Dash brake light question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67shortie · 03-18-2005, 01:52 AM

My co-worker has a 71 1/2 ton and was trying to get it passed for inspection, the truck failed because the dash brake light did not come on when the key was turned on (not running). Is this suppose to do this? Or is is going to come on under normal conditions?

sdkid · 03-18-2005, 02:07 AM

Yes, I believe it should come on. This is a bulb check, so you know the light works. Pull the bulb and see if it is good.

67shortie · 03-18-2005, 02:20 AM

Yes, the bulb is good. I don't have my truck running yet, so no reference yet to compare.

bobs409 · 03-18-2005, 07:26 AM

Wow! That's ridiculous if you ask me. Here in Pa. we have always had inspections and they are kind of strict but never had them check dash bulbs!

I don't think mine comes on with the key now that I think of it. Will have to check that...

JimKshortstep4x4 · 03-18-2005, 08:30 AM

The brake light should come on when the key is turned on and engine not running. Did you check the connection at the prop valve? There is a brown wire that plugs onto the switch that is in the prop valve.

Jim

67shortie · 03-18-2005, 09:01 AM

Story behind the inspection is he had an accident with it, the insurance company totalled it and he bought it back. One this happens, the truck must be tail and headlight inspected (that's what they call it) so the inspector safety checked the brakes and found this light to be not up to code.

I am not sure if he had checked the brown wire, but I did remind him to before he wwent home just to be sure. He was going to check this out in the morning.

smokekiki · 03-18-2005, 09:39 AM

On All of my trucks,the light will not come on by just turning the key to the on position.When You turn it to start the truck it comes on.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 03-18-2005, 09:45 AM

Mike,

You are right!

Good point, the light turns on when you turn the key to start.

Jim

shifty · 03-18-2005, 03:48 PM

As everyone else already said, both lights should come on while starting up....like this:

Longhorn Man · 03-18-2005, 07:48 PM

Yep, and if it does, I'd politely tell the inspector to kiss my ass.
When ever they came up with stupid stuff liek that, i normally had them proove to me that this was in fact correct per there books including the year of vehicle I was driving.
I know the inspector is just doing his job, but he is wrong...plain and simple.

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 03-18-2005, 08:07 PM

Guess I need to replace the bulb in the temp indicator spot, only the brake light comes on when I crank mine up.

Longhorn Man · 03-18-2005, 08:28 PM

if you have a temp guage, then it should be a dead lens.

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 03-18-2005, 08:42 PM

I was wondering why the new bulb wouldn't light up!

70 shorty · 03-18-2005, 09:43 PM

Mine both come on when started. Any ideas as to why Chevy designed the brake light to not come on when the parking brake is engaged, almost all cars I know? The truck is the only vehicle I've owned that it works that way.

smokekiki · 03-18-2005, 11:09 PM

I don't know any "older"cars that have a light to let You know the E brake is on.The light is to let You know You are having problems with the braking system.

70 shorty · 03-18-2005, 11:31 PM

I could have sworn my 71 Cutlass did, I owned it for 14 years, but I probably didn't pay that much attention. Anyway, that's my point of reference.

Longhorn Man · 03-19-2005, 11:51 PM

heck, I was working on a 1990 P/30 step van today, and it worked the exact same way as our trucks....light comes on when engine is being cranked.
Any chance on getting an inspector who knows what things are supposed to do?

HOTFUN · 03-20-2005, 09:33 AM

Another fairly easy check for the brake proportioning switch is to pull the brown wire plug at the brake P valve and ground the wire end and it should like the brake light solid with the ignition switch turned to run position. The proportioning switch is activated by that valve completing a ground point if either the front or rear brake line pressure is lost.

03-18-2005, 01:52 AM	#1
67shortie Green club Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central CA Posts: 1,059	Dash brake light question My co-worker has a 71 1/2 ton and was trying to get it passed for inspection, the truck failed because the dash brake light did not come on when the key was turned on (not running). Is this suppose to do this? Or is is going to come on under normal conditions? __________________ 71 short/fleet ECE 4/6 drop, LQ4/700r4/3.42 gears 70 SS396 Chevelle 427/200-4R/3.73posi 61 Lincoln Continental, black on black Son you are going to drive me to drinkin if you don't stop drivin that hot rod lincoln

03-18-2005, 02:07 AM	#2
sdkid Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pierre SD Posts: 1,533	Yes, I believe it should come on. This is a bulb check, so you know the light works. Pull the bulb and see if it is good. __________________ I think the world needs a drink... Help somebody...If you can....VanZant We're not wrong, we're not sorry, and its probably gonna happen again. That's the truth about men. Tracy Byrd Member# 13924 '70 c10, 350/350 '68 c10 250/4spd '68 c10 no eng/trans fac ps/pb/ac/at (future father/sons project) '48 Chevy Loadmaster

