Brake lights won’t shut off

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by 85pete359, Jan 12, 2022.

  1. 85pete359

    85pete359 Light Load Member

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    Hey guys little help please, I’ve been at this forever and can’t seem to figure it out, I have a 85 Peterbilt 359 my brake lights stay on the tractor constantly I replaced my “switches” that are on the air manifold also just my wiring to the directional stock and did all my ohms testing no wiring is making contact, here’s what gets me if I disconnect the wiring to the switch and do a ohms test it says there’s contact in the switch but I mf I remove the switch it’s no longer making contact, so does that mean I have a crack in the manifold which is giving me to 5pbs of pressure to activate the switch? Any help appreciated it’s a project truck and this is something driving me crazy can’t figure it out smh
     
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  3. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    I did not quite follow all of that.
    Be sure your hand valve is fully returned.
    Make sure the piston under the brake pedal is not sticking.
     
    clausland and cke Thank this.
  4. 85pete359

    85pete359 Light Load Member

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    Yes sir did that, if I run an ohms test on the switch without the wires connected it shows the switch inside has made contact which would turn the brake lights on essentially so I’m wondering why would there be contact if I haven’t applied any braking air has to be sent to it in order for the contact to happen so if I haven’t applied brakes could their be a crack in the manifold for it to have air to it? Just throwing out some options not sure if that’s it never ran into a issue like this where every angle has been covered electronically and pneumaticaly and still have lights on ‍♂️
     
  5. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Oxbow Thanks this.
  6. 85pete359

    85pete359 Light Load Member

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    I have 2 brake switches on the manifold I know it’s supposed to be 3 but this truck has 2 for some reason and I checked both and this is the one giving me trouble so I replaced both
     
  7. 85pete359

    85pete359 Light Load Member

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    Specifically it’s the breakaway stop light switch that’s giving issues
     
  8. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    I put in what was supposed to a 70# buzzer switch, but it’s actually a 90#. So I was thinking maybe a bad switch.
    Maybe wore out will be around today.
     
    Oxbow Thanks this.
  9. 85pete359

    85pete359 Light Load Member

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    Yea I wish it was a bad switch lol thanks brotha
     
  10. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    Petes of that vintage had brake lights that would stay lit when park brakes were set as long as the key was on.
     
    Oxbow, BoxCarKidd and wore out Thank this.
  11. wore out

    wore out Numbered Classic

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    CHASIN THE DEVIL'S HERD
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    It sounds like the air isn’t exhausting completely from the service brake lines.

    Take the switch out to make sure all the air is exhausted. Reinstall switch. Build the air up without touching the service brakes and see if it closes on its own or if it just stays closed after you hit the brakes. If on its own then you have a bleed somewhere not necessarily in manifold or you have lines crossed some place.


    If after you hit the service brakes they come on and do not go off you have an issue that is not allowing the circuit to exhaust all the way. Could be lines not in right place or blockage. Dirt dobbers are hell on things that are uncovered at my place
     
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