OMG, these brake light switches are making me mad!!

Topic: OMG, these brake light switches are making me mad!! (Read 2335 times) previous topic - next topic

OMG, these brake light switches are making me mad!!

August 26, 2005, 12:16:30 PM

Recently when i was leaving from work i couldn't get my car to go in drive. Looking out my rear view mirror i noticed my brake lights weren't coming on and i was using the same amount of force on the brake pedal that i always did. I had to practically push with all my might on the pedal to get the brake lights on so i could put my car in drive. So i got a new switch, installed it, the lights come on easier now, but i have to push the pedal a good 3-4 inches before they do (i even bought 2 switches to make sure the first one wasn't messed up, but both are doing same thing). I might as well not even have brake lights because by the time i push it that far i am stopped and i gave the car behind me no warning, i know i am pushing my luck before i get rear ended. I dont think there is anyway to adjust the stupid switches (thanks Ford!), so anyone have any ideas to get my lights to come on sooner??
Sorry for such a long post..

Re: OMG, these brake light switches are making me mad!!

Reply #1 – August 26, 2005, 12:34:01 PM

i dont remember on my bird, but there is possibly an adjustment on the switch, i dont remember off the top of my head, i can try to find out later

i dont know why you had a hard time getting into gear, i drove around without brake lights and didnt even know it

Re: OMG, these brake light switches are making me mad!!

Reply #2 – August 26, 2005, 12:35:38 PM

Flip the switch over...it can only go one way. There is an angled seat on the switch, to match the angled bracket coming off the pedal. If you flip it the wrong way you get a delay in the switch working.

Also, double check the wiring going into it. It likes to break off.

Re: OMG, these brake light switches are making me mad!!

Reply #3 – August 26, 2005, 12:59:07 PM

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but there is possibly an adjustment on the switch

i dont think there is an adjustment on this switch

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i dont know why you had a hard time getting into gear, i drove around without brake lights and didnt even know it

was it just your brake lights were burnt out. somehow the tranny is connected to the switch because if it doesn't sense that the brake is being pushed (like the switch being broke) it wont let you pull it out of park

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Flip the switch over...it can only go one way.

i've tried flipping it around and its at such a weird angle that its putting enough force on the switch to keep the lights on constantly, so i'm pretty sure i have it on right. and the wiring looks fine

Re: OMG, these brake light switches are making me mad!!

Reply #4 – August 26, 2005, 01:04:23 PM

Quote from: Spyderrc10gt2

was it just your brake lights were burnt out. somehow the tranny is connected to the switch because if it doesn't sense that the brake is being pushed (like the switch being broke) it wont let you pull it out of park

nope, the wire broke off of the switch, once or twice, it grounded against something under the dash and blew the fuse too

at least try what Eric said, and try flipping it over again, cant hurt to try if youre out of ideas

and its very possible for the wire to have an internal break

Re: OMG, these brake light switches are making me mad!!

Reply #5 – August 26, 2005, 01:15:05 PM

(click to enlarge)
thats the switch

(click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)
its kinda blurry, but thats the correct way the switch goes right??

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and its very possible for the wire to have an internal break

the brake lights work, you just have to push further on the pedal to get them to turn on. so doesn;t that mean the wires would be fine and its just something with the switch??

Re: OMG, these brake light switches are making me mad!!

Reply #6 – August 26, 2005, 01:17:43 PM

I think it looks fine...hard to tell (much props to you, for trying to take photos at that goofy angle!). You just may need a new brake switch, that's all.

Re: OMG, these brake light switches are making me mad!!

Reply #7 – August 26, 2005, 01:54:22 PM

No kidding... what a pain it is to replace that thing.
I've not only had a switch go bad, but I've had the wires break off as well. The worst part was driving around without any brake lights until I was the one who found out about it... usually backing up at night.
I'm surprised you have problems shifting from park. I thought that was only an MN12 thing.

Re: OMG, these brake light switches are making me mad!!

Reply #8 – August 26, 2005, 01:55:06 PM

lol, i dont think Ford had people 6+ft in mind when they designed that area.

being 6'2'' and trying to squeeze in there is a PITA, i think i'm gonna need a new back by the time this is over

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You just may need a new brake switch, that's all.

i just bought it yesterday and its my 2nd switch since the original broke and both new ones did the same thing

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I'm surprised you have problems shifting from park. I thought that was only an MN12 thing.

its a 93, does that have anything to do with it?

Re: OMG, these brake light switches are making me mad!!

Reply #9 – August 26, 2005, 02:00:16 PM

just to make sure, that opened end part of the switch gets sandwiched between the brake pedal and the push rod, right? or does it go on the outside by the clip?

Re: OMG, these brake light switches are making me mad!!

Reply #10 – August 26, 2005, 08:56:15 PM

Quote from: Spyderrc10gt2

its a 93, does that have anything to do with it?

That's got everything to do with it - Fox cars (81-88) don't have that interlock. I was kind of wondering why you couldn't get out of park too, since I have had that wire break on two cars and could shift fine. I only noticed because in both cars I had remote starters with keyless entry and the doors lock when the brake is pressed. I noticed the doors not locking.