Quick question: brake light switch

[Mark D]

My parts book still hasn't arrived or i'd be looking this up myself. Can someone tell me where the brake light switch is located? Lost my brake lights last weekend and I want to start troubleshooting at the switch. All bulbs and grounds seem to be in order at the trunk, so I figured it was the next logical location to look for trouble.

Second question, are the front blinkers supposed to act as parking lights as well? First detent on the light switch doesn't seem to turn them on.

thanks - mark

[Plymouthy Adams]

check to see if it is mounted on one of the brake lines in close proxmity to the master cylinder..when you find it..just jumper across the terminal with the key on..if you got brake lights, odds are the switch is defective..

[Don Coatney]

I believe brake lights are "hot" all the time even with the key off.

[TodFitch]

I believe brake lights are "hot" all the time even with the key off.

That is certainly the case on my old Plymouth. But it is 15 years older than the ones most talked about on this forum so it might have changed over the years.

[greg g]

The switch is usually near the MC, it usually mounts to a block where the lines for the front brakes split, at least that where mine is. The switch itself maybe difficult to obtain at car parts places, if so many motorcycles and ATV use the same switch and should be a source for a replacement if you cant find one at the local bubble pack store.

Last year, I was having problems with my brake lights. I am running 3 55 watt 6v halogens so they draw a bit more amps than stock.

If I sat at a light withthe brake lights on along with the head lamps, it would slowly de solder the 30 amp fuse on the head lamp switch.

So I abandoned the power wire from the headlamp switch to the brake switch, and made up a new power line using 10 gauge wire with an inline 30 amp fuse that comes off the bat side of the solenoid and feed the brake switch independent from the headlamp switch.

No more blown fuses, and brighter light are the result.

This is what you are looking for

[Young Ed]

I've been able to get new ones from napa but they have the opposite bullet connection as the OEM one that was on my p15. A p15 should be under the hood basically straight down from the firewall on the inside of the frame. I've seen some later models that moved them to the back near where the line goes to rubber for the rear axle.

[1941Rick]

On my 41 the park lites come on with the first detent and go off when the headlights are on....they are also the signal light

[desoto1939]

Ok, I checked my Autolite books and here are the numbers

Dodge/Ply 46-51 100810A

or 100810FC. I do not have any pictures to be specific but it might be the connectsion that are the difference.

Rich HArtung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[Mark D]

Thanks Gents - Will jump it out and report back later. - Mark

[Mark D]

Thanks Gents - Will jump it out and report back later. - Mark

[Phil Martin]

on my 50 dodge the switch is in brake line back near the rearend.

[Tom Skinner]

Mark,

My switch is on the Frame behind the Radiator on the Driver's side of my 1948"Crashler".(as our buddy Don C would say). Hope you fid it - its easy to replace.

Tom Skinner

Huntersville, NC

[Alshere59]

Mark,

My switch is on the Frame behind the Radiator on the Driver's side of my 1948"Crashler".(as our buddy Don C would say). Hope you fid it - its easy to replace.

Tom Skinner

Huntersville, NC

Yep once you Fid it just replace it. Its easy.

[Mark D]

Found it! But the switch tested fine and wasn't the problem after all. As usual it was a bad ground. Ran a separate ground to the trunk lid and everything works fine now. And the bonus is that the lights are much brighter too! Thanks all.

[greg g]

You might want to run seperate grounds at the tail lights also. Simple and effective.

Also the head light ground goes from the bulb socket to the headlamp bucket. The bucket mounts to the fender. the gound screw in the bucket, the screw aligns precisly where the front tire kick up road schmutz onto the the end of the screw. As such the groud tends to get corrupted. So if you get a chance, you might want to clean those for improved headlamp performance.

[Gary Manes]

The brake switch on all the MOPARS during this period are under the radiator where the brake line crosses to the passenger side. Easy to spot.

[Young Ed]

My 48 plymouth and 46 dodge truck are not under the radiator.

[greg g]

All is an inclusive term that apparently does not aply to all, as mine is nowhere near the location you suggest, where All should be. I would however agree that All are located along a brake line somewhere.

[Young Ed]

If you look really close to the left of the steering column in the corner formed by the steering box and column you can see mine.

[CHROMEADDICT]

My 1946 Dodge Custom has it below the steering column in front of the firewall on top of the frame.