Brake Light Switch

[MDJEEPER]

The brake pedal on my project Jeep does not always fully return to the point where it turns off the brake lights. I think this may be because the pedal return spring is a little worn. However, the pedal is not way off, just barely enough to not make contact with the switch.

Is there any easy fix for this? I don't know exactly what it takes to reach the return spring, but it almost looks like the dash has to be removed??

How about adjusting the brake light switch itself, so the brake does not have to raise up quite so high to make contact??

 

[Old Dog]

How about adjusting the brake light switch itself, so the brake does not have to raise up quite so high to make contact??

It's been awhile since I put mine together but I think you can adjust the switch. If I'm wrong someone will say so.

 

[MDJEEPER]

It's been awhile since I put mine together but I think you can adjust the switch. If I'm wrong someone will say so.

That's what I think too, but I have a hard time getting my head up underneath there to see anything, and I am not exactly sure what the switch looks like on a Jeep....

 

[BajaEdition]

another option, the one I use, cut a pressure switch into the brake line and extend the wires to it

 

[IOPort51]

X2 on that, I hate the brake switch on a CJ.
It would be reachable if you had an additional elbow between your wrist and the existing elbow.
I replaced mine with hydraulic. Finding all the parts is a bit frustrating but I think it is well worth it.

for the time being the brake switch does screw down toward the brake peddle.
Do not try to bend the tab it contacts with, it is quite capable of breaking off and then the fun really begins.

another option, the one I use, cut a pressure switch into the brake line and extend the wires to it

 

[Old Dog]

Here's a pic. of the switch Brake Light Switch (w/o Cruise Control) 5352620 by the Jeep Specialists | Morris 4x4 Center

 

[MDJEEPER]

X2 on that, I hate the brake switch on a CJ.
It would be reachable if you had an additional elbow between your wrist and the existing elbow.
I replaced mine with hydraulic. Finding all the parts is a bit frustrating but I think it is well worth it.

for the time being the brake switch does screw down toward the brake peddle.
Do not try to bend the tab it contacts with, it is quite capable of breaking off and then the fun really begins.

How do you make this adjustment? I still can't really see the switch...even with Old Dog's picture...let alone think about trying to get a wrench up in there!!

 

[IOPort51]

this may help

 

[MDJEEPER]

this may help

Thanks for the picture!

Gee, that swtich looks so easy to get to when there's no dash or wiring in the way!!

If I can get my hand up in there, can I just push the whole assmbly forward (toward the brake pedal)?

 

[IOPort51]

In reality, it isn't that easy to get to with the dash off.

Thanks for the picture!

Gee, that swtich looks so easy to get to when there's no dash or wiring in the way!!

If I can get my hand up in there, can I just push the whole assmbly forward (toward the brake pedal)?

 

[dslywalker]

Wonder if anyone is still around that worked the CJ asembly lines.That's the guy to ask.

 

[IOPort51]

find a double jointed , malnourished 13 year old girl.

Wonder if anyone is still around that worked the CJ asembly lines.That's the guy to ask.

 

[IOPort51]

This is what mine looks like now, a bit Rube Goldberg but I preferred to add the shortest section of tube rather than cut the existing line.

 

[dslywalker]

This is what mine looks like now, a bit Rube Goldberg but I preferred to add the shortest section of tube rather than cut the existing line.

Those switches work great.Ive had them on my sandrail for years out in the elements.Never replaced one yet.

 

[MDJEEPER]

find a double jointed , malnourished 13 year old girl.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to such a specialized piece of equipment!

Any other suggestions on how to manipulate that switch using a "normal" sized human being??


(BTW: I like the idea of using a pressure switch in the brake line and will have to do that when I upgrade to a power brake system!)

 

[CJ]

If your switch is mounted as IO's is, you don't really need to do much. the locking nuts are not on the switch. Pull the brake wire leads, turn the switch in or out as need then reconnect the leads. It doesn't matter which side of the switch they hook up to.

Man Up!

 

[MDJEEPER]

If your switch is mounted as IO's is, you don't really need to do much. the locking nuts are not on the switch. Pull the brake wire leads, turn the switch in or out as need then reconnect the leads. It doesn't matter which side of the switch they hook up to.

Man Up!

Well, that's exactly my problem...I'm too much of a man to fit under that doggone dash!!

 

[IOPort51]

can you reach the little tab it makes contact with? Perhaps you could super glue a small piece of 1/8" metal or plastic to the face that presses on the switch?? I would consider this treating a symptom rather than fixing a problem but it is the only thing I can think of.
When mine was new the brake lights started staying on. So I took it back to the dealer to have it fixed under the warranty, I think they called the guy in that usually washes the cars before you pick them up do the work on it. He had the same problem we all do , he could not reach it. Rather than adjust the switch,, he grabbed the tab with a pair of vice grips and bent it up. what I did not learn for about 2 years was that he had broken the weld on the bottom of the tab. There is not a whole lot of pressure on the tab so it took a good while to break off but it did.
So if you think adjusting the switch is fun think what a great time can be had welding that little tab back on.

 

[IOPort51]

Brain surgery sounded easy too, and then you get the skull open and it isn't easy at all.

If your switch is mounted as IO's is, you don't really need to do much. the locking nuts are not on the switch. Pull the brake wire leads, turn the switch in or out as need then reconnect the leads. It doesn't matter which side of the switch they hook up to.

Man Up!

 

[MDJEEPER]

If your switch is mounted as IO's is, you don't really need to do much. the locking nuts are not on the switch. Pull the brake wire leads, turn the switch in or out as need then reconnect the leads. It doesn't matter which side of the switch they hook up to.

Man Up!

Thanks to all of the ideas you guys provided, I was able to adjust the brake light switch today. However, I had one piece of advice for others needed to do this....REMOVE the driver's seat FIRST. It makes the job much easier!

...Well, maybe a little easier...Oh, and then there's the ribbing you have to take if anybody sees you lying in Jeep with your feet on the back seat and you head under the dash..."You asleep under there!??"