no brake lights or dim headlights

[squatches]

when i got my 71 510 wagon the brake lights and dim on the headlights wont work, ive replaced all th bulbs in the taillights and all the fuses in the fuse block. but the lights for when the brake is held still will not work, and the dim set of headlights still wont work but they will come on when on bright. ive already changed the fuses checked every ground i could find and cleaned every connection that i could think of and just stumped any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

 

thanks

[ZackTheImpaler]

alternator?

[squatches]

i thought it might have been the alt to begin with but i have a new one on it now and it still does it (oh and the old alt mounting tab was broke was the reason for changing it not the electrical gremlin).

[hang_510]

cleaned the connectors at the relay & fuse box?

 

 

checked the brake light switch? (on the pedal box)

 

 

there is a small contact on the steering lever for hi/lo beams, that sometimes is broken, not making contact/dirty.

 

 

 

still sounds like a ground issue...

[elmerfudpucker]

Also if there is an aftermarket stereo installed, make sure the ground wire is on metal and not an illumination wire. Alot of people make that mistake, the wire reads as a ground when the lights are off.

[banzai510(hainz)]

alternator???????????

 

when car not running the brake lights should work. So rules out the alternator unless its overchargingin and blowing up the bulbs

ck the switch at the pedal? Ones ide will have 12volts. if not ck the horn fuse(if a 510)or back of the fuse box. the wires can bust. If Horn works then this not the fuse.

 

 

wiggle the wire harness around by the fuse box strut area.

Icehouse told me there is a c clip splice that corrodes there(on wagoons) and if you wiggle the harness it might work.

need to people to ck this out

[squatches]

the car does have an aftermarket radio, i havent looked to see how it was wired. and ill try wiggling the harness and checking those contact points in the column.

 

thanks for all the input and advise so far