47-55.1 Dumb question of the day.. brake light switch

[Marty68]

I do not have brake lights. Power to switch. Switch closes when rod moves down How is this rod supposed to be connected. Rod on switch has a hole like for a return spring But I see / feel no such hole. My meter says switch does close
when the lever drops. Leaver under would leave lights on all the time. Is there any pictures of how it is supposed to be.

[mongocanfly]

Does your switch look like this?
Does the lever arm just contact the brake pedal arm? And move when you push brake pedal to make contact

[mongocanfly]

This is in the assembly manual..it shows the switch,and the pedal assembly...but not how it goes together...

[Marty68]

anything is possible on a 68 year old truck. would the hole in my "brake light switch rod" be not original.. ("it isnt centered") is it possible it is originally internally spring loaded to hold it against brake pedal arm. ?

[Marty68]

Better pic. Like above Greg but it has a hole for ?spring?

[Marty68]

Better pic?

[mongocanfly]

Nuther view...

[mongocanfly]

Yep...better...it looks like the arm moves forward when you press pedal...not sure why it's got a hole in it...these switches were used on many many vehicles...that switch could have originally been for a different application....the switch I have came from my IH
When you mash the brakes do you have continuity?...it should read open as it is in your pic..and closed when you press pedal..it may just need adjusting if it doesnt...

[Marty68]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Yep...better...it looks like the arm moves forward when you press pedal...not sure why it's got a hole in it...these switches were used on many many vehicles...that switch could have originally been for a different application....the switch I have came from my IH
When you mash the brakes do you have continuity?...it should read open as it is in your pic..and closed when you press pedal..it may just need adjusting if it doesnt...

yes i get continuity but it does not follow pedal. and it feels loose. i need to source one. they are available just need to find where to get it
replacing it may be a treat.

[Marty68]

your fist picture indicates my switch likely is NFG. i believe it has an internal spring the brake lever holds the switch open. when the brake pedal moves the internal spring holds the switch lever against pedal arm. i am ordering a switch. but from who?

[Marty68]

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-U858-...VXDT4T2ZRNFSE9

i will post when it gets here.

[mongocanfly]

Yep ,,you beat me to it...I was gonna say they are still available..I took mine apart and fixed it..the spring and the contact pad had jumped out of the holder...

[mr48chev]

You can get that switch at the local O''reilly's or other regular parts house with no need to pay shipping or buy from a specialty house. https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...et/truck?pos=1

[Marty68]

ordered and already shipped from Amazon just over $10... I do try to shop local as much as possible.

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by Marty68

ordered and already shipped from Amazon just over $10... I do try to shop local as much as possible.

I wonder what I am going to find for parts when I move to Idaho next month. I know I will miss the parts store that is on my way home from work. Guys, I was a paint rep for NAPA so I have been in MANY stores (had 77 in my territory) and most have a half million$ or less in inventory. This store down the street from me has $4.5million! I am not kidding, I walk in and can get a brake light switch for a 2018 Toyota or a 1959 Rambler, IN STOCK, no kidding!

Man am I going to miss them!

I put a mechanical switch like that in my Rambler and adjusted it so about a quarter an inch of pedal play would light my brake lights. Just taping on the pedal would flash the lights, I have found it is VERY useful to keep people off your butt.

Brian

[mr48chev]

I don't think you will have an issue in Boise. You may have to go across town to a certain store but that is about anywhere now. Boise is the hub for SW Idaho and eastern Oregon parts and supply wise in general.

The parts house I do a lot of business with in Union Gap wa does't always have the best price unless one of my old students waits on me but if they don't have it on the shelf they will send a runner to the warehouse about three miles away and that place stocks parts for about 30 parts houses.

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I don't think you will have an issue in Boise. You may have to go across town to a certain store but that is about anywhere now. Boise is the hub for SW Idaho and eastern Oregon parts and supply wise in general.

The parts house I do a lot of business with in Union Gap wa does't always have the best price unless one of my old students waits on me but if they don't have it on the shelf they will send a runner to the warehouse about three miles away and that place stocks parts for about 30 parts houses.

Sounds good, hope so.

Brian

[1project2many]

Many chain type parts stores today rely on computerized inventory management. Initially parts are stocked based on registration data obtained from RL Polk or similar company then management software monitors catalog lookups and sales to make adjustments. This is why the store that always had your favorite widget in stock suddenly stopped sellling them. Turns out you were the only buyer of said widget and the shelf space would generate more revenue if it held an LED lighted fake chrome thingamabob. It's also why a fleet such as ours can have a hard time with retail stores. We have twice a year inspections when we buy parts like crazy, then demand drops when inspections end. Computer inventory system sends parts back if no sale in three months.

[hogfarm]

Like mr48chev said,I went to local O'Reilly's and switch was in stock

[jwhotrod]

that switch is also available at speedway motors. its popular with streetrodders.