Hello, I am in the process of putting a 1970 roadrunner back together. The front bumper is not on the car so the parking lights and front turn signals are not connected. I was working on the rest of the electrical system and noticed the brake lights do not work. The 4 way flasers will and the turn signal will light and not blink since the front is not connected. I would think the brake lights would work without the fron bumber. I tested the switch which is good. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!  

Apply the brake pendal and check the power and ground wires at the rear lights.  

I have a block of wood depressing the pedal to make the switch which is working. I also ran a separate ground wire from the trunk lock bolts to the tail light housings since they were really dim. The ground made them bright. Should there be a ground on them somewhere? I bought it this way so I do not know what worked originally and what did not. I really appreciate the help, as this car has been apart for 25 years.  

Run a new ground wire to each brake light socket, this will solve your problem.  

Dp you know where the original grounds should be? I have not seen any ground straps anywhere on the car. Only the negative cable to the engine.  

The front turn/hazard lights have the ground wires that go to the core support.
The rear lights ground somewhere in around the dash like behind the kick panels or headlight switch.
I'm sure someone will chime in if I'm off, If not I'll get out a diagram.  

Thanks for the help! I think I may have confused drmopar with when I wrote:I also ran a separate ground wire from the trunk lock bolts to the tail light housings since they were really dim. The ground made them bright.This was just in reference to the flashers and the turn signals. The brake lights do not light at all... the white wire to the switch is hot and the pinks get hot when the pedal is depressed, but no lights. I hope this clears it up