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Discussion Topic:
Faulty Brake-light switch?
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EWATERS |
07-09-2011 @ 9:36 AM
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Member
Posts: 65
Joined: Dec 2009
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Recently, the brake lights on my 1950 Ford kept lighting at random intervals while parked. I would happen to discover this phenomenon and discovered that reverse pressure (pulling) on the brake pedal would extinguish the lights until the next occurrence. Eventually, the brake lights stopped working entirely. I suspect the cause is a faulty brake-light switch which was relatively new. Has anyone experienced a similar situation? Any suggestions as to the cause and steps to prevent a recurrence of this would be appreciated. I suspect that I will have to install a new switch which is very difficult to access in the 1950 Ford.
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supereal |
07-09-2011 @ 9:43 AM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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It is more likely that you don't have enough brake pedal free play, so pressure builds up until you pull the pedal back enough to allow the fluid to return to the master cylinder. It is also possible the the master cylinder residual valve is faulty, if you already have at least an inch of free play in the pedal. That valve retains some pressure when the pedal is released so you don't have to pump the brakes. Brake light switches are normally long lived, unles you are using silicone fluid, which leaks into the switch.
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flathead4rd |
07-09-2011 @ 12:41 PM
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New Member
Posts: 169
Joined: Oct 2009
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What Supereal said plus, the brake light switch on a 50 has got to be one of the easiest to change. Unscrew the old one and screw in the new one.
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trjford8 |
07-09-2011 @ 8:33 PM
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Senior
Posts: 4357
Joined: Oct 2009
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In addition to the other good advice I suspect you may have a weak brake return spring. If you have to pull back on the pedal the retun spring is weak and not returning the pedal properly.
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EWATERS |
07-11-2011 @ 1:01 PM
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Member
Posts: 65
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This is true, but, there is precious little room to access the switch where it is located up near the frame cross-member which supports the transmission. nevertheless, thanks for all the suggestions.
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EWATERS |
07-11-2011 @ 1:02 PM
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Member
Posts: 65
Joined: Dec 2009
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This is true, but, there is precious little room to access the switch where it is located up near the frame cross-member which supports the transmission. nevertheless, thanks for all the suggestions.
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