The Ford Barn

roadster · 12-04-2012, 03:39 PM

Just got a 1951 Ford today Dec. 4th 2012
I drove it home and every thing works but brake lights.
The turn signals work, tail lights work , back up lights work.
seems like it may be brake light switch..
I'm not fimilar with the 51 Ford and not sure how to fix.
can anyone give me information.
Thanks

Big Red 51 · 12-04-2012, 03:44 PM

The switch screws into front of brake master cylinder, under the hood. Most likely cause. Can get one at NAPA or others. If not cause, check the wiring on the switch and make sure plugged in good or open wire.
Good Luck, Don H

jdl · 12-04-2012, 03:49 PM

it is most likely your brake light switch. it screws itno the back the back of the master cyl. remove the two wires from the switch and connect them together, the stoplights should light up, if not you need to check the wiring. you can get the switch at most all local parts stores.

jdl · 12-04-2012, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Red 51

The switch screws into front of brake master cylinder, under the hood. Most likely cause. Can get one at NAPA or others. If not cause, check the wiring on the switch and make sure plugged in good or open wire.
Good Luck, Don H

The master cyl on 51 fords is under the car next to the frame. they relocated it to under the hood in 1952 and up.

rotorwrench · 12-04-2012, 03:54 PM

You can test the switch by pulling the two leads and jumpering the terminals. If you have factory turn signals, there may be a problem with their interface with the brake lights.

B-O-B · 12-04-2012, 03:58 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

better off with one like this, less problems.

roadster · 12-04-2012, 04:11 PM

Everyone ,thanks for all the information.

B-O-B
what is that switch called and can i get it at NAPA
Thanks

tintoptexan · 12-04-2012, 04:30 PM

I used one from a Harley Davidson because it takes less pressure to activate it. Works fine in the 49.

roadster · 12-04-2012, 05:03 PM

Here is the 51 Ford

Cecil/WV · 12-04-2012, 05:41 PM

I think I saw you on I-70 early this afternoon headed east around Rt 97. Did you get Marvin Meyers '51???

roadster · 12-04-2012, 05:49 PM

yes I did buy his car.
I was doing 65 on rt70 with my wife following me.

Cecil/WV · 12-04-2012, 07:15 PM

That's a pretty nice car!

Cecil/WV · 12-04-2012, 07:17 PM

Now you should join our V8 club! Unless you are already a member.

roadster · 12-04-2012, 07:24 PM

Thanks I'll think about it.
This is a real nice 51.
I've been to a number of their shows.

Had only Model A Ford's until now.
But I liked driving the 51.

bk53 · 12-04-2012, 07:41 PM

wow that is a nice looking car. I hope you have a lot of fun with it.

B-O-B · 12-04-2012, 11:00 PM

It's a mechanical brake light switch & yes NAPA should have it for around $7.00 The one pictured is Speedways. Mounts under the brake pedal arm as when you hit your brakes it activates the switch. It seems the newer hydralic switches don't last. Never tried a Harly one may be better quality. I have one on my 57 bird & the 32 roadster . Not the same one tho as I don't want to be changing it back & forth . hheh heh he just a little humor there.

roadster · 12-05-2012, 10:50 AM

Replaced brake light switch today and it works fine
Thanks all

Old Redneck · 12-05-2012, 11:59 AM

What a nice looking 51. You will have lots of happy days in that car. Nice car to drive.

12-04-2012, 03:39 PM	#1
roadster Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Severn,Maryland Posts: 132	1951 Ford Just got a 1951 Ford today Dec. 4th 2012 I drove it home and every thing works but brake lights. The turn signals work, tail lights work , back up lights work. seems like it may be brake light switch.. I'm not fimilar with the 51 Ford and not sure how to fix. can anyone give me information. Thanks

12-04-2012, 03:44 PM	#2
Big Red 51 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 131	Re: 1951 Ford The switch screws into front of brake master cylinder, under the hood. Most likely cause. Can get one at NAPA or others. If not cause, check the wiring on the switch and make sure plugged in good or open wire. Good Luck, Don H

12-04-2012, 03:49 PM	#3
jdl Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: California Central Coast Posts: 931	Re: 1951 Ford it is most likely your brake light switch. it screws itno the back the back of the master cyl. remove the two wires from the switch and connect them together, the stoplights should light up, if not you need to check the wiring. you can get the switch at most all local parts stores.

12-04-2012, 03:54 PM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: 1951 Ford You can test the switch by pulling the two leads and jumpering the terminals. If you have factory turn signals, there may be a problem with their interface with the brake lights. Last edited by rotorwrench; 12-04-2012 at 07:53 PM.

12-04-2012, 03:58 PM	#6
B-O-B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ft Mohave,Az Posts: 1,987	Re: 1951 Ford Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) better off with one like this, less problems.

12-04-2012, 04:11 PM	#7
roadster Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Severn,Maryland Posts: 132	Re: 1951 Ford Everyone ,thanks for all the information. B-O-B what is that switch called and can i get it at NAPA Thanks

12-04-2012, 04:30 PM	#8
tintoptexan Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granbury, Texas Posts: 66	Re: 1951 Ford I used one from a Harley Davidson because it takes less pressure to activate it. Works fine in the 49. __________________ Joe.

12-04-2012, 05:41 PM	#10
Cecil/WV Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gerrardstown, WV Posts: 2,266	Re: 1951 Ford I think I saw you on I-70 early this afternoon headed east around Rt 97. Did you get Marvin Meyers '51???

12-04-2012, 05:49 PM	#11
roadster Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Severn,Maryland Posts: 132	Re: 1951 Ford yes I did buy his car. I was doing 65 on rt70 with my wife following me.

12-04-2012, 07:15 PM	#12
Cecil/WV Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gerrardstown, WV Posts: 2,266	Re: 1951 Ford That's a pretty nice car!

12-04-2012, 07:17 PM	#13
Cecil/WV Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gerrardstown, WV Posts: 2,266	Re: 1951 Ford Now you should join our V8 club! Unless you are already a member.

12-04-2012, 07:24 PM	#14
roadster Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Severn,Maryland Posts: 132	Re: 1951 Ford Thanks I'll think about it. This is a real nice 51. I've been to a number of their shows. Had only Model A Ford's until now. But I liked driving the 51.

12-04-2012, 07:41 PM	#15
bk53 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Near Dallas Posts: 387	Re: 1951 Ford wow that is a nice looking car. I hope you have a lot of fun with it.

12-04-2012, 11:00 PM	#16
B-O-B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ft Mohave,Az Posts: 1,987	Re: 1951 Ford It's a mechanical brake light switch & yes NAPA should have it for around $7.00 The one pictured is Speedways. Mounts under the brake pedal arm as when you hit your brakes it activates the switch. It seems the newer hydralic switches don't last. Never tried a Harly one may be better quality. I have one on my 57 bird & the 32 roadster . Not the same one tho as I don't want to be changing it back & forth . hheh heh he just a little humor there.

12-05-2012, 10:50 AM	#17
roadster Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Severn,Maryland Posts: 132	Re: 1951 Ford Replaced brake light switch today and it works fine Thanks all

12-05-2012, 11:59 AM	#18
Old Redneck Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesburg,Pa. Posts: 1,910	Re: 1951 Ford What a nice looking 51. You will have lots of happy days in that car. Nice car to drive.