After recently pulling, refurbishing, and installing the dash cluster on my '66 convertible I noticed that I had the dreaded "part left over". The part is a .47 MFD capacitor mounted to the side of the steering column support bracket. It has two flat copper leads bent in a U shape. From looking in the Assembly Instruction Manual it looks like it's for the brake light switch, but not apparent how it connects in. I don't notice in adverse effects of not having this in the circuit, radio (AM/FM) interference, etc. Any help is appreciated.
-
-
Re: '66 Unknown Capacitor
Hi Jeff!
What you describe indeed sounds like the brake light switch capacitor. In detail (I have an old one here I am inspecting): cylindrical about 2in long & 1/2in diameter with a lead originating from either end; connectors bent in a "u" shape. These attached (on my 67) via a circumferential metal strap and hex-head screw to the inner aspect of the brake pedal support; end connectors pushed into brake light connector.
You will not notice a difference in performance of various electrical accessories with this removed. However, to my knowledge this capacitor is not being reproduced; a few years back I was quoted $25 for a servicable example.
Hope this helps!
Carl -
Re: '66 Unknown Capacitor
Hi Jeff!
What you describe indeed sounds like the brake light switch capacitor. In detail (I have an old one here I am inspecting): cylindrical about 2in long & 1/2in diameter with a lead originating from either end; connectors bent in a "u" shape. These attached (on my 67) via a circumferential metal strap and hex-head screw to the inner aspect of the brake pedal support; end connectors pushed into brake light connector.
You will not notice a difference in performance of various electrical accessories with this removed. However, to my knowledge this capacitor is not being reproduced; a few years back I was quoted $25 for a servicable example.
Hope this helps!
CarlComment
-
Re: '66 Unknown Capacitor
Carl----
I'm surprised that removal of the capacitor affected other electrical systems on your car. I believe that the capacitor was installed for radio electrical interferrence suppression purposes.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
-
Re: '66 Unknown Capacitor
Carl----
I'm surprised that removal of the capacitor affected other electrical systems on your car. I believe that the capacitor was installed for radio electrical interferrence suppression purposes.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
-
Re: '66 Unknown Capacitor
Cap on brake light switch is there as part of U69 (radio) option. Purpose is keep 'snap, click' sound associated with tail light surge turn-on transients from being heard in radio. Many of the 'hush up' capacitors introduced with radio option have subtle effects that may not be missed depending on whether radio is in AM or FM mode (AM is more sensitive to radiated and conducted transient disturbances), the state of battery charge, the reactance of the voltage regulator, and the internals of your specific radio.Comment
-
Re: '66 Unknown Capacitor
Cap on brake light switch is there as part of U69 (radio) option. Purpose is keep 'snap, click' sound associated with tail light surge turn-on transients from being heard in radio. Many of the 'hush up' capacitors introduced with radio option have subtle effects that may not be missed depending on whether radio is in AM or FM mode (AM is more sensitive to radiated and conducted transient disturbances), the state of battery charge, the reactance of the voltage regulator, and the internals of your specific radio.Comment
Comment