Brake lights wont work, help

[sunspeck]

I have just started this restoration project. The taillights work, but the brake lights won't light up. Have replaced the lights, to no avail. Any one have any ideas?

[BoatCop]

Brake light switches on the master cylinder.

[sunspeck]

Originally Posted by BoatCop

Brake light switches on the master cylinder.

Thanks. I'll try that.

[sunspeck]

Did that and bled brakes to no avail. Could it be that the wiring is bad? How would I know?

[BoatCop]

First things first. Start with the obvious.

Fuses. Good?

Now go to the bulbs and sockets. Check to make sure the bulbs are correct, good and the sockets are free from corrosion. You didn't say what year the car is. Do you have the early Bug with separate bulbs for lights, turn signal/ Brake lights? or the later dual filament bulbs?

If they are the dual type, do the turn signals work?

Now back to the brake light switches. To test these, you need an assistant. (to press on the brake pedal)

Pull the coil wire to make sure the car won't start. Parking brake on. Key on. Trans in neutral. Use a test light and test one terminal on the brake light switch to ground. Then the other. One of these terminals should have power. If not, then the problem is wiring from the fuse box to the brake light switch.

There should be 2 switches, each with 2 terminals on them.

If you have power to one of the terminals, then have the assistant depress the brake. Test the other terminal on the same switch. If you don't have power there, then the switches need to ne replaced.

If you DO have power (on both switches) go back to the rear of the car and test the light sockets. If no power, when the brake is depressed, then it's in the wiring from the switches to the light socket.