How Do You Test The Idiot Brake Light

[Gregski]

putting together a '71 GMC 1500 350/350 basket case, the truck has the wiring harness for a gauge cluster with gauges, but I am missing the cluster/gauges itself, so I am making my own DIY gauge panel and have the high beam idiot light working as well as the turn signal indicator lights, but I can't get the idiot brake light to work

I did some forum searches and I read that the brown wire connects from the bulkhead to the distribution block (I have drum/drum brakes) which I have connected, and when grounded out it will light up the brake light, I read that it also should light it up when you first go to start the truck, well mine does neither

I tried to test the light with the ignition in the ON position by manually grounding out that brown wire that would plug in to the distribution block but no joy

so my question is how do I get that pesky red light to glow, just to make myself happy, I know that for it to really light up I would have to be pretty SOL with the brake fluid, but I should see it glow upon start up

FYI: the gauge panel aint much to look at as the PO hacked it up pretty good, so I am doing the best I can with it, also I know that this one is the one without gauges, but this is what came with the rig, though it was not installed, just thrown in as extra

thank you