1964 Valiant No Brake or Parking Lights

[Dustman73]

I have a 64 Valiant that has been sitting since 1994, I replaced the tail light bulbs with 1157's and now the turn signal lights work! :cheers: But the brakes and parking lights do not.. :scratch: I have not replaced the license plate light yet, I don't know if that has anything to do with the problem but have you guys had a similar problem? If so what was the solution?

 

[winstoninwisc]

there is a little switch under the brake p[edal might need adjusting might need a new switch start behind the brake pedalmight be a harness issue if so i have a rear harness for trunk call me at 1 608-837 4427 jon

 

[Dustman73]

Would the brake switch cause the rear parking lights not to work? I guess it would be a good idea to get one either way haha My harness looks to be in good shape, at least in the trunk, i havent traced the wires to the dash yet..

 

[DobaMark]

i am in a similar position with my 1968 Valiant. Working turn signals, but no tail lights or brake lights. I have no idea how long it's been off the road, I suspect 5-10 years.
It could be that both the headlight switch and brake light switch are bad. I've had both those fail separately on other cars. Oddly the headlight switch fails and only the marker lights were affected. Another thing to consider is that the brake lights go through the turn signal switch and a failure there can take out a brake light though the turn signal still works. I've had that happen but only to one side on other old Chrysler products.
The other possibility is the bulkhead connector. I had lighting issues there on the 1967 Valiant I used to own. While the wiring was nice, once I opened it up there was lots of corrosion. It was so bad I had to get connectors from another harness to replace the severely corroded ends on my wiring (back before new harnesses were available and much cheaper any way).
I haven't dug into my 68's problems yet. Good luck!

 

[hemitheus]

rule # 1 - CHECK YOUR GROUNDS

 

[wjajr]

If you don’t have a volt ohm meter (VOM) get one as soon as possible, they are 10 to 25 bucks, and one cannot easily diagnose electrical problems without one, also a test light is real handy to have as well.


I replaced the tail light bulbs with 1157's and now the turn signal lights work

If turn signal lights work, grounding of lamp holder is good. As suggested, check adjustment of brake light switch mounted on the dash side of brake pedal arm. While under dash, also check switch’s continuity, in other words dose electricity pass through it, and will it brake the circuit when depressed.

Parking lights are a separate circuit from brake & turn signal light feed from headlight switch. Consult electrical diagram for your car to help trace it out, and test it. Look here for diagrams: http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=18 Both brake light and parking light circuits run behind the driver’s side kick panel, and along edge of carpet to trunk.

Back up lights are a third circuit switched by gear shift position feed from wiper switch with white wire. I’m not familiar with your year car, but look around end of steering column in engine compartment, or floor shifter if equipped for switch. You will need to make sure that switch is adjusted correctly, lamp holders have a good ground and free of corrosion, and bulb is good for starters.

 

[Dustman73]

Thanks for the input guys.. I looked up the diagram a few days back and also noticed that the parking lights are a seperate circuit.. the front lights, turn signals and everything work fine.. the reverse lights also work fine.. I haven't checked continuity at the switch yet but I know that its adjusted correctly .. the only things I can think of are either a couple wires got chewed through by a rat (car had at one time been infested wiring looks awesome though from what I've seen) or there's a connector corroded.. the odds of two switches going out doesn't seem very likely..

 

[Dustman73]

I found the problem! I traced the wires from the trunk harness to the dash and found that a black wire got completely chewed through by a mouse or rat, I connected the two ends of the chewed wire and bam all lights work! One less thing on the checklist! ;)