Flunked Inspection- No brake lights on 79 B

[samcar16]

I thought I had it all together. Got the car out of the shop, got a new muffler setup and cleaned her up a bit. I've never had a prob with brake lights before but they're gone now. All of the other lights- blinkers, reverse, hazard, tailights are ok, just no brake lights. I've checked the fuses and cleaned up the connections but can't seem to find the stoplight switch. Am I on the right track? Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[Steve]

The switch should be at the back of the brake pedal. That would be the most likely culprit here anyway, but especially now that everything else seems to check out okay. Good luck!

 

[usasma]

The switch is on the forward side of the brake pedal box underneath the hood. It's a little brass thingie screwed into the box area and has 2 wires protruding from it (I think they're green and white). When you pull it out (be careful because it affects the brakes) there'll be a little piece that sticks out from the center of the switch - if that's stuck or rattling around it'll cause the brake lights to go out. A good one has the piece held in place with spring pressure.

When reinstalling it, tighten it until you get 1/8" of free play on your brake pedal (I tightened mine too much and the car wouldn't move - it locks the brakes down better than the emergency brake!).

 

[Guest]

A couple of weeks ago mine quit and I was able to pull the back of the switch off and clean and lubricate the contacts. I had replaced it recently and decided to try that before spending another $36 to peplace it again.
Bob

 

[samcar16]

Thanks guys. I went to the All British Car Show in Houston today. Sure were some nice cars there. I also found a place in Houston that may carry the switch in stock. I'm gonna check with them Monday a.m. I really enjoyed the Minis and with all the problems I'm having with my B right now, it wouldn't take much for me to convert.
Anyway. I am so thankful for all the advice you all have to offer. I'll snoop around under the hood some more tomorrow.
Many thanks,
Barb

 

[79MGB16]

My car was in the show. If you are in the houston area you may want to join the Houston MG car club(that was our show). Their website is www.houstonmgcarclub.org

 

[JTB]

Try shorting the wires that connect to the brake light switch to each other with the car running and see if that lights up your brake lights. If so ....then it is the switch. Occasionally they need adjustment. You control how far into the pedal box it goes with a nut on the shaft of the switch as it screws into the box. Possible it simply needs adjusting. As the shaft the brake pedal rotates on wears you can get slop there. Also...when you pull the switch out connect the wires back to it , crank up the car and operate the plunger on the end to see if your brake lights will light up.