No Brake Lights, 78SC Two Newbie Q's...

[acapella8]

I have a '78SC and -- I have no brake lights.

But I do have hazard lights when activated via panel switch.

Q1: Do the brake lights and the hazard lights share the same system/bulb?

Following Haynes and the factory service manuals....I removed the carpet, retaining nut and floorboard down to the stop light switch. (detach tab connector, adjust if necessary said the manual)

All back together - but still no luck -- I have no brake lights.

Q2: Is there a fuse/relay that could be at fault as I haven't read that far yet....

Thanks for the help!

Tom
Be kind, this is just my 2nd day as a Porsche owner...

[pa911]

Brake light switches located on master cylinder on a 78 I believe,should be two of them there.

[acapella8]

Would it help if I supplied chasis and engine number??

[acapella8]

Bump. I can't seem to locate either chasis or engine number.

What would be the best for me to check? I've done a search, and am not coming up with anything concrete.

-Tom

[Kmatts]

Tom, pa911 is right, check your switches on the master cyclinder.
(should be in your front trunk on the upper right side).
i lost my reverse lights...and the switch was the culprit.
hope this helps.
Kyle.

[acapella8]

I think I found them. Wow, those are not easy to get to.

Yikes. Looks like my night was just killed?

[Rick V]

when one of those switches failed on my 82 I still had brake lights but it tripped the warning light in the dash next to the radio.

[acapella8]

Agreed - my warning light dash was tripped as well, but no brake lights at all.

Can anyone confirm that the Brakelights and Hazard lights share the same cirtuit??

Meaning, knowing that my bulbs are okay because the hazards work properly.

Tom
So ends my third day as a Porsche owner -- Bears game is on.

[acapella8]

Those 2 stop light switches on the master cylinder -- are those repairable by the average user?

Let me qualify -- I have low to medium skillset, and am brand new to the Porsche world.

[pa911]

Pelican part#113-945-515G ......$8.10 apiece replace both

[acapella8]

Thanks for the part#, I will likely order them.

Do I just have too fat of a pair of hands to hope to get to them?

[scottb]

Originally posted by acapella8
Do I just have too fat of a pair of hands to hope to get to them?

Go slow. Remove some of the plumbing around the master cylinder. It's not a difficult job, but it takes a little time. The rear switch is the more difficult of the two, but neither one is REALLY difficult. When you tighten them up get them good and snug, but you don't have to really lean on the wrench. The first time you do it, it's a "two beer" job. Every time after that, it's one beer (or two if you want to sit back and admire your work when you're done!).

[acapella8]

Thanks for the advice.

To clarify - 1) there is a switch under the brake pedal.
2) There are 2 switches on the master cylinder.

Which switch is responsible for illuminating the brake lights?

Tom
Ps: The car stops on a dime 100% all the time.

[scottb]

I think on your year (and newer) they didn't put the switch under the pedal, and the two switches on the MC are the ones that control the brake lights.

[acapella8]

Boy you're right. I was reading a haynes manual that had a generic picture with the switch under the pedal. I had the floor boards off but could not really see it. I only saw a "plunger" or push-rod type of switch.

I can definietley see the 2 on the MC.

I'm hoping to get to them without having to bleed the system and remove any plumbing.

-Tom

[scottb]

You probably won't have to bleed the system, but you probably will have to remove some plumbing.

[acapella8]

Thanks -- Do you happen to know if there's any good webarticles that might show the best areas of plumbing to remove?

I have to admit, the brakes scare me a bit.

[scottb]

Tom: The plumbing I'm referring to is related to the ventilation system. IIRC, you don't have to remove the brake lines going into the MC.

[acapella8]

Scott, wow, I got it now. Thanks for clarifying.

It's my 3rd day, still a little overwhelmed by the looks and the sound of the machine.

[scottb]

Relax. Have fun!