Brake Lights Work Only With Heavy Pedal Pressure

[Randy Harris]

Something new for me. My brake lights only come on when I press very hard on the brake pedal.
Likely cause? Best fix?
Thanks guys.
Randy
'66 BJ8

 

[Randy Forbes]

Brakelight switch; it uses hydraulic pressure to close the contacts, so that'd be what I'd go after first.

 

[shorn]

Randy,
I replaced my original brake light switch a few years ago with a switch from Moss #54033360. The new switch is made by Intermotor (their #51630). It failed after two seasons. Replaced it last October with the same type switch. It leaked. Replaced it again.
I guess what I am saying here, is that the switch is most likely your problem. If you order a new one, you might just save some postage and order two.

 

[AUSMHLY]

Sorry to hear Randy has that problem. It's because he hangs out with me.

Some nice guy at a stop light told me my break light does not come on. I pushed harder and then he said it did.

I ordered a new break light switch, installed and thought that fixed it. Read, thought that fixed it.

How does Randy know he has this problem. I was driving behind him and told him so. How do I know I still have the problem, he drove behind me and said you too.

Being positive about Healeys...Oh boy, I get to work on it again. Cheers, Roger

 

[shorn]

When installing a new brake light switch, I have tried to put a little brake fluid in the opening of the switch before screwing it into its holder in order to deminish the chance of air being trapped inside the switch. My thinking is that even a little air trapped inside the switch would require more pressure to activate the switch, and that air may not ever work its way out of the switch. Don't know if that makes sense, just the way I've done it.

 

[Bob McElwee]

I use to have the same problem with my '62 BT7. Some folks think silicone brake fluid is part of the problem. For awhile, I could get dirt cheap VW switches from JC Whitney that workked but they must have wised up and upped the price.

I finally installed a MG brake pedal actuated switch maybe 2 or 3 years ago. No problems since.

 

[Ed_K]

Re: Brake Lights Work Only With Heavy Pedal Pressu

I had the same problem. I skipped trying another original switch and bought and installed one of these:
https://www.watsons-streetworks.com/get_off_juice.html
The hard part was making and installing a custom metal bracket above the brake pedal to hold the switch. I ran the wires out the same hole as the dimmer switch wires and then connected to the connectors going to the old brake switch. That way it is easy to unplug the new switch and plug back in the old or a replacement old type switch. This switch has been working flawlessly since I installed it so I won't be going back to the old style.

 

[John Loftus]

Re: Brake Lights Work Only With Heavy Pedal Pressu

There are some pictures/info showing an installation of the Watson's-Streetworks switch in a BJ8 by Dave Carpenter:

brake switch

 

[Randy Harris]

Re: Brake Lights Work Only With Heavy Pedal Pressu

Fantastic solution to my problem guys. I'm going to replace the hydraulic switch with the mechanical Watson's-Steetworks unit. This is a nice and simple, straight forward solution. I love it.

Randy
'66 BJ8

 

[Keoke]

Re: Brake Lights Work Only With Heavy Pedal Pressu

We have found that some of these switches require priming before installation it seems they trap air. Seems like a simpler fix to me---Keoke


P.S. I wouldn't put an "Intermotor " nothing in my Healey. Asolute junk!

 

[shorn]

Re: Brake Lights Work Only With Heavy Pedal Pressu

Keoke,
What other brake light switch is available?

 

[Keoke]

Re: Brake Lights Work Only With Heavy Pedal Pressu

Try, VW or Standard Automotive Parts. Standard has some good points too.---Keoke

 

[Lin]

Re: Brake Lights Work Only With Heavy Pedal Pressu

So, who sells the switches that are not Intermotor?
Lin
1960 BT7 in restoration
1959 Bugeye