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  •  » Brake Light PressureSwitch

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    9/02/2021 2:14 PM  #1

    Toploader
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    Registered: 4/15/2013
    Posts: 1,640

    Brake Light PressureSwitch

    I think I just had my brake light pressure switch fail on me. It has to be what's failed as the taillights still light up when I turn them on and they are the LED type.
    Anyway, is this something that commonly fails? I only got a few years out of this one.

    1964-1/2 D Code Coupe - 289 V8, 4 Speed Toploader, 3.00 ratio rear, Autolite 4100 Carb, 15" tires, Pertronix ignition
     

    9/02/2021 4:09 PM  #2

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,256

    Re: Brake Light PressureSwitch

    Do the turn signals still work?   If so, it may be the pressure switch.  If not, check the turn signal switch.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    9/02/2021 4:35 PM  #3

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,852

    Re: Brake Light PressureSwitch

    You DON'T have the manual brake switch attached to the brake pedal?!! (stock configuration)
    6sal6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    9/02/2021 6:13 PM  #4

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
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    Re: Brake Light PressureSwitch

    6sally6 wrote:

    You DON'T have the manual brake switch attached to the brake pedal?!! (stock configuration)
    6sal6

     
    Sal, the 64-1/2 had a pressure switch on the master cylinder instead of a mechanical switch on the pedal pin.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    9/03/2021 12:37 AM  #5

    Toploader
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    Re: Brake Light PressureSwitch

    It was definitely the brake light pressure switch (that connects to the master cylinder on my car). I replaced it with a (made in the USA) Fuelmiser brand.
    I do hope this one lasts me a while.
    Interesting to note that Ford changed the design in 1965 to a switch mounted under the dash. Does this mean that the master cylinder type are not that great?

    Last edited by Toploader (9/03/2021 12:38 AM)

    1964-1/2 D Code Coupe - 289 V8, 4 Speed Toploader, 3.00 ratio rear, Autolite 4100 Carb, 15" tires, Pertronix ignition
       •Thread Starter
     

    9/03/2021 7:01 AM  #6

    Rufus68
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    From: Knoxville, TN
    Registered: 4/26/2017
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    Re: Brake Light PressureSwitch

    Ford must have had a reason.  Quality?  Failure prone? New switch cheaper? New location easier to assemble car? New location less failure prone?

    I'd just revisit these thoughts if your new switch goes out on you.

    1968 T-code Coupe with a 302.  Nice car, no show stopper for sure, but I like it.
     

    9/03/2021 7:20 AM  #7

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Brake Light PressureSwitch

    Rufus68 wrote:

    Ford must have had a reason.  Quality?  Failure prone? New switch cheaper? New location easier to assemble car? New location less failure prone?

    I'd just revisit these thoughts if your new switch goes out on you.

     
    Faster activation of the stop lights.

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    9/03/2021 9:53 PM  #8

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Brake Light PressureSwitch

    I would think that extra foot of coper wire cost Ford a bunch of money over 500,000 cars. They only make decisions based on one thing.  How much cost can I shave off and stick in my pocket?

    My thinking is a pressure switch is quicker to activate than one that relies on pedal movement.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    9/04/2021 6:07 PM  #9

    Toploader
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    Re: Brake Light PressureSwitch

    I'm hoping the Fuelmiser switch lasts a good while. There was a Scott Drake switch available, but I shuddered at that thought.

    1964-1/2 D Code Coupe - 289 V8, 4 Speed Toploader, 3.00 ratio rear, Autolite 4100 Carb, 15" tires, Pertronix ignition
       •Thread Starter
     

    9/04/2021 9:34 PM  #10

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Brake Light PressureSwitch

    MS wrote:

    I would think that extra foot of coper wire cost Ford a bunch of money over 500,000 cars. They only make decisions based on one thing.  How much cost can I shave off and stick in my pocket?

    My thinking is a pressure switch is quicker to activate than one that relies on pedal movement.

     
    I think it is the opposite.
    The brake light switch will turn the brake lights on with just a light touch of the pedal long before any line pressure is generated by hydraulics.
    The brake light switches on 67-68 are very sensitive and if not installed with the proper bushings and washers they will not work properly.
    Disk, drum, manual and power switches are all different

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    9/05/2021 8:45 AM  #11

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
    Posts: 2,644

    Re: Brake Light PressureSwitch

    Toploader wrote:

    It was definitely the brake light pressure switch (that connects to the master cylinder on my car). I replaced it with a (made in the USA) Fuelmiser brand.
    I do hope this one lasts me a while.
    Interesting to note that Ford changed the design in 1965 to a switch mounted under the dash. Does this mean that the master cylinder type are not that great?

    Many years ago, I had an early 60's Falcon, the pressure switch failed, I found out when someone rear ended me and yelled at me because the brake lights didn't work!
     

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

     

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