maine48ply Posted February 4, 2010 Report Posted February 4, 2010 I remember reading a thread at some point about removing the brake light switch (48 Plymouth), but for the life of me, I can't find it. It seems there was special tool or method to do this. I am afraid to mangle something by forcing it. Also, do I need to be concerned with or do anything about the brake lines running to the switch before replacing it? Mark Quote
Jim Benjaminson Posted February 4, 2010 Report Posted February 4, 2010 Not sure if the P15 is like the P10 - but if it is - the electrical lines running to the switch have to be removed first. The end is held in place by a horse shoe clip which has to be removed before the wire can be freed from the switch itself. Once the wires are removed, simply unscrew the switch and replace it. Quote
greg g Posted February 4, 2010 Report Posted February 4, 2010 The switch is a hydraulic unit similar to those still used on ATV and motorcycle's It is located on a brake line usually close to the master cylinder. Do not move the brake pedal after you remove the old switch as this may introduce air into the system necessitating a system bleed. The line may loose some fluid during the change but as the fluid is coming out no air should be able to get in. If you can;t find a switch at the auto parts places, try your local HD dealer. typically they look like this Quote
blueskies Posted February 4, 2010 Report Posted February 4, 2010 As an alternative, you could use one like this- It is a mechanical switch, and mounts to the floor under the brake pedal arm. I like them better, because the brake lights come on right when the pedal moves, before you acutally start to brake. I used another one on the clutch pedal too, for a safety start switch. My clutch pedal has to be pushed in for the starter to work. Pete Quote
maine48ply Posted February 4, 2010 Author Report Posted February 4, 2010 Pete, I couldn't access your photo for some reason. I'd like to see it, as that sounds like an alternative. GregG...I actually picked up a switch at NAPA for about $11.00 Is there a special wrench that needs to be used to remove or can I just find something that works and go to it? Quote
greg g Posted February 4, 2010 Report Posted February 4, 2010 I just used a adjustable on mine. Soaked it up with PB blaster for a couple days. Go back to Petes post and hit your refresh, sometimes his carrier doesn't like to follow the rules. Quote
Vazlov1949 Posted February 4, 2010 Report Posted February 4, 2010 You can find a low pressure version of the original style at RonFrancis.com Brake light come on much quicker with one of these. Quote
blueskies Posted February 4, 2010 Report Posted February 4, 2010 Pete, I couldn't access your photo for some reason. his carrier doesn't like to follow the rules. Yup, still having an issue with my photos showing up when I post them. Networks Solutions says everything is fine... This has been going on for several years now... The "solution" is to hit reload on your browser, and the pics usually show up. Pete Quote
Merle Coggins Posted February 4, 2010 Report Posted February 4, 2010 Yup, still having an issue with my photos showing up when I post them. Networks Solutions says everything is fine... This has been going on for several years now...The "solution" is to hit reload on your browser, and the pics usually show up. Pete Or you can right click on the red X and select "Show Picture" Quote
blueskies Posted February 5, 2010 Report Posted February 5, 2010 With Pete I do not get a "red X". No indication that there is even a pic included. Either the pic is there, or I refresh to get it. Works the same for me on my Firefox browser... The red x is better because at least you know there should have been something to see... Pete Quote
maine48ply Posted February 5, 2010 Author Report Posted February 5, 2010 Pete, I got the red X, then I got the picture. Then I tried to find that part. Where did you get yours? I think I'll simply install the part I picked up at NAPA and see how that works 1st. Its good to know about the options though. Quote
greg g Posted February 5, 2010 Report Posted February 5, 2010 A lot of the hot rod shops ad wirig places have the mechanical brake switch. You can probably just do a internet search ad get a few sources. Quote
blueskies Posted February 5, 2010 Report Posted February 5, 2010 Pete, I got the red X, then I got the picture. Then I tried to find that part. Where did you get yours? I think I'll simply install the part I picked up at NAPA and see how that works 1st. Its good to know about the options though. I can't remember now if I bought the switches through Speedway Motors or Rod n Custom... It's been 7 or 8 years now. They are a common part used on street rods, so you should be able to find them on line from a multitude of places. Pete Quote
thrashingcows Posted February 7, 2010 Report Posted February 7, 2010 As an alternative, you could use one like this- It is a mechanical switch, and mounts to the floor under the brake pedal arm. I like them better, because the brake lights come on right when the pedal moves, before you acutally start to brake. I used another one on the clutch pedal too, for a safety start switch. My clutch pedal has to be pushed in for the starter to work. Pete Like this idea for the brakes as well as for the clutch....Hmmmm Quote
james curl Posted February 7, 2010 Report Posted February 7, 2010 They are also common on '55 thru '59 Chevy pick ups. You can buy them from NAPA and some other auto parts stores. They can be bought from any of about thirty vendors who cater to the early Chevy crowd. Quote
blueskies Posted February 7, 2010 Report Posted February 7, 2010 Speedway Motors has them for $6.99... http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Universal-Mechanical-Brake-Light-Switch,1972.html Quote
P-12 Tommy Posted February 7, 2010 Report Posted February 7, 2010 Speedway Motors has them for $6.99...http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Universal-Mechanical-Brake-Light-Switch,1972.html I was gonna order one of those, but they're on back order.Tom Quote
jd52cranbrook Posted February 7, 2010 Report Posted February 7, 2010 Before you go to all that trouble, a look at the tranny would be helpful I think. My 48 D24 had a back up switch on the tranny, as did two 47's I have seen. Quote
55 Fargo Posted February 7, 2010 Report Posted February 7, 2010 Before you go to all that trouble, a look at the tranny would be helpful I think.My 48 D24 had a back up switch on the tranny, as did two 47's I have seen. Anybody havea pic of the tranny showing where the switch goes, I don't recall seeing this on my 3spd trans.......Fred Quote
jd52cranbrook Posted February 7, 2010 Report Posted February 7, 2010 same side as the speedo cable hookup. I bet within 6 inches of it. I don't have a tranny anymore as I have a T-5. Looks like a large nut about 1.25 inch in diameter, with two female fittings for wires. Quote
55 Fargo Posted February 7, 2010 Report Posted February 7, 2010 Just crawled under my 47, which has a 1951 trans, nothing on this trans for back-up lght switch either...... Quote
Jim Yergin Posted February 8, 2010 Report Posted February 8, 2010 The original '41 transmission in my car did not have a fitting for a back-up light switch but my '53 overdrive trans does. I am using it with this light on my car. Jim Yergin Quote
jd52cranbrook Posted February 8, 2010 Report Posted February 8, 2010 Sorry, guess I thought they all had them. I figured the Chrysler's would have them for those years, so I thought, same transmission. My bad Quote
blueskies Posted February 8, 2010 Report Posted February 8, 2010 Just crawled under my 47, which has a 1951 trans, nothing on this trans for back-up lght switch either...... This is what the switch looks like on my '55 OD transmission- (reload your browser if the pic doesn't show) I don't know if my original '50 transmission had the switch or not... but I thought it was optional equipment to have the backup light with the switch on the transmission. I'll have a look at it tonight just for grins. Wondering if there is a plug there instead if you don't have the switch? Pete Quote
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