Picked up an 81 elky, having issues with the brake lights. The guages arent stock if it makes a difference but the light switch is. Blinkers work on front, caution lights work on front, head lights work- no high beam switch not sure that these have em. brakes lights work dimly when lights are off, if the parking lights are on or head lights brake lights dont come on at all not even when brakes are applied. Had someone look at the lights and they said my license plate light got brighter when i applied the brakes.

http://www.elcaminocentral.com/showthread.php?t=27190&highlight=wiring+diagrams

start here. hope it helps.

headlight high beam , if it like minne 80 it's on the column with the turn signals switch if that makes sense

sounds like a ground on the brake lights, which would also explain the turn signals, same element. clean up the grounds and bulb connections real good

x2,,grounds and check the bulbs/sockets...as said...if it has a trailer plug?check it too...
welcome b...:texas:

Ill check the grounds and connections, and yes the high beam makes sense. Move the turn signals forward or back to turn on or off the high beams like newer cars.

Check to see that you don't have a single filament bulb where a double filament bulb should be, most likely in the taillights or turn signal sockets. Might save you some time.

I agree with Gary. On my 81, I would push the brake pedal, and all the dash lights would come on. Turned out that the double element bulbs were in the turn signal lights and single element bulbs were in the brake lights.

I'll check on that. got a handful of wiring issues to tackle but the brake lights are the last for it to be road worthy.

Let me know if you need any wiring diagrams. I bought the Gm Service manual for the 81 El Camino on CD from Ebay. It's got wiring diagrams for every system in the car, and I needed them, too, because the previous owner had caught almost every wire in that car at least once. If you need diagrams for a specific system, let me know, and I can send you a pdf file of it.

wellin the big holes are doubles singles in the smaller ones. What if there are doubles in them all? What if some wires are cut or crossed on the right taillight but not the left? Will it effect them both?

There are basicallyonly 5 wires at the rear. Brown tail lights/license plate, Green right turn/brake, Yellow left turn/brake, Light green to back up lights and one for the fuel sending unit.
sockets with the light green should be single socket - one on each side. The rest are all doubles.
HTH

got the lights working. My fuel guage doesnt work and you mentioned something about fuel sending unit. there is one wire that is connected to a wire that isnt wired stock as in its cut and it was taped and routed along the underside of the car to somewhere. Not sure.

Need picture or a whole lot more info to help with an add on wire.

well the one wire is coming out of the loom of wires under the rear bumper. its a black wire and not sure where it goes. Dont think its for any of the lights since they all work -except the reversing lights, which i believe is from the shifter being switch. Its connected to a wire going to the front of the car but isnt wired in a loom. couldnt tell ya much more than that. Tried to follow the wire its connected to but i lose it when it goes through the floor into the cab.