Any idea of what car the replacement brake light switch might be
from, I'd like to try a switch that lasts at least a year.
...Art
On Fri, 31 Oct 1997 ejrussell@sprynet.com wrote:
> I don't mean to insult your inteligence so I will preface this by
> saying: I spent an hour trying to figure out why the brake lights on my '60
>MGA
> wouldn't work before I took it for my first inspection way back in 1970. The
> answer came when I asked my father for help. He stepped into the garage,
>looked
> at the car from 20 feet away and asked if I had turned on the IGNITION switch!
> If that is not your problem, check the grounds. There is a black wire
> for ground inside the right rear fender (wing). If your tail lights work that
>is
> probably not the problem...
> Check the hydraulic brake light switch under the hood (bonnet). They
> don't last forever. If you have 12 volts going into the switch (ignition ON)
> connect the two wires at the switch together (temporarily). If the brake
>lights
> are now on (ignition ON) the circuit is OK and the switch is bad. It is a
> standard US thread, I get replacements locally. I think the original has
>small
> screws to attach the wires, I made short jumpers to adapt to what I bought
> locally. If you have 12 volts and connecting the two wires does not light the
> brake lights then there may be a break in the circuit leading back to the
>rear
> of the car. Check the bullet connectors inside the right rear fender (wing).
> Sometimes just disconnecting/connecting a few times will clean them.
> If memory serves (and it often doesn't lately - getting into OF
> territory) the directional indicator gets it's power through the fuse box. I
> think the wipers are on the same fused circuit - do they work? Pull the fuses
> and clean the contacts with a small ink erasor or super fine sandpaper. I
>have
> even seen old fuses that look OK at first glance but don't pass
>electricity...
> My experience is with a 1600 model. Since you mention a direction
> indicator relay you must have a 1500 model. Looking at the wiring diagram, it
> would seem that the brake light circuit does indeed go through the relay
>unit.
> Could that be your problem? Sorry, I don't have experience with the relay
>unit.
> P.S. The turn signals also need the ignition switch turned on.
> Good Luck, Eric
> Bridgewater, MA
> <ejrussell@sprynet.com>
>
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