Brake lite Switch Question
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 239
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From: Fremont, CA
Brake lite Switch Question
I have a pressure type brake switch in my 1955 F100.
one lead on the brake switch gets 12 volt from the fuse, the other lead goes to the steering Column which eventually feeds the brake light when activated.
We put a meter on the lead coming from the switch to the column and showed approx 10.88-11.20 volts. It will not lite a test lite or the brakes. Wouldn't this voltage be enough to at least lite the test light bulb even dimly?
Any thoughts to troubleshoot?
one lead on the brake switch gets 12 volt from the fuse, the other lead goes to the steering Column which eventually feeds the brake light when activated.
We put a meter on the lead coming from the switch to the column and showed approx 10.88-11.20 volts. It will not lite a test lite or the brakes. Wouldn't this voltage be enough to at least lite the test light bulb even dimly?
Any thoughts to troubleshoot?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 3
From: Comox Valley, Canada
No not necessarily........ sometimes you can measure the voltage but due to corrosion or a bad connection as soon as you put a load on the circuit all the voltage is dropped at the high resistance of the corrosion or bad connection.
Try removing the fuse and clean the contacts of it, reinstall it and try again.
If you are measuring after the switch try your test lite on the wire suppling 12 volts to the switch, if the lite comes on the problem is the switch or it connections.
Try removing the fuse and clean the contacts of it, reinstall it and try again.
If you are measuring after the switch try your test lite on the wire suppling 12 volts to the switch, if the lite comes on the problem is the switch or it connections.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 239
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From: Fremont, CA
Thanks Sparky.
I have 12volts at the switch, so I am thinking the problem is from the switch to the column.
Someone at the Auto parts store said maybe a bad ground. Does that make sense?
I have 12volts at the switch, so I am thinking the problem is from the switch to the column.
Someone at the Auto parts store said maybe a bad ground. Does that make sense?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 800
Likes: 6
From: Edmonton, Alberta Canada
the only place it is grounded is at the tail lights. the rest of the circuit is just a single line circuit from power source through brake switch, through signal switch and then to brake lights theselves. check your taillight hosuing to see that it is grounded properly. if you turn signals light fine, then your problem is in the brake circuit.
do you have 12v leading to the switch then less volts after the switch. if so you have either dirty contacts or a defective switch. just about every vehicle i have owned with these brake switches have failed at one time or another. they get gunk in the pressure port and stop working.
rgds
Mike
do you have 12v leading to the switch then less volts after the switch. if so you have either dirty contacts or a defective switch. just about every vehicle i have owned with these brake switches have failed at one time or another. they get gunk in the pressure port and stop working.
rgds
Mike
