1979 chevy van brake light switch/wiring problem
Alani
I have a 1979 chevy van that a friend bought, and someone has been at the
wiring, and not in a good way.Does anyone know the numbers or colour code
for the brake light circuit from the switch? Also this is so old that it
seems that it has a vacuum style vent at the pedal, and this no doubt runs
to a vacuum switch under the doghouse, but can't find the wiring or
anything, thought that I would just put in a new style switch, but need to
i.d. the wires, so that i can run them up to a new switch. Any help would
be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Alan
this@softhome.net Ripper
cruise control? What would be venting vacuum at the brake pedal? By the way,
there are 2 brake switches. One controls the lights, the other shuts off the
cruise control. There is no hidden brake light switch, it's on the pedal
bracket and it is not controlled by vacuum. Vacuum control went out in the
50's, way before the first version of this van was ever even dreamed of. Are
you sure you have the right switch? The brake light switch has constant 12
volts on one side and ground on the other until you depress the pedal, then
both sides should see 12 volts. The cruise switch usually runs on the ground
side, so depressing the pedal will give you ground instead of 12 volts on
the switched side. The brake light switched wire also goes to the turn
signal switch. The wire should be white, but it's been a long time since
I've worked on an older model van. After the turn signal switch, the wires
should be light green and yellow. I think light green is the left brake
light, yellow is the right, but double check this. It's been a long weekend
of work, and I'm a tad fuzzy on it right now. All of these wires are in the
steering column plugs. Do the turn signals work? How about the 4 way
flashers? If they do, the problem is in the wires before the turn signal
switch. If not, it possible there is a break in the wire running to the back
of the van. The wires run across the top of the left quarter panel, right up
next to the roof. Then they run down by the left taillight, and over to the
right taillight across the top of the doors. Let me know if you need
anything more. I have electrical and mechanical manuals on these older vans.
--
Ripper
http://www.ripper1.com/
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"Alani" <alani...@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote in message
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Alani
Thanks for the response. A friend wanted to post here to find out a
little more about this van. He was unsure of the way the older vans worked.
I will pass the response on to him, as he has gone home already. He may
post tomorrow from his place.
Thansk again. He said that you sounded like you worked at a Chev
dealer. :)
Bye
Alan
"Ripper" <ripper1dontinclude th...@softhome.net> wrote in message
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Jody White
Alani <alani...@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote in message
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I think the vent is there for cutting out cruise control when you hit the
brakes.
I don't remember the color code for the brake wiring...I think it was a purple
wire coming from the fuse panel (BRAKE LP fuse) to the brake switch, then
feeding to the turn signal switch, where it's directed to the brake lights.
It's pretty much standard on GM cars...go to one of the local car parts shops
and find the Hayne's manual for it (NOT Chilton)--the Hayne's books include
electrical schematics.
HTH, Jody.
Alani
:)
"Jody White" <a...@ifyouwant.it> wrote in message
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