How to Wire Brake Lights

All vehicles licensed for use of the road must have brake lights. Understanding the brake light circuit is important for anyone who might be restoring an old car, or perhaps building a kit car. Fortunately, this circuit is one of the simplest in the vehicle.

Things You'll Need

• Brake light switch Stop/turn lamps 16 gauge primary wire Butt connectors

Instructions

1. Disconnect the vehicle battery.

2. Mount the brake light switch at the brake pedal. Use a bracket and install the switch where it will be depressed when the pedal is not pressed. Adjust the switch in the bracket so that slight pressure on the brake pedal will allow the switch plunger to move outward.

3. Connect a 16 gauge wire from the positive terminal of the battery to one lead of an inline fuse holder.

4. Connect a 16 gauge wire to the other lead of the fuse holder and either pin on the stoplight switch.

5. Run a 16 gauge wire from the second pin of the stop light switch to the rear of the vehicle.

6. Mount a stop lamp on each side of the rear of the vehicle.

7. Using a butt connector, connect the stop lamps to the wire from the brake light switch.

8. Reconnect the vehicle battery. Stepping on the brake pedal will turn on the brake lights.