[69chevellebb]

Hello,
This one is probably pretty obvious, but I'm not sure what to check first. When I push down on the brake pedal all exterior lights as well as interior dash lights and gauge lights dim. This happens both with the car running or not (just with headlight switch on, but not key). When the car is running the tach, oil pressure and temp indicator arms jump as well as the lights dimming. It just started doing this in the last couple days. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.......Thanks.

------------------
Gary Wells
1969 SS396/350hp Nos. Matching Chevelle
ACES Member #3756
Pres. Classic Chevelle Club Of Idaho

 

[onabudget]

Sounds like a bad ground, but finding it will be another problem in itself.


------------------
Rob Mirabile TC #1079, ACES #4387
"If You Don't Drive It-Sell It"

The Ride
The Crew
Showing Off
The Lemans

67 Malibu Conv (always under construction)
64 Lemans Conv, Building for my brother-in-law

 

[John_Muha]

I'd start by checking the grounds from the battery.
Check the one on the battery, the one on the block, and the one on the right inside fender. All should be clean and tight.
Next I would check the rear sockets. Remove the bulbs. See if they are OK. Check to see if there is a good ground to each one.
Check to see if the is 12 volts on the socket brake terminal on each socket (brake applied).
Check to see if the is 12 volts on the socket running terminal on each socket (headlights on).
Does the dimming occur with the rear light bulbs removed?

 

[69chevellebb]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by John_Muha:
I'd start by checking the grounds from the battery.
Check the one on the battery, the one on the block, and the one on the right inside fender. All should be clean and tight.
Next I would check the rear sockets. Remove the bulbs. See if they are OK. Check to see if there is a good ground to each one.
Check to see if the is 12 volts on the socket brake terminal on each socket (brake applied).
Check to see if the is 12 volts on the socket running terminal on each socket (headlights on).
Does the dimming occur with the rear light bulbs removed? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

John,
The dimming stops when the rear light bulbs are removed. With the running lights on and the bulbs in I can move the wiring around and get one or more of the tail lights to go out and then back on again. the single ground wire attached to the side of the latch bracket is clean and tight. There has been alot of splicing done with the wiring.
Gary Wells

 

[John_Muha]

Best suggestion is to chase down the loose connections and repair them. From what you are describing it could be one of more spliced joints or maybe a bad socket or two. Maybe continue to wiggle the wires to locate the bad area(s).
I'm going to assume that you measured the socket terminals and found 12 volts on both the brake and running terminals. If you did, it sounds like the rear harness repair might correct the problem.

 

[Steve_69]

Splices give me the heebee jeebees. What's worse is splices in an old original wiring harness.

The quality of insulation on wires at that time was barely adequate. Add to that many years of aging, wear and tear, abusive wiring practices by amatuers..and what do you have?

A fire waiting to happen.

If your harness is original, and I am guessing it is, I'd start looking to replace all wires ASAP. If you don't know enough to do it right, buy the ones made to plug right in.

Steve

------------------
My opinions are usually worth what they cost you. But once in a while I know what I am talking about. Humor, fun, a few new friends, and good ole knowledge of these classics are why I am here. Your mileage may vary. ACES # 04981