Brake Lights Inop

I have a 73 Vette.  I have had no issues to date with the tail lights working, with the exception of the brake lights.  I had to replace the switch located above the brake lever in 2009, shortly after I bought the car.  Now, for some other reason, my brake lights do not work again.  I installed a new switch but that did not work. The bulbs are good to go.  All other tail lights and turn signals work, just not the brake lights.  Any ideas?  

this is just off the top of my head.. without researching it but i am limited on time right now..

do the turn signals light up the bulbs  on one side at a time.. left.. then right????

do the hazard lights flash when turned on..


this is the stop light switch with the optional cruise control..  



when the button is depressed as its normal state is with the brake pedal laying against it..    one set of contact.. will be open..    

the other set of contacts will be closed...

the open set with the button depressed are for the stop lights...

so do you have power to one wire  on one set of contacts..

when you depress the brake pedal.. does the other wire get power through the switch..  

you can probe at the white wire on the turn signal switch connector.. as that is where the wire goes..

once inside the turn signal switch..     the brake light circuit is split left or right inside the turn signal switch..  and can be send to either the left of right stop/turn signal bulb...

so... see if the turn signals work first...

then check the hazard lights...   see if they all light up...

if they do.. then get under the dash.. probe the connectors on the stop light switch..   power on one side..  then power on the next terminal when the pedal is depressed..    

see if you get power to the white wire on the turn signal switch...

white is from the stop light switch

yellow  is to one  brake light

dark green to the other brake light

you could need a new turn signal switch..




these are only 26 bucks at AZ but a pain to install with the tilt and telescopic column.. but its NOT impossible .. just a little more trouble..  

you will notice.. that the white wire is at one end...

and then dark green then yellow are next to it.. makes it easy to test..

the turn signal flasher output and the hazard output come in on different wires..  

Thanks for the help, I'll give it a try.  

F.Y.I.

I'm just going to ad to Wayne's PITA about installing that switch. If you can get the drivers side seat out it will help you 10/Fold. If your a tall guy see if you can get a shorter friend (or maybe someone you don't like so much)..LOL...to help.

The other way if you can get it on a lift.....Once you have it adjusted check it a bunch of times. It will almost adjust itself the first time you press on the brake pedal....Good Luck
Thank's
Bob