No Brake Lights - 70 Charger

[Nacho-RT74]

I've got the same problem in my '71. I found this post and it sounds like you've got the exact same problem I do. So...I ordered the switch and harness from Year One and I took the steering wheel off and the big bolt in the middle of the steering column and that's as far as I got. How do I take the rest of the stuff off so I can access the switch? Thanks for all of your help ahead of time.

Cheers,
Adam

P.S. Happy Independence Day to all of our veterans and active duty military from an active duty Navy helo pilot.

what switch ? ignition or turning ?

turning is just there once you remove the wheel. Just need to unscrew the 3 screws and plate what keep in place and the turning lever screw, then just pull out the harness and plug.

advice: unbolt the steering column from dash to let it fall and remove that same plate from column to remove a plastic cover from there and get more room to remove harness and plug from column. Also tie a wire to the old harness plug. Once you get it removed, then tie the wire to the new plug to pull it out from bottom and make it easier to pass throught column.

[Nacho-RT74]

[Charger_Fan]

The harness is hard wired to the switch.

Ok, going from memory here...pop the steering wheel off with a puller.
Unscrew the turn signal handle.
Unscrew the 3 (maybe?) phillips screws holding the switch assembly to the column.
If I remember right with mine, I unbolted the column from the dash. Once you drop the column down a ways, you can see most of the harness.
Unplug the harness connection, then just tug at it from the top, while pushing from the bottom. It will slide up & out fairly easily.

Installing the new one should go fairly easily too, especially because the wires are more flexible. If it gets caught halfway down, you could fish a stiff wire up from the bottom, tie it to the harness plug & use that to gently guide the harness through.

The horn button is a whole other matter, I haven't taken one of those apart yet. I do know that on some cars, you push it down & turn it 1/4 turn counter clockwise while pushing, to clear the tabs inside. Then it just pops off in your hand. I wish I was more help with that.
Oh, make sure you unplug the horn first.

You have this type of steering wheel, right?




*EDIT* Looks like Nacho has about the same plan as me on removing the switch.

[killer8man]

OK...looks like I have a different steering column than in the picture. I've attached some pictures to show you what I'm working with. It looks like I might have to buy a puller? Is that something I can get at the local parts store?

[killer8man]

Side view

[killer8man]

Parts

[TripleBlackGator]

You have this type of steering wheel, right?

Yes that is the wheel and horn button I am working with. I will give it a quick look-see tomorrow but I am not going to get too involved the day before Carlisle.

[Charger-Bodie]

You have this type of steering wheel, right?

Yes that is the wheel and horn button I am working with. I will give it a quick look-see tomorrow but I am not going to get too involved the day before Carlisle.

that style horn pad simply turns counter clocwise and its off.

[Nacho-RT74]

I understood you hade the 70 Charger wheel... That's a 72-74 Challenger wheel.

Don't worry, is the same just that you need to remove the wheel adaptor same as like it was the wheel itself...you need a steering wheel puller.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

You're driving to Carlisle with no brake lights?   



(Mental note..... steer clear of a black 70 Charger on the way down)

[TripleBlackGator]

You're driving to Carlisle with no brake lights?   



(Mental note..... steer clear of a black 70 Charger on the way down)

YES I AM! And yes STAY BACK if you come up on a black 70. I have no wipers either so if it rains Friday (which it could) it will be Rain-X or the car stays put. Since we are sooo far into this subject now what actually fails in the switch to cause a no brake light scenario? Is it a physically broken contact, connection, wire???

[Charger_Fan]

I'm pretty sure it's a burned/broken contact that fails.
I've driven in the rain with Rain-X before, it worked great!

[killer8man]

Brakes are fixed! Thanks for all the help guys!  The new turn signal switch worked. Only problem was that in the process, I pulled the steering column shaft apart at some linkage under the hood. I think I got it put back together properly. I just need to get some grease and secure the cap back on it somehow. 

Cheers,
Adam

[red72chrgr]

I assume, this info for a 71 would be the same for a 72? 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

You're driving to Carlisle with no brake lights?   



(Mental note..... steer clear of a black 70 Charger on the way down)

YES I AM! And yes STAY BACK if you come up on a black 70. I have no wipers either so if it rains Friday (which it could) it will be Rain-X or the car stays put. Since we are sooo far into this subject now what actually fails in the switch to cause a no brake light scenario? Is it a physically broken contact, connection, wire???

I guess you left it home then.....didnt see the car there

[Nacho-RT74]

I assume, this info for a 71 would be the same for a 72? 

same since 70 up 80... maybe more years

[red72chrgr]

I assume, this info for a 71 would be the same for a 72? 

same since 70 up 80... maybe more years

Thanks Nacho.

[TripleBlackGator]

Ok. Back on the subject. I have been told by many that my problem lies in the turn signal switch. I bought one at Carlilsle and was about to install it when I noticed that the wiring was a bit different than the original. I have taken pictures of old and new and the ID TAG on the bag of the reproduction unit. I have arrows pointing to the wires in question. One wire seems completely missing. (The purple one on the left) I do not want to install it if indeed it is the wrong part and if it is, which part  do I need? Oh, and by the way Just_6T9_Charger my car made it as far as the Carlilse exit on the turnpike. It died just after the toll booth. I have the engine out and will be looking for the cause as soon as I find some time.

[Charger_Fan]

I bet it'll work. You could plug it into the harness before actually mounting it to the column, to see if it works.

[chargerman68]

You're driving to Carlisle with no brake lights?   



(Mental note..... steer clear of a black 70 Charger on the way down)

[TripleBlackGator]

I bet it'll work. You could plug it into the harness before actually mounting it to the column, to see if it works.

NO CAN DO! Battery out, engine out, harnesses out.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Oh, and by the way Just_6T9_Charger my car made it as far as the Carlilse exit on the turnpike. It died just after the toll booth. I have the engine out and will be looking for the cause as soon as I find some time.

Crap that sucks.....no help on the switch though...

[TripleBlackGator]

Oh, and by the way Just_6T9_Charger my car made it as far as the Carlilse exit on the turnpike. It died just after the toll booth. I have the engine out and will be looking for the cause as soon as I find some time.

Crap that sucks.....no help on the switch though...

Nope. Not yet. Still waiting for someone that has THE answer. I might give Year One a call and see if they can shed some light.   

[TripleBlackGator]

Ok gang back to this topic. Like I stated earlier in the thread I bought a new turn signal switch at Carlisle last year and I went to install it when I found that the original has an 8 wire multi-colored harness terminated with a female plug but it also has a 3 wire harness (green, purple, gray) leading to a 3 pin female connector. The new switch does NOT have the 3 wire harness. What gives? Do I have the right switch? I have only seen one switched listed in most catalogs and for sale at the shows. What is the 3 wire harness for? Can the new switch be installed that doesn't have the 3 wire? I am confused over this whole deal. Please shed some light.

[Nacho-RT74]

that's an extra pigtail for cornering lamps equipped on C bodies