The Ford Barn

Daves55Sedan · 10-12-2013, 02:28 AM

I have been replacing stoplight switches over and over again.
People keep telling me my brake lights don't work. If I press on the pedal very hard, the lights DO light up, but normally it does not take that much pressure to stop, so probably most of the time, the lights are not coming on.
Could this be caused by brake shoes un-evenly adjusted, or having the rear shoes way out of adjustment?
Could it be because I am using silicone brake fluid?
Are these replacement switches defective?

SSsssteamer · 10-12-2013, 08:45 AM

Even when new in the 50's, the hydraulic brake light switches were only good for about 4 years. About a couple years life if the car isn't a daily driver. In 1963, my 1957 Ford was on its second brake light switch, and the motor hardly ever got cooled off. This is about the worst case scenario. Then one hears about the brake light switch that is still working after 20 years use.

Ole Don · 10-12-2013, 09:15 AM

I have changed to a push switch from a Dodge pickup mounted on a home made bracket bolted to the inside of the master cylinder stud. It seems to last about four times longer.
Find a parts seller who will allow you to look at pictures in an old book to find one. I never recorded a part number. The correct way to do this would be to wire brakes lights through a relay, with a third mounted at the top of the back window.

40cpe · 10-12-2013, 09:27 AM

It has been alleged that the silicone fluid is doing it. Some have used a hydraulic switch from a Harley Davidson motorcycle because they are made for silicone.

I, like most others using silicone, have rigged some sort of mount for a mechanical switch.

tdlmomowers · 10-12-2013, 10:12 AM

A mechanical switch would be a good fix. Go to your local NAPA store and ask to look at the Echlin buyers guide. Look at the section for switches with a letter prefix of, SL. These are all stoplight switches. The buyers guide has pictures of each switch. It shouldn't be too hard to make a bracket and mount a switch on the pedal linkage.

George49Ford · 10-12-2013, 08:09 PM

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You might look for a low pressure brake light switch. I got one last year on that "E" site. So far, still seems to work fine but hasn't been on very long.

estout81 · 10-12-2013, 08:17 PM

I had same trouble with stock brake lite switch on my F-1. I bought a Harley Davidson switch and it has worked great for three years. Takes very little pedal pressure. No mod's required!

oldbugger · 10-13-2013, 08:51 PM

I have 2 cars that have the dot 5 silicone fluid, had the same problem with both, changed to mechanical switch, end of trouble. good luck. Paul

Paul H · 10-13-2013, 10:41 PM

In their latest catalog,Mac's has a mechanical switch.I put one on my 56 and it works like a charm.Easy install.

Daves55Sedan · 10-14-2013, 06:50 PM

Stopped at NAPA after work. He pulled out the Echlin book and all the stoplight switches they had in stock. Any of those I could have used were not in stock. I will reserve NAPA as a last resort

Daves55Sedan · 10-14-2013, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul H

In their latest catalog,Mac's has a mechanical switch.I put one on my 56 and it works like a charm.Easy install.

Paul, I am slightly familiar with MAC's. Ordered some stuff online once before. Can you give me their part number for the switch so I can look it up on their website???

tdlmomowers · 10-14-2013, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daves55Sedan

Stopped at NAPA after work. He pulled out the Echlin book and all the stoplight switches they had in stock. Any of those I could have used were not in stock. I will reserve NAPA as a last resort

Dave, did the counterman at the NAPA store offer to order a switch for you? If their warehouse had it in stock, they could have it the next day.

Y-Blockhead · 10-14-2013, 11:32 PM

Dave, I used a normally closed momentary push switch similar to these on e-bay. Made a bracket to mount it near the brake pedal so when the pedal is depressed it moves away from the switch. More than likely have them at Radio Shack.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290995447301...84.m1438.l2649

Paul H · 10-15-2013, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daves55Sedan

Paul, I am slightly familiar with MAC's. Ordered some stuff online once before. Can you give me their part number for the switch so I can look it up on their website???

Dave..........Here is Macs part number for their mechanical brake light switch.
13480-UNIV

Daves55Sedan · 10-17-2013, 07:46 PM

Y-blockhead, that switch you suggest which has the contacts CLOSE when the pushbutton is released is exactly what I am after. That way, the lights will come on as soon as you begin to push the brake pedal.
Paul, thanks for looking it up. I will look at it on Macs website.
This thing is going to be remedied one way or the other.

