<VV> Problem with left rear brake light

[craig nicol]

Charles wrote:
"My 63 Monza 900 has had a chronic problem with the left rear brake light
being intermittent at best. The left turn signal and tail light works just
fine, it's only the brake light that's flaky."

Craig replies:
The circuit for the left "bright" filament is used for both brake and turn
with the turn signal switch sorting thing out. The problem is in the switch,
which is mounted on the side of the column above the break pedal. Often on
Ems with this type of switch, most of the time the problem isn't really
electrical or caused by a defective switch but rather the canceling
mechanism not CENTERING the switch. 

There are several possibilities:
1) The switches position on the column needs adjustment (loosen its little
retaining bolts and shift its position - the mounting holes are slotted -
and adjust it as needed)
2) The pot-metal canceling mechanism pieces up under the hub under the
steering wheel are loose or worn or the "W" spring (which holds the
mechanism in the middle position) has lost its tension or bushing)
3) The cable that runs the switch has a broken outer housing which results
in sloppy centering of the switch.
4) The contacts in the switch are worn or burnt and don't make reliable
contact.

I'd start with #1 and while you are looking at the switch, you can observe
how well the cable end is reacting to little movements of the turn signal
lever and judge #2 and #3. It's most likely that the problem lies in either
#1 or #2.  Sometimes just a careful adjustment will buy you some time.

HTH, Craig Nicol