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Brake Lights not lighting on slow/soft stops

FM Former Member
On the great Napa Wine Tour, I was told that my brake lights were not lighting when I stopped easy (soft) but if I went deep and stopped fast, the lights functioned. I was thinking that I needed to adjust the "mechanical light actuating rod", and I'd do it when I got home. Well, it is not an actuating rod that works the lights it is a pressure switch. I plan to replace the switch soon, but do the switches come in different actuating pressures? I have IM 4 wheel, power discs and for most stopping I dont need to apply much pressure, only rest my foot on the peddle. That does not light the lights, a REAL PROBLEM!.

Thanks for your input.
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FM Former Member
On the great Napa Wine Tour, I was told that my brake lights were not lighting when I stopped easy (soft) but if I went deep and stopped fast, the lights functioned. I was thinking that I needed to adjust the "mechanical light actuating rod", and I'd do it when I got home. Well, it is not an actuating rod that works the lights it is a pressure switch. I plan to replace the switch soon, but do the switches come in different actuating pressures? I have IM 4 wheel, power discs and for most stopping I dont need to apply much pressure, only rest my foot on the peddle. That does not light the lights, a REAL PROBLEM!.

Thanks for your input.
execk2execk2
Hello Dale. I had the same problem and I don't know if you tried this. I re-adjusted the pedal so that I had less pedal slop. The bolt is on your brake pedal. Tighten it a bit. This not only fixed my brake light but made the pedal feel much-much better.

The problem is that the brake shoes are not self adjusting so every once in a while you need to adjust the shoes inside the drums or the pedal.

Try the brake pedal shaft. This goes into the master cylinder and on the front of this is where the switch is located.

Cheers,
FM Former Member
Brake fluid is hydroscopic so you always seem to wind up with some moisture getting into the lines; this in turn may cause corrosion which ende up making a brake light switch sticky or require more pressure to operate. If you don't drive your car over 5,000 miles a year you might want to replace the brake fluid every year; if you drive more than 5,000 replacing it every two years is a good idea.
FM Former Member
Be careful when you put the socket or wrench around the hex on the switch. Some master cylinders have brake lines that press into rubber fittings. It is possible and somewhat easy to knock the brake line loose from the rubber fitting. If that happens you will need to figure a way to use a clamp, a block of wood and a little imagination to get the brake line back into position.
execk2execk2
Crawled under the car today. Bought new ramps :) Took the wires off and crossed them and the lights went on. So I guess the switch is......what's that GERMAN word....KAPUT! I thought that I would have only 2 wires like my '66 Ghia but lo and behold 3 wires. I guess I have dual cylinders. Just ordered 2 switches from CIP1.com and will get them later this week. Now how about that turn signal. ......grumble.....grumble........

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