Brakelights not working...

[teesitup]

1997 cutter pusher
all lights work except brakelights?
have 12v at brake switch,fuse and relay
the strip brakelight airstream installed workes.
freightliner chassis sent wiring diagram looks like brakelights use the same
wires as the turn signals and flashers
if anyone knows where the wires common connection is located. has to be in a switch somewhere

[masseyfarm]

Welcome to the forums.
You say you have power at the air activated brake switch under the floor of the driver position? When air applied you have power coming out of that switch? I had that wire break at the switch. You say you have power at the small brake light. Sooo-
Have you tested with a digital meter the brake lights when brakes applied?
Have you got brake lights at the towing plug?
I would say this connection, between the tail/brake and the plug circuit, may be faulty, as it is the most likely to have been disturbed by untrained "techs"
Dave

Originally Posted by teesitup

1997 cutter pusher
all lights work except brakelights?
have 12v at brake switch,fuse and relay
the strip brakelight airstream installed workes.
freightliner chassis sent wiring diagram looks like brakelights use the same
wires as the turn signals and flashers
if anyone knows where the wires common connection is located. has to be in a switch somewhere

[teesitup]

i have 2 switches power on both when brakes applied
traced wiring to fuse 15 amp stop and hazard
traced wiring to brake relay switch relay working power in power out
no voltage at towing plug for brakelights
towing plug turn signal and running lights work
plug from chassis to back of unit running lights turnsignals flashers all have power
the stripbrake light airstream installed has seperate wiring option brake light listed on freightliner wiring diagram
need to talk to freightliner tech

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by teesitup

i have 2 switches power on both when brakes applied
traced wiring to fuse 15 amp stop and hazard
traced wiring to brake relay switch relay working power in power out
no voltage at towing plug for brakelights
towing plug turn signal and running lights work
plug from chassis to back of unit running lights turnsignals flashers all have power
the stripbrake light airstream installed has seperate wiring option brake light listed on freightliner wiring diagram
need to talk to freightliner tech

Check your turn signal switch at the steering column. If your brake and turn signal lights are the same light than the brake circuit goes through the column switch. The center brake light is a separate switch as it does not flash.

Cheers, Dan

[teesitup]

97 cutter pusher brakelights not working
turn signal flashers and taillights work
the strip brakelight works
have power at brake switches
power in and out stop and flashers fuse 15a
power in and out at brake relay
anyone know where a fuse or switch could be located that iam missing

[Splitrock]

You wrote: "have power at brake switches"

Which switches? Where are they? More than one?

[Bad Monkey]

If both rear brake lights are out, but center brake light is working along with turn signals. Would make me think you have an electrical short. I would get a power probe to and start checking wireing.

[TG Twinkie]

Are your turn signals separate from your brake lights?
Do you have a brake controller installed for towing a trailer?
Can you post a pic of the back of your bus.

[teesitup]

2 switches located under drivers compartment 12v out on both

thanks for the tips will be checking wiring today

freightliner e-mailed wiring diagram of the chassis looks line the brakes and turn signals operate togeather will be checking that unit today

no pic at this time maybe later

[Splitrock]

This is probably off topic and off the wall, but my Chevy pickup operates the brake lights off one switch located above the brake pedal. The switch is an "always on" switch. The pedal's job is to turn the switch off. Those switches fail. I've replaced mine twice since I bought the truck new in 1987. Just a FYI.

[Splitrock]

Okay, I understand now. You have located two brake switches at the driver's location that both indicate they have power when the brake is applied. That's a good sign. Now it's just tracing the wire(s) to the rear and checking grounds at fixtures. I'd think if the brake lights use the same bulb as the flashers and the flashers work okay, then the grounds are fine.

If it's a wire issue, it may be easier to just install a new wire than find the original wire and then find the exact problem point in the original wire. Whenever I run a new wire, I add an accessible fuse to the new line. I've never been sorry I've been too careful.

Gary

[teesitup]

the main brakelights run through the flasher switch
jumped the wire and presto brakelights
need to trace the wire back to a brake lamp switch and then to the battery junction? the hot wire has a 20 amp inline fuse sure the fuse is blown location is a mystery? power is supplied through the brake lamp switch to the flasher switch

center brake light or strip light runs through 15amp fuse to brakelight relay

anyone know where the battery junction is located on an airstream bus deisel pusher chassis freightliner

[masseyfarm]

The battery hot/distribution on the front of the Clipper is on the front bulkhead, forward of the driver position, access from the outside panel. All power at the front of the unit feeds off this point. Because it is somewhat exposed to the elements, a poor contact to hot is possible.
Dave

Originally Posted by teesitup

the main brakelights run through the flasher switch
jumped the wire and presto brakelights
need to trace the wire back to a brake lamp switch and then to the battery junction? the hot wire has a 20 amp inline fuse sure the fuse is blown location is a mystery? power is supplied through the brake lamp switch to the flasher switch

center brake light or strip light runs through 15amp fuse to brakelight relay

anyone know where the battery junction is located on an airstream bus deisel pusher chassis freightliner

[teesitup]

thanks everyone for the info

freightliner xc and vc models built before 4-28-98 has a single diode installed in the brakelight circuit. which will blow if to much current .
freightliner custom chassis issued a sb 54.3 retofit, new brakelight diode harness with two diodes pn 06-28598-00
i have a blown diode will jump lights from switch cut out diode install 20amp fuse will not be able to use flasher and brake at the same time
hope i can fine the retofit harness


thanks everyone

info: freightliner custom chassis service center in south carolina very helpful e-mail wiring and sb 54-3

[teesitup]

today had time to work on the cutter. son pulled out last night going to kansas city. spent time helping him get his 1946 spartan manor tin can travel trailor ready fist tow after rebuild. tonight in joelton tn off I-24
if you see a u-haul with alum tin can thats him

back to the cutter found a fix for the brakes lights third page of sb 54-3
instead of new wiring harness down to radio shack picked up diodes installed today cost $3.62

[masseyfarm]

Pictures would be great.
Where is the location of the original harness diodes? and where are you installing new?
Dave

• Service Bulletin - SB 54 - 3

Brake Lights quit working on coach
If your '98 or '99 coach has it's brake lights go out, here is info on the two diode wiring harness (replacement for the single version).
Freightliner Service Bulletin 54-3
Part Number 06-28598-000