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  •  » Brake Lights

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    7/18/2013 8:09 AM  #1

    riwall
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    From: Sherman, Texas
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 228

    Brake Lights

    I am told that the brake lights on my '67 automatic are intermittent. Often they will light up when I step on the pedal but then go out - for instance, they will light up when I'm stopping at a red light but then go out while I'm stopped waiting for the light to change. Any suggestions for trouble shooting? Thanks,  E

     

    7/18/2013 8:34 AM  #2

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,661

    Re: Brake Lights

    For some reason, 67's that have power brakes are very susceptible to that problem.  The fix is usually a new brake light switch.  If your car has power brakes, be sure to specify a switch for power brakes.  It has a lighter spring in the switch.

    If you are sitting still and press harder on the pedal, does the brake light come on?

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

    7/18/2013 8:44 AM  #3

    riwall
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    From: Sherman, Texas
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    Re: Brake Lights

    I just dropped it off at the paint shop this morning to have them redo a couple of areas I was not happy with. My wife was following me and reminded me of the brake problem. I'm going to have a closer look at it when I pick the car up but I think I'll order a switch on spec. It does have power brakes - actually front discs too. Thanks for your help. 

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    7/20/2013 7:58 PM  #4

    riwall
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    From: Sherman, Texas
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    Re: Brake Lights

    I read a post somewhere about a similar problem. My brake light problem "may" have started when I converted to front discs - it is tough to know that you have a brake light problem especially if it is intermittent. Anyway, in the post the chap who had also converted to front discs said that his brake light problem was solved when he installed a 67/68 brake light switch for power disc brakes. I ordered a '67 brake light switch for power brakes and it will be here Monday. Is there a difference between that and one for power disc brakes? Thanks,  E

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    7/20/2013 11:08 PM  #5

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Brake Lights

    Same part.  It is the POWER art that changes the switch, not the type of brakes.

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

    7/21/2013 7:27 AM  #6

    BobC
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    From: Clinton, MI
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 444

    Re: Brake Lights

    When I installed my power disc brakes frrom manual drums, I also had a problem with my brake lights.  I changed the brake light swich to a switch for power brakes as recommended by MS and I have had no more trouble. Compared side by side the switches are noticably different.

    Bash Host MSBB XVI.       BobC    1966 Mustang Coupe
     

    7/21/2013 8:20 AM  #7

    riwall
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    From: Sherman, Texas
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    Re: Brake Lights

    OK great. It appears that it may be a bit awkward to get at. I'll give it a shot but I'm not sure that my 67 year old body will want to crawl under the dash. Getting old sucks. E.

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    7/21/2013 9:23 AM  #8

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Brake Lights

    I used to be able to change a brake light switch using only one hand.  I bet I am severely out of practice on that job now.

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

    7/21/2013 11:53 AM  #9

    terry
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    From: vandalia, illinois
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Brake Lights

    steve if you want a new part to perfect on a classic mustang, redo the brake light switch set up!!!!  I'll be the first in line to buy one.  in fact if you were to tell me today that you were going to work on that I MIGHT send you payment today!!!  MIGHT!!  Mine keeps sticking on!

     

    7/23/2013 12:37 PM  #10

    riwall
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    From: Sherman, Texas
    Registered: 4/02/2013
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    Re: Brake Lights

    OK, I finally got my car back from the paint shop and checked out the brake lights. The brake lights come on only when applying heavy pressure to the brake pedal. If I ease off the pedal even a little the brake lights go out. So they do work but only with heavy pressure. Will a new switch make any difference? It is a mechanical switch so maybe it has lost some sensitivity? Thanks for any advice.  E. 

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    7/23/2013 2:39 PM  #11

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Brake Lights

    riwall wrote:

    OK, I finally got my car back from the paint shop and checked out the brake lights. The brake lights come on only when applying heavy pressure to the brake pedal. If I ease off the pedal even a little the brake lights go out. So they do work but only with heavy pressure. Will a new switch make any difference? It is a mechanical switch so maybe it has lost some sensitivity? Thanks for any advice.  E. 

     Did you replace the switch with a power brake switch?

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

    7/23/2013 4:03 PM  #12

    riwall
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    From: Sherman, Texas
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    Re: Brake Lights

    Not yet. The kid that helps me with awkward/complicated things is coming over tonight to do it. The car came with power brakes so it should be an identical switch - just new. Maybe the old one just got tired.  

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    7/23/2013 7:56 PM  #13

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Brake Lights

    67's with power brakes did have that problem alot.  Part of the problem is the angle of the booster/firewall.  If the booster looks like it is not level or if it slopes downward to the front, the pedal and booster shaft will not have the correct geometry to actuate the switch.

    Be sure the switch has the correct flanged bushing still on the pedal pin or it will be sloppy fit and not work right.

    I bet the new switch does the trick.

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

    7/25/2013 5:39 PM  #14

    riwall
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    From: Sherman, Texas
    Registered: 4/02/2013
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    Re: Brake Lights

    OK, the kid came over and changed the switch in two minutes. Voila! The brake lights work just like they should! The switch he removed was the original. Darn thing only lasted 46 years. I oughta complain to Ford about their poor quality products!  E. 

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    7/25/2013 5:50 PM  #15

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Brake Lights

    Excellent!  It is amazing that stuff on new cars, like ignition switches, wear out and fail catastrophically requiring a tow to the dealership to be fixed, where the old cars keep on going seemingly forever.

    They are in the business to sell cars.

    They are just doing everything in their power to make it as annoying as possible for you to own a five year old car so you will finally decide you will endure less pain with a new one.

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

    7/25/2013 6:13 PM  #16

    hmartin025
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    Re: Brake Lights

    My group at work (5 of us) maintained a fleet of cars, panels, 1 Ton delivery trucks and one of the ongoing problems was brake lights especially on the 1 Ton rigs. The two grease monkeys we had would jump in the truck after a complaint of "No Brake Lights" and stomp the pedal and say "that idiot driver" is crazy,. the brake lights work fine!!! When in fact the brake light switch was defective because loss of sensitivity. So a good lesson for all when checking brake lights.
    Howard
     

     

    7/27/2013 2:52 AM  #17

    rmousir
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    Re: Brake Lights

    you know I had some issues when I swapped to power brakes and I went through 3 or 4 switches.  Finally gave up and almost scrapped the whole project I was so frustrated.  Then I decided to put in a line switch.  Works great.  Not the fix I wanted but sometimes I gotta just go with it.  Just thought I put that out there.

     

     

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