JeffB2 · 10-18-2013, 02:36 AM

Click on this: check out the pictures toward the bottom of the page this is the way I did it also.common GM switch about $5 being able to adjust it so easily is a plus.http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/g...cussionid=8524

Daves55Sedan · 10-19-2013, 04:40 PM

JeffB2 Had to register on HAMB to see what you were trying to show me. Never thought I would go there since it is all hot rodders. Small world, though. I saw a few other folks who frequent fordbarn and fordsix posting on HAMB.
Looks like a great arrangement. ctfortner had a couple of better photos of his installation but its exactly like what you did. I guess I am way behind the times. My car still had its original stoplight switch in it till I converted to silicone fluid. That was back in '92. After that, the old switch only lasted a week. That original switch was much larger than the replacement switches they sell now. I probably won't go that route now but its something to fall back on later.
I ordered the lever action switch PaulH suggested from MACs. I also noticed they sell a "low pressure" switch that is supposed to be silicone fluid compatible. I ordered it also. It replaces the switch on the master cylinder, so I am going to install it and see if it lasts. I will keep the lever action switch on hand if the low press switch fails. Thanks everyone for suggesting so many options.

JeffB2 · 10-19-2013, 04:57 PM

I hope you will join our 1952-59 Ford Group many of the folks have stayed stock under the hood so plenty of information to share.

The Master Cylinder · 12-27-2013, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffB2

Click on this: check out the pictures toward the bottom of the page this is the way I did it also.common GM switch about $5 being able to adjust it so easily is a plus.http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/g...cussionid=8524

With the bracket there does it not limit the brake pedal travel? I think I would check how close the brake pedal travel stop comes to it with the pedal depressed.

paul2748 · 12-27-2013, 10:51 PM

64 was the last year on a Ford for a hydraulic switch. On my 64, I used a mechanical switch like the ones above (Jeff and Master) It works terrific!!! Underside looks just like the earlier cars.

I hooked it up to the accessory pole of the ignition switch. Then you have to splice the other wire into the stop light wire coming off the turn signal switch (the closest wire near the mech. switch). You have to take off the wires on the hydraulic switch because you get feedback, but can use the hydraulic switch as a backup (you have to take the wire off the mechanical switch for the same reason) if the mech. switch goes out..

Works great, and you can adjust it so the slightest movement of the brake pedal turns on the lights.

The downside to this wiring set up is the cars needs to have the key in the accessory or run position for the light to go on.

It can be power wired differently so the lights go on all the time and would prevent the feedback.

10-12-2013, 02:28 AM	#1
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Trouble with stoplight switch I have been replacing stoplight switches over and over again. People keep telling me my brake lights don't work. If I press on the pedal very hard, the lights DO light up, but normally it does not take that much pressure to stop, so probably most of the time, the lights are not coming on. Could this be caused by brake shoes un-evenly adjusted, or having the rear shoes way out of adjustment? Could it be because I am using silicone brake fluid? Are these replacement switches defective?

10-12-2013, 08:45 AM	#2
SSsssteamer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Posts: 1,023	Re: Trouble with stoplight switch Even when new in the 50's, the hydraulic brake light switches were only good for about 4 years. About a couple years life if the car isn't a daily driver. In 1963, my 1957 Ford was on its second brake light switch, and the motor hardly ever got cooled off. This is about the worst case scenario. Then one hears about the brake light switch that is still working after 20 years use.

10-12-2013, 09:15 AM	#3
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: Trouble with stoplight switch I have changed to a push switch from a Dodge pickup mounted on a home made bracket bolted to the inside of the master cylinder stud. It seems to last about four times longer. Find a parts seller who will allow you to look at pictures in an old book to find one. I never recorded a part number. The correct way to do this would be to wire brakes lights through a relay, with a third mounted at the top of the back window.

10-12-2013, 09:27 AM	#4
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: Trouble with stoplight switch It has been alleged that the silicone fluid is doing it. Some have used a hydraulic switch from a Harley Davidson motorcycle because they are made for silicone. I, like most others using silicone, have rigged some sort of mount for a mechanical switch.

10-12-2013, 10:12 AM	#5
tdlmomowers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 409	Re: Trouble with stoplight switch A mechanical switch would be a good fix. Go to your local NAPA store and ask to look at the Echlin buyers guide. Look at the section for switches with a letter prefix of, SL. These are all stoplight switches. The buyers guide has pictures of each switch. It shouldn't be too hard to make a bracket and mount a switch on the pedal linkage.

