Brake lights all dont work

[alex_eats_rice]

Today I put my old Red/Clear tail-lights on my Girlfriend's CB7, after everything was bolted and plugged up we tested the tail lights, and NONE of the Brake lights work. Even the 3rd tail light up by the window (All bulbs worked perfect before the tail light swap..

The running lights, Blinkers, and reverse lights all STILL DO work.. just no brake lights light up when brake pedal is pushed down.
I checked the fuses, nothing was blown.

I specifically replaced the Backup/ Meter-lights 10a in the kick panel fuse-box & checked the "small light" fuse, under hood. Nothing has worked so far. bulbs are all fairly new.
Checked every fuse on the car and they are all good according to my tester.
Tried wiggling the harness and the wires, to no avail.
Tried plugging in her old tail lights and still no brake lights,

Any ideas? Much appreciated
It's her daily driver and I cant have her driving her CB7 around town like this, don't want her to get in an accident like I had.

[sheltonm]

May be you have a bad ground somewhere.

[Raf99]

Do the old lights work?
Do you have any brake lights on in the dash? (indicating something is broken)

[alex_eats_rice]

Do the old lights work?
Do you have any brake lights on in the dash? (indicating something is broken)

I tried plugging in her old lights, they didn't light up when the brake is pushed.
Nope, the indicator that lets me know my brake lights are out on the cluster is not on, acts normal even know the brake lights don't work.

[Crankshaft]

Did you check the brake light switch? The rubber piece on the pedal that makes contact with the switch tends to break off at this age, the switch itself might be bad too(for this you can check for power at the bulb connector while brakes are being applied or ground depending on how switch is wired)

[Grumpys93]

Did you check the brake light switch? The rubber piece on the pedal that makes contact with the switch tends to break off at this age, the switch itself might be bad too(for this you can check for power at the bulb connector while brakes are being applied or ground depending on how switch is wired)

If it was the rubber/plastic piece that broke his brake lights would be constantly on. But it could be the switch like you mentioned.

[Crankshaft]

If it was the rubber/plastic piece that broke his brake lights would be constantly on. But it could be the switch like you mentioned.

Actually depends on design whether it presses or depresses the mechanism on the switch(not aware on which is on Cb)

[Grumpys93]

On the cb when the switch is pressed in lights go out. So he would need someone to hold the brakes applied to check for power at the lights.

[Raf99]

On the cb when the switch is pressed in lights go out. So he would need someone to hold the brakes applied to check for power at the lights.

Agreed. Get your manual, take a volt meter to the tail lights switch in the trunk and check for voltage. Sounds like a bad switch or bad ground. Most likely a bad ground. Get someone to hold the brakes on and wiggle the wires going into the white connectors in the trunk. Black wire = ground.

[7beast]

Your best bet from what u are describing would be to check that brake switch bud..

[jaykilla116]

Hmmmm

I was thinking the switch behind the brake pedal as well but since he said he tried to put back in the old lights and they worked means the problem could be in the tail lights them self.

are your 50 50 lights new or used?
if used did they come with the harness inside already?

if so swap harness from the original tail lights and you should be good.

but also take the bulbs out an inspect the filament inside the thin wire should NOT be broken. if it is a single filament it is used only for reverse or turn signal . all brake bulbs should have two filaments in each bulb.

if all the bulbs check out then inspect the lead contacts in the socket for for wear or corrosion. NEXT take a test light and probe for power with light switch on . also have some press brake pedal and probe for power.

GOOD LUCK

[alex_eats_rice]

Did you check the brake light switch? The rubber piece on the pedal that makes contact with the switch tends to break off at this age, the switch itself might be bad too(for this you can check for power at the bulb connector while brakes are being applied or ground depending on how switch is wired)

I tried getting the Brake Light Switch off yesterday, got the clip un-plugged but getting the nut the switch off in 5 degree weather isn't easy. My gf has a bunch of auto-start BS down in that area making it hard to move a wrench. Going to try again when she gets home for lunch. I bought a Multi-meter specifically for diagnosing the problem, trying to get the hang of it.

[7beast]

I tried getting the Brake Light Switch off yesterday, got the clip un-plugged but getting the nut the switch off in 5 degree weather isn't easy. My gf has a bunch of auto-start BS down in that area making it hard to move a wrench. Going to try again when she gets home for lunch. I bought a Multi-meter specifically for diagnosing the problem, trying to get the hang of it.

Oh darn I just now seen you are in Alaska lol you guys have "real winters" up there lol unlike us down in south Texas

[alex_eats_rice]

May be you have a bad ground somewhere.

Where would I go about looking for a bad ground? Is it in the trunk area?
I followed the brake light harness headed to the front of the car, don't want to start ripping the trunk apart I don't need to.

[alex_eats_rice]

Oh darn I just now seen you are in Alaska lol you guys have "real winters" up there lol unlike us down in south Texas

Yeah the winters up here in AK are a pain in the ass. Makes it kind of hard to do any type of work or troubleshooting on a vehicle outside. (I have no garage, doesn't help haha)

I actually installed HID's on my cb in -7 degree weather, I just bundled up with 5 or 6 layers of sweaters, a coat and snow pants and stuck it out. Then crashed it a week later. :/