Hydraulic Brake Light Switch Failure - Again

Hey guys, my hydraulic brake light switch quit working again on the ‘46 2A, it was replaced a little over a year ago, not very many miles too.

I dissected the switch and here’s what I found, no surprises.








I replaced it with another switch, brand Standard T-Series SLS27T, product of Mexico, but I have no faith this one will last either. The previous switch came from a highly respected supplier which is known to have better than average quality products; I think this switch type is a poorly engineered system design due to arcing and carbonization of the contacts especially with the early cj single master cylinder and small brake shoes where you have tendency to be a little extra careful with speed.

Anyone else have a solution that’s worked for you?

My grandson rides a Chinese ATV Quad 110cc Taotao piece of plastic which has a pretty simple electrical switch for foot brake, I would image some motorcycles and snowmobiles have something similar that would work. The plan is to fab a simple bracket above brake lever return spring with a parallel circuit to new electrical switch as a long-term solution.

Here’s a good read on hydraulic brake switch failure investigation

Thanks for any ideas on long-term solution.
Mark

 

I've been converting my jeeps over to a mechanical brake light switch after those stupid things fail. I'll have to get a picture of what I did, but it is really easy. I use a 1955-59 Chevy truck brake light switch and bolt it to the master cylinder cover. Then space it accordingly so the arm hits the brake pedal arm. Just need some extender wires and boom, done in two minutes.

1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 CHEVY TRUCK BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH NEW ** USA MADE ** | eBay

 

Did the above with mine after the same problem. All good now

 

I had several of these pressure switches fail. I made sure when I put in swinging pedals, they had provision for the brake light switch. Zero problems since. The Chevy one Nate has used looks to be the answer for stock type pedals.

Its cool that you cut that switch in half for us to look at.

 

Brake Light Switch

 

Thanks, that’s the switch I’m going go with, the Chevy truck mechanical one. I had seen that solution before on one of the Jeep forums, forgot about it.
Thanks again
Mark

 

holy carp my son in law has a whole bunch of these nos from a chevy dealer ….never thought about what they fit.

 

T series is Standard's "economy" line. Not a good choice IMO. $6 for their quality offering: STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS SLS27 Brake Light Switch | RockAuto

Usually the T series part has a gray box, and the regular Standard is red.

I'd also name and shame your "quality" supplier without any reservations.

 

If it was me, I'd get a NOS military part, and hope it was better quality.

Willys MB Ford M38 M151 Dodge WC Brake Light Switch for breaks signal | eBay

 

I guess I have lived a very sheltered life for the last 74 years.I have not encountered the failure rate of the little hydraulic brake light switch that has been around since the beginning of hydraulic brake systems. Don't get me wrong ,I have replaced several over the years that failed after many years of service.Just wondering if it truly is the quality issue or a change in brake fluid itself. No problems here with any of my classic vehicles so I guess that's a good thing. Such a simple switch ,seems like a lot of trouble to convert to mechanical switch. mike

 

For a while, I replaced one every year on my '53 3A that barely gets used. After the 3rd one went, that when I converted.

 

This took me about five minutes to put in my jeep.

And for what its worth, this switch is off my parts 55 chevy truck. If you can take an original switch out of the junkyard and it still works, its a better design.

 

SW-32 LOW PRESSURE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SWITCH-Ron Francis Wiring

 

Well, no brake lights again. I change these switches more often than I change my oil. I have tried the low pressure one referenced above, Ive tried ones from Painless wiring, AC Delco, & Standard. I give up. I'm going to convert to a mechanical switch like Nate did.

 

You can get the mechanical switch for cheap from Speedway.

Speedway Universal Mechanical Brake Pedal Light Switch

 

Depending on your bracketry etc. a switch for a '76 CJ may be a better choice. More Information for WVE/AIRTEX/WELLS 1S5238 Cheaper too, $2.31 list at RockAuto.

 

I think garage gnome's option is the better option as appose to '76 CJ switch. Simpler installation. JMO

 

Interesting thought. My Harley switch lasted 25-plus years, and uses DOT#5.

 

Thanks for the link--I wasn't quite sure how these worked or exactly which parts moved and why.
Good read ...and that animated GIF is amazing.

 

Maybe that explains why my motorcycle switch lasted - I never use the brakes gently on the Harley.