10-12-2013, 08:09 PM	#6
George49Ford Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Carson City, NV Posts: 179	Re: Trouble with stoplight switch Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You might look for a low pressure brake light switch. I got one last year on that "E" site. So far, still seems to work fine but hasn't been on very long.

10-12-2013, 08:17 PM	#7
estout81 BANNED Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Utica, Ohio Posts: 522	Re: Trouble with stoplight switch I had same trouble with stock brake lite switch on my F-1. I bought a Harley Davidson switch and it has worked great for three years. Takes very little pedal pressure. No mod's required!

10-13-2013, 08:51 PM	#8
oldbugger Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Holland Mi Posts: 640	Re: Trouble with stoplight switch I have 2 cars that have the dot 5 silicone fluid, had the same problem with both, changed to mechanical switch, end of trouble. good luck. Paul

10-13-2013, 10:41 PM	#9
Paul H Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boonville MO Posts: 104	Re: Trouble with stoplight switch In their latest catalog,Mac's has a mechanical switch.I put one on my 56 and it works like a charm.Easy install. __________________ Paul H.

10-14-2013, 06:50 PM	#10
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: Trouble with stoplight switch Stopped at NAPA after work. He pulled out the Echlin book and all the stoplight switches they had in stock. Any of those I could have used were not in stock. I will reserve NAPA as a last resort

10-14-2013, 11:32 PM	#13
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,849	Re: Trouble with stoplight switch Dave, I used a normally closed momentary push switch similar to these on e-bay. Made a bracket to mount it near the brake pedal so when the pedal is depressed it moves away from the switch. More than likely have them at Radio Shack. http://www.ebay.com/itm/290995447301...84.m1438.l2649

10-17-2013, 07:46 PM	#15
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: Trouble with stoplight switch Y-blockhead, that switch you suggest which has the contacts CLOSE when the pushbutton is released is exactly what I am after. That way, the lights will come on as soon as you begin to push the brake pedal. Paul, thanks for looking it up. I will look at it on Macs website. This thing is going to be remedied one way or the other.

10-18-2013, 02:36 AM	#16
JeffB2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 1,417	Re: Trouble with stoplight switch Click on this: check out the pictures toward the bottom of the page this is the way I did it also.common GM switch about $5 being able to adjust it so easily is a plus.http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/g...cussionid=8524

10-19-2013, 04:40 PM	#17
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: Trouble with stoplight switch JeffB2 Had to register on HAMB to see what you were trying to show me. Never thought I would go there since it is all hot rodders. Small world, though. I saw a few other folks who frequent fordbarn and fordsix posting on HAMB. Looks like a great arrangement. ctfortner had a couple of better photos of his installation but its exactly like what you did. I guess I am way behind the times. My car still had its original stoplight switch in it till I converted to silicone fluid. That was back in '92. After that, the old switch only lasted a week. That original switch was much larger than the replacement switches they sell now. I probably won't go that route now but its something to fall back on later. I ordered the lever action switch PaulH suggested from MACs. I also noticed they sell a "low pressure" switch that is supposed to be silicone fluid compatible. I ordered it also. It replaces the switch on the master cylinder, so I am going to install it and see if it lasts. I will keep the lever action switch on hand if the low press switch fails. Thanks everyone for suggesting so many options.

10-19-2013, 04:57 PM	#18
JeffB2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 1,417	Re: Trouble with stoplight switch I hope you will join our 1952-59 Ford Group many of the folks have stayed stock under the hood so plenty of information to share.

12-27-2013, 10:51 PM	#20
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: Trouble with stoplight switch 64 was the last year on a Ford for a hydraulic switch. On my 64, I used a mechanical switch like the ones above (Jeff and Master) It works terrific!!! Underside looks just like the earlier cars. I hooked it up to the accessory pole of the ignition switch. Then you have to splice the other wire into the stop light wire coming off the turn signal switch (the closest wire near the mech. switch). You have to take off the wires on the hydraulic switch because you get feedback, but can use the hydraulic switch as a backup (you have to take the wire off the mechanical switch for the same reason) if the mech. switch goes out.. Works great, and you can adjust it so the slightest movement of the brake pedal turns on the lights. The downside to this wiring set up is the cars needs to have the key in the accessory or run position for the light to go on. It can be power wired differently so the lights go on all the time and would prevent the feedback.