I just got a '53 Olds 88 2-door hardtop (303 w/hydramatic). Been checking things out and everything works, except the brake lights only work when the engine is running, not just ignition switched on. Very strange. Is this normal?? It only has 31,000 miles and wiring looks all original. BTW, the electric indicator for shifter is pretty crazy engineering.
Nope, no power brakes. It does have one other odd thing. There's 7 wires coming out of the turn indicator switch instead of the usual 6. Once again, all looks original. Guess I'll have to find a '53 diagram, never seen anything like that before.
Did you buy this off craigslist? I guy named Andrew i believe? Can you trace the positive wire that feeds the brakes? Does it somehow connect to the positive side of the coil someplace?
Not off Craigslist. It came from Muskogee OK. It belonged to "two ole maiden ladies", as the guy I got it from described them. Unconventional lifestyles in Muskogee?? What would Merle say? Anyhow, I think I'll rewire the thing, the original cloth wire looks pretty ****gy in places. Still curious about that extra wire on the turn signal, must be something with the brake lights.
Most all GM turn signal switches are 7 wire ... 4 to the lamps, 2 for the flasher, #7 is the stop light feed from the switch
The Jalopy Journal
