Community Forums

dutch99 · 04-01-2014, 06:25 AM

1999 Dutch Star DP 3884

I have no bake lights, I called the freightliner dealer and he said to check to see if the center brake light comes on, Yes the center brake light comes on, so he said it should be the brake diode

The freightliner dealer wants $120 per hour to come to the camp ground, from his shop, back to his shop, the clock is running

Does any one know where in the RV this is ?
and how much one of these cost ?
and where I can get one ?

trackman · 04-01-2014, 06:39 AM

Have you tried taking the brake light assemble out and checking the grounds? Hope you get it straightened out so you can enjoy the rest of your trip

FIRE UP · 04-01-2014, 09:47 AM

Dutch99,
Well Sir, I'm certainly no expert but, have done quite a bit of "do it yourself" stuff for a few decades. Now, this is the first time I've ever heard of a "diode" causing an outage of the brake lights. It doesn't mean it can't happen, it just means I've never heard of such a thing. With that being said, I'm sure you've checked whatever fuses might be involved in the brake light circuit haven't you?

There's always the seriously remote chance "Both" brake light filaments burned out at the same time but, the odds on that are about like winning the lotto. There's also a brake light switch some place in the air brake application mechanism. I'm not certain where it is but, maybe someone on here with a bit more experience of the air brake system can chime in and direct you to that switch and maybe you can see if you've got power in and out of it.

If you've got power in and out of it, then, obviously it's down stream from there. If there's a relay involved, you'd have to find that too. Finally, on many Freightliner chassis's, they install a totally separate set of fuses for the trailer plug on the back. Not sure it or they, would have any effect on your brake lights.

Finally, while certainly I'm not advocating you should do this but, you could drive to a repair facility of your choice to get this system checked out, without having brake lights. Again, it's not the safest thing to do but, if you're towing a toad, do the brake lights light up on it? If you're not towing anything, than it becomes a bit sticky out there if you're in traffic conditions. So, it's your choice. Sometimes you just got to pay the fiddler.
Scott

Fred Cooper · 04-05-2014, 10:03 PM

Have you tried calling the Freightliner Help Desk? Free service and they give good advice. Have the last 6 digits of your vin number available.
1 800 FTL HELP

Fred

Skip426 · 04-09-2014, 10:05 AM

There is also the possibility of problems with the turn signal switch.
Power for the center high mount, goes straight to the back, well both side brake lights, go through the signal switch, where they are interrupted for the signal lights. Check signal operation & connector at steering column.
I have wiring diagrams for our chassis, file is too big to post here, if help line can't get you the info you need , send me your e mail address in a personal message and I'll sent them to you.

stink · 04-10-2014, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

There is also the possibility of problems with the turn signal switch.
Power for the center high mount, goes straight to the back, well both side brake lights, go through the signal switch, where they are interrupted for the signal lights. Check signal operation & connector at steering column.
I have wiring diagrams for our chassis, file is too big to post here, if help line can't get you the info you need , send me your e mail address in a personal message and I'll sent them to you.

If you find you need a turn switch, one from a late 80s mustang will fit

To help with the turn switch diagnosis try this. Have someone watch brake lights with a cellphone talking with you. step on brake pedal with air pressure built up, wiggle emergency flasher switch located on the upper side of coluum (yours may be on the bottom). If the brake lights so much as blink, you need a turn switch.