Brake Light Switch

[cab83_750]

I have rebuilt calipers, blue fluid, and my stopping power is in my opinion awesome. A little bit of pressure and the car stops like a charm.

So, why do I go thru brake light switch at least once a year? Looks like today, I need to press the pedal a little bit more to trigger the lights.

Do I need to switch to regular brake fluid so that I will require more pressure to stop the car thereby pushing the internal mechanism a little bit more?

For those of you who also require more pressure to trigger the brake lights, what fluid do you guys use?

Thanks.

[rnln]

I don't think the fluid is the problem. Our car has a famous problem of pressurize brake switch, just replace them. Many people switch to mechanical switch.

[911pcars]

What can I say? It's not the brake fluid. It's the design and the available switches that only operate the brake lights at a higher-then-desired threshold.

If you want full adjustability, source some pressure switches that contact at a lower pressure level or find some adjustable pressure switches (industrial-rated pressure switches are ~$50 ea.). An alternative is to adapt a mechanical switch actuated from the brake pedal. Others have done this.

Sherwood

[cab83_750]

Originally posted by 911pcars
... or find some adjustable pressure switches (industrial-rated pressure switches are ~$50 ea.). An alternative is to adapt a mechanical switch actuated from the brake pedal. Others have done this.

Sherwood

Sherwood,

Do you know where to get the 'industrial-rate switches'? As for alternatives, this is actually in the works. I have seen the threads regarding brake pedal actuated alternatives, but mine would be something else. I will be playing around the area where you adjust the clutch cable; there seem to be a 'level/switch' in that area that I may be able to use. I probably would be inventing a 'mechanical switch' around that area as SOON AS MY SHOULD GETS BETTER.

I have been a '1-arm bandit' lately.

[911pcars]

"Do you know where to get the 'industrial-rate switches'?"

An industrial component supplier like Grainger or McMaster/Carr has them, but do you really want switches that cost that much?

Here's a mechanical switch from an early 911. Fully adjustable. I shouldn't talk. I believe new ones are also pricey, but that's from PAG.



The later cars with cruise control will probably need something in that circuit to shut down the system when braking.

Sherwood

[cab83_750]

Very, very interesting.

I believe, that switch in the picture is actually the one I was talking about. It is located to the rear of the clutch adjustment cable. When I was adjusting my cable, I saw that switch but could not figure out what triggers it. My car is an '83SC.

I was thinking about fabbing something to 'reach' and activate that switch.