03-18-2005, 02:20 AM	#3
67shortie Green club Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central CA Posts: 1,059	Yes, the bulb is good. I don't have my truck running yet, so no reference yet to compare. __________________ 71 short/fleet ECE 4/6 drop, LQ4/700r4/3.42 gears 70 SS396 Chevelle 427/200-4R/3.73posi 61 Lincoln Continental, black on black Son you are going to drive me to drinkin if you don't stop drivin that hot rod lincoln

03-18-2005, 07:26 AM	#4
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Wow! That's ridiculous if you ask me. Here in Pa. we have always had inspections and they are kind of strict but never had them check dash bulbs! I don't think mine comes on with the key now that I think of it. Will have to check that... __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

03-18-2005, 09:01 AM	#6
67shortie Green club Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central CA Posts: 1,059	Story behind the inspection is he had an accident with it, the insurance company totalled it and he bought it back. One this happens, the truck must be tail and headlight inspected (that's what they call it) so the inspector safety checked the brakes and found this light to be not up to code. I am not sure if he had checked the brown wire, but I did remind him to before he wwent home just to be sure. He was going to check this out in the morning. __________________ 71 short/fleet ECE 4/6 drop, LQ4/700r4/3.42 gears 70 SS396 Chevelle 427/200-4R/3.73posi 61 Lincoln Continental, black on black Son you are going to drive me to drinkin if you don't stop drivin that hot rod lincoln

03-18-2005, 08:30 AM	#5
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	The brake light should come on when the key is turned on and engine not running. Did you check the connection at the prop valve? There is a brown wire that plugs onto the switch that is in the prop valve. Jim

03-18-2005, 09:39 AM	#7
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,473	On All of my trucks,the light will not come on by just turning the key to the on position.When You turn it to start the truck it comes on. __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

03-18-2005, 09:45 AM	#8
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Mike, You are right! Good point, the light turns on when you turn the key to start. Jim

03-18-2005, 03:48 PM	#9
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	As everyone else already said, both lights should come on while starting up....like this: __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

03-18-2005, 07:48 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Yep, and if it does, I'd politely tell the inspector to kiss my ass. When ever they came up with stupid stuff liek that, i normally had them proove to me that this was in fact correct per there books including the year of vehicle I was driving. I know the inspector is just doing his job, but he is wrong...plain and simple.

03-18-2005, 08:07 PM	#11
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	Guess I need to replace the bulb in the temp indicator spot, only the brake light comes on when I crank mine up. __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck

03-18-2005, 08:28 PM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	if you have a temp guage, then it should be a dead lens.

03-18-2005, 08:42 PM	#13
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	I was wondering why the new bulb wouldn't light up! __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck

03-18-2005, 09:43 PM	#14
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,772	Mine both come on when started. Any ideas as to why Chevy designed the brake light to not come on when the parking brake is engaged, almost all cars I know? The truck is the only vehicle I've owned that it works that way. __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

03-18-2005, 11:09 PM	#15
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,473	I don't know any "older"cars that have a light to let You know the E brake is on.The light is to let You know You are having problems with the braking system. __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires



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03-18-2005, 11:31 PM	#16
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,772	I could have sworn my 71 Cutlass did, I owned it for 14 years, but I probably didn't pay that much attention. Anyway, that's my point of reference. __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

03-19-2005, 11:51 PM	#17
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	heck, I was working on a 1990 P/30 step van today, and it worked the exact same way as our trucks....light comes on when engine is being cranked. Any chance on getting an inspector who knows what things are supposed to do?

03-20-2005, 09:33 AM	#18
HOTFUN Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 2,145	Another fairly easy check for the brake proportioning switch is to pull the brown wire plug at the brake P valve and ground the wire end and it should like the brake light solid with the ignition switch turned to run position. The proportioning switch is activated by that valve completing a ground point if either the front or rear brake line pressure is lost. __________________ '66 CST BBW swb fleet 327 fac ac '67 CST 4x4 swb 327 stepside project '72 Cheyenne K20 50k original '72 Cheyenne Super K20 project '73 Sierra swb 4x4 frame off in paint stage '74 Cheyenne Super swb w/16k actual '71 & 72 Cheyenne K10 4x4 swb's '70 426 HEMICUDA conv SHAKER 4 sp Dana 60 '60 Impala conv 327 PG fac ac loaded 3rd owner '72 GMC K2500 4x4 '59 Apache CST BBW fleetside swb 283 '73 ElCamino SS LS1 T56 true SS bucket tach '76 ElCamino SS 52k survivor '87 Grand National 41k True 2nd to last built in 1987. '86 K30 454 SRW fleetside CA since new '88 Trans Am GTA 39k bought new 2018 DEMON plum crazy @ 840HP! "Need for speed"

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