Brake Lights

Unknown

On my 53 Hornet the brake lights quit working, but the rear turn signal lights still work. Is there a fuse specifically for the brake lights, or is something else going on. If there is a fuse, where is it? Where is the brake light switch? Any help will be appreciated.



Jim G.

[Deleted User]

It sounds like the stop lite switch. It should be on the fitting on the back end of the master cylinder. Norm

[Deleted User]

Jim the following diagram will show you where the brake and Signal lights are wired. As Norm noted in his post the red wire in the diagram goes to the stop light switch which is below the floor board attached to the back end of the master cylinder. While the failure of the switch is entirely possible, other reasons for the lights being out include:

- The wires at the switch are not properly attached to the swich or have come loose.

- The cylinder is leaking and it has caused the contact for the wiring to become disconnected due to the amount of fluid on the switch contact and the wiring connector.:(

Good Luck in correcting your problem.:)

Jon B

Jim, I don't have the "modern" type brake switch that the Step-Downs have (connected to the master cylinder), but couldn't you do a quick test by connecting the wires that go in and out of the switch? That would simulate the action of putting your foot on the brake and if the stoplights both come on at that point, it's a probable sign that the switch itself is bad.



If it doesn't help, then the problem must lie further up the line, possibly at the turn signal switch. I believe that the brake and turn signals share the same taillight bulb on each side of your car, so the brake circuit is routed through the turnsignal switch.

Unknown

IN trying to diagnose the problem, is it correct to assume that the brake lights should work even when the ignition switch is off?



Jim G

kamzack

Turns will work when brakes don't, seperate circut. As mentioned connect the 2 wires on the switch.

onerare39

Jim G wrote:

IN trying to diagnose the problem, is it correct to assume that the brake lights should work even when the ignition switch is off?



Jim G

That is correct!

Unknown

Thank you Ken Cates --



The problem was that the red wire became un-pluged.



By the way; does that wire go to ground or to battery?



Jim G.

[Deleted User]

Jim G wrote:

Thank you Ken Cates --

The problem was that the red wire became un-pluged.

By the way; does that wire go to ground or to battery?

Jim G.

You are welcome Jim...

The red wire is routing battery power via the signal switch to the brake lamps. The lamp base provides a ground that completes the circuit and allows the bulb to light. The red line goes through the brake switch (this is a pressure activated shorting switch) and provides the power to the brake lamps each time the brake pedal is activated.

Cheers.

DirtyDave

May sound funny but remember I bought my car disassembled. Where is the brake light switch on a 39? On the Master Cylinder? Mechanical or pressure activated? The wiring I can do.

Thanks in advance.

Jon B

It's mechanical -- a slide swtich -- and I believe it's mounting to the frame in the vicinity of the master cylinder. I recall that the pedal linkage engages it.  (Sorry, it's been awhile since I last fooled with it.)

RichardD

It is a lever switch that is below the brake arm ; you can see it if you look under the hood behind the steering column. I bought a new one from Summit # RFW-SW62 for $19.55. You definitely don't this not to work correctly.

 

DirtyDave

THANKS! I love advice that includes a part # !!

I have no switch at all on this project build so I couldnt picture it.

RichardD

photo of switch on '53. { must say that I believe this original: one like this was on car when I got it and the new Y to Z wiring harness there fit to the switch. } If it is not original then someone say so.

Jon B

I could be wrong, but I think that all Hudsons from 1948 forward, used a hydraulic switch, such a Doug Wildrick advertises on his Hudson parts website:   http://www.wrphet.com/pn59.html

I believe it screwed into a fitting in the brake lines, somewhere near the master cylinder (or maybe right into the cylinder itself). 

The mechanical brake lights were frame-mounted, and were used in 1947 and earlier Hudsons, I think.  (I only own a '37 so don't know about the newfangled Hudsons.)

If you can make the lever-action switch work, that's great.  Easy to get replacement parts.  Also, some people who use silicone as brake fluid, have reported that the hydraulic style switches leak, and the silicone gets into the switches.  So, replacing the hydraulic brakelight switch with the lever-action switch, would solve that problem.

Geoff

The '38 H8 I just re-commissioned had a slide switch mounted  on the  bell housing,  with a link that was pushed forward by the  brake  linkage to switch it off.   Immediately the brake pedal was depressed an internal spring moved the contact slide  to  activate the brake light.  .   My '53 Hornet has a hydraulic switch mounted on the chassis in front of the master cylinder, and my Jet has a switch mounted on the rear of the Master cylinder.  

DirtyDave

That is the one I am targeting.

How about a picture on a car guys?

greedy?

Park_W

Richard, that switch looks like one for backup lights.

DirtyDave

definitely called a brake light switch on several sites but could also activate a backup circuit if near a shift linkage.

RichardD

The Brake light switch in its location on my '53 Hornet. Speedometer cable on right; the hose that is fastened to the switch is the line going to the remote brake fluid reservoir on the firewall to the master cylinder.

Glowplug

Nice switch installation for a stepdown and it eliminates the failure of the pressure switch with the silicon fluids.

DirtyDave

Great picture, THANKS. Now I can see how the lever interacts with the pedal. Without the swirch in my hand I couldnt "see" that.

RichardD

Also have splice wire (with applicable diodes) in the brake '+' wire that goes to the front parking lights allowing the front parking lights to be daytime running lights. That is the shrink wrap shown in photo.
Safety PAYS. How much do you like yourself & family?