Brake Light Switch Backwards

[rotorwrench]

Brake light switches of the pressure activated type are becoming less common for design in the modern era. A lot of them are Hecho in Mexico now days. I've had several new ones go bad and even start leaking. The old ones lasted a life time but they guy that owned the car before died so the life time is up.

[Chris Haynes]

Originally Posted by Bob C

Is this how your switch is mounted??

I have never seen a switch mounted there. All I have seen were on the X member.

[Jeff M]

Originally Posted by redmodelt

Re "most hydraulic switches fail quite often" Maybe you would like to explain that one a bit more or were is that information coming from?
Up at the start of this you said you took it apart, was not sure why you would take a new switch apart, but maybe that has something to do with it.

I took it apart because the aftermarket '28-'29 switches are known for not working out of the package. When I took it apart the contacts didn't touch with the plunger pulled back, so I fixed that issue before installing it.

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

With hydraulic brakes I too would have probably used the master cylinder switch. They were used reliably for decades. But, he decided to use a mechanical switch.

I'm using a later dual circuit master cylinder, not a factory style early Ford with the rear mounted switch.

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

Brake light switches of the pressure activated type are becoming less common for design in the modern era. A lot of them are Hecho in Mexico now days. I've had several new ones go bad and even start leaking. The old ones lasted a life time but they guy that owned the car before died so the life time is up.

Exactly!

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes

I have never seen a switch mounted there. All I have seen were on the X member.

That is where the '28-'29 switches are mounted, I'm using the earlier switch on my '30.

I've been tied up all week but I plan to get some shop time in tomorrow and figure what's going on.

[Patrick L.]

Well, if you're using hydraulic brakes then the dual cylinder is a good idea. And I do agree with the opinion of a lot of new parts nowadays.

[ryanheacox]

Originally Posted by Jeff M

I took it apart because the aftermarket '28-'29 switches are known for not working out of the package. When I took it apart the contacts didn't touch with the plunger pulled back, so I fixed that issue before installing it.

I can't help but think the problem has to be in the switch still. If you're sure that there is no grounding issue I don't know what else the problem can be. A quick check would be to put an ohmeter across the switch with the battery disconnected and check the continuity.