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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Brake Light Problem

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Old Apr 11, 2024 | 09:37 AM
  #1  
mitch122786's Avatar
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Brake Light Problem

Brake lights don’t come on unless the pedal is fully pressed. Changed the switch, but that didn’t work. When I slightly press the brake, the lights won’t activate unless I press up on the brake switch. What can I do? Thank you.
 
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Old Apr 11, 2024 | 10:23 AM
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What year, model, engine and transmission truck are you working on?
 
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Old Apr 11, 2024 | 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by rla2005
What year, model, engine and transmission truck are you working on?
Sorry. 1990 F150 straight 6 with manual tranny.
 
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Old Apr 11, 2024 | 12:49 PM
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I followed this video and tried adjusting the bushing thickness on mine, on my '88.
That didn't work for me, so I disassembled the switch, by bending the tabs of the metal plate that the arrow is pointing to.


The green hockey stick shaped line represents the strip of metal inside the switch, that makes contact to turn on the brake lights.
I had to slightly bend that metal strip, so the contacts are closer together, so less foot pressure is needed.
 
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Old Apr 11, 2024 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by rla2005
What year, model, engine and transmission truck are you working on?
Sorry. 1990 F150 straight 6 manual tranny.
 
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Old Apr 12, 2024 | 06:59 AM
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Common, done it
You might just have the washers and sleeve in the wrong position
Done it myself back in the old days
Too bad you bent the switch tabs. you will need a new switch now possibly
You put the black sleeve on the lever post first but do not push it on the post all the way
Then you put the cut leg of the switch over the post and behind that black sleeve
Slide it, and the black sleeve the rest of the way on the post and install the white washer and the clip
That way the switch is loose on the post and will activate the lights upon the slightest push
 
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Old Apr 12, 2024 | 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by manicmechanic007
Common, done it
You might just have the washers and sleeve in the wrong position
Done it myself back in the old days
Too bad you bent the switch tabs. you will need a new switch now possibly
You put the black sleeve on the lever post first but do not push it on the post all the way
Then you put the cut leg of the switch over the post and behind that black sleeve
Slide it, and the black sleeve the rest of the way on the post and install the white washer and the clip
That way the switch is loose on the post and will activate the lights upon the slightest push
Yes, it was risky bending the metal tabs to disassemble the switch. I was thinking as I did it, that if I broke the switch, I wouldn't be able to drive the truck for lack of brake lights.
It didn't break, and slightly closing the gap in the contacts worked.
 
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