stop light switch wiring question

Hello,
My brake lights on my 55 CJ5 have been intermittently working and it appears the stop light switch is the culprit. I have two wires on the switch one has 12V and the other has nothing. Not reading a ground or anything. If I recall correctly last time I was under there checking the lights they were working and I was reading 12V on one wire and a ground on the other until the brake pedal was depressed at which point the ground went to 12V. Does this sound right? Could it be the ground wire that is bad or do you think it's the switch?

any thoughts would be great

thanks

 

One side should be hot (12v) but only when the pedal is pushed, otherwise infinite resistance.

The other side runs to ground but through the stop bulbs, THEN to ground. It should show as a ground with a slight resistance value (a few ohms), until the pedal is pushed. Then it should show 12v.

If you are not getting a ground on the output side, it suggests a broken wire or open circuit on the way to the stop lights. Does it get 12 volts when the pedal is pushed? - if so the stop light switch is working.

Do you have turn signals? If so possibly the turn switch is acting up.

 

Thanks for the advice. I am not getting 12V on both sides only one side when pedal is pushed. And the side that should be grounded shows nothing. So I am thinking it's the switch.

I have a new turn signal switch that has been on the jeep for a year or so. At this point I have 12V on one side of the stop light switch and nothing on the other when the pedal is pushed.

 

12 volt one wire(Hot) to brake light switch . brake light wire to turn signal switch ,then to brake lights . have you tried to just jumper the two wires at brake light switch . if brake lights work its the brake switch . if not could be turn signal switch or wire to it .

 

You read my mind I am going to try the jumpers today. I will let y'all know what happens.

 

A simpler test of the brake switch is to put a multimeter on it with one lead going to one terminal and the other to the other. Put the meter on "continuity" or circuit test mode. Pressing the the brake pedal closes the circuit. If it doesn't, you have a brake switch problem.

 

I have one wire connected to the top post of the light switch but it doesn't push 12 V from there...only if I hook it up with the next post down with all the red wires.

Also, I don't have a turn signal (yet) or 4 way flashers in my system so how/where do you suggest I hook this to the ground through the stop bulbs?

 

Jeeper Preacher I suggest you start a new post on your specific question. You will get better response.