ways).

Regarding the various suggestions involving the parking light sockets 
etc. - there is no connection between the brake lights and the parking 
lights - they are on totally different circuits - at least they are 
SUPPOSED to be!

Electrical circuits can do strange things sometimes, especially when 
the car is old enough to develop spurious electrical paths that are not 
designed into the car, due to corrosion etc., so I cannot say for 
certain that a bad ground on a parking light socket can cause brake 
lights to fail - but I'd have to see a schematic of THAT circuit to 
convince me.

Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Battesby
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 11:05 AM
Subject: Re: IML: 1961 imperial no brake lights

ok Ill try that but you dont think it has anything to do with the 
flasher cause my blinkers work whether the flasher unit is plugged in 
or not ?

Dick Benjamin <DickB@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: This situation comes up about 6 
times a year on the IML - you can find many discussions in the 
archive... Most likely, the failure is in your turn signal switch.

If you study the wiring diagram in the FSM, you can see where to probe 
with your meter or test light to prove this to yourself.

The 12 volts from the brake light switch is routed through the turn 
signal switch to direct it to the rear light sockets, because the turn 
signals share the same filaments in the bulbs - the brake light current 
has to be interrupted by the turn signal switch when you are signalling 
for a turn at the same time you are stepping on the brakes.

When the turn signal switch becomes worn, it usually starts to 
interrupt the brake light signal even when you are NOT signalling for a 
turn.

Sometimes, you can make the problem go away (momentarily) by wiggling 
the turn signal switch. Have someone stand behind the car (or back up 
to a wall where you can see the red glow) and wiggle the TS switch 
while you press on the brake pedal - you may be able to find a position 
of the handle where the brake lights work - if this is the case, start 
searching for a replacement turn signal switch.

Dick Benjamin
----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Battesby
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 2:33 AM
Subject: IML: 1961 imperial no brake lights

Can someone give me some advise. Got no brake lights. I checked the 
power going to the switch its good . I put in a new switch its the kind 
that is in line with the fluid. No brake lights. Now could it be the 
bulbs cause the blinkers and tail lights work there all in one ? I 
don't think so There is something weird going on though. When I start 
the car It starts with tail lights on . Even though the light switch is 
off. But there not on solid they pulsate. To make this all go away all 
I have to do is turn the blinkers on and off and the tail light go off 
. Isn't that strange. Anyone have any advise ?
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