New Member RX-7 Technical Post your first technical questions here, in an easy flame free environment, before jumping into the main technical sections.

Brake lights not working

Old Nov 28, 2008 | 12:35 PM
  #1  
JoeyMazda's Avatar
Thread Starter
"81 RX-7
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Easton,PA
PA Brake lights not working

I have an 81 rx-7. Taillights work but when I step on the brake they don't come on. It's not the bolts or the brake switch,both are good. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2008 | 01:58 PM
  #2  
Aaron Cake's Avatar
Engine, Not Motor
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Check the fuse.

Do you have 12V at the brake switch to ground?
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2008 | 06:45 PM
  #3  
JoeyMazda's Avatar
Thread Starter
"81 RX-7
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Easton,PA
Not the fuse either,I checked it
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2008 | 11:13 PM
  #4  
misterstyx69's Avatar
Retired Moderator, RIP
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (142)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 25,581
Likes: 136
From: Smiths Falls.(near Ottawa!.Mapquest IT!)
check the harness for the lights at the back of the car,behind the Rear carpetting.You could have a Bad harness.Did you check the bulbs or the Sockets?
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2008 | 11:28 PM
  #5  
JoeyMazda's Avatar
Thread Starter
"81 RX-7
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Easton,PA
Thanks for the suggestions but I checked it already and its good. I also checked the bolts, the fuse, brake switch,the groung is good. I'm still troubleshooting through everything. Hope to find it soon so I don't get stopped.
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2008 | 10:38 AM
  #6  
Aaron Cake's Avatar
Engine, Not Motor
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
OK. The '81 pulls power for the taillights directly from the battery via the white/red wire if my schematic is correct. Thus if you have no 12V at the 15A fuse or at the switch, then there is a break in the wire. The horn is on the same circuit. Does it work?
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2008 | 12:39 PM
  #7  
JoeyMazda's Avatar
Thread Starter
"81 RX-7
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Easton,PA
My horn is working. I took care of the problem temporarily by running an extra wire from the brake switch to the main brake taillight wire. I still have to get to the bottom of this because now the brake light on the dash is on.
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2008 | 02:14 PM
  #8  
norfy's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: uk
gotta be a broken wire then
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2008 | 09:51 PM
  #9  
JoeyMazda's Avatar
Thread Starter
"81 RX-7
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Easton,PA
After troubleshooting for a few hours I finally figured it out. It was the brake light switch relay.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
fastsaab
New Member RX-7 Technical
5
Aug 19, 2015 11:42 AM
Frisky Arab
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
13
Aug 18, 2015 05:30 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:20 AM.