Brake Light Switch?

[Rob]

I have a 1980 Corvette. The brake lights recently stopped working. When I had my state inspection done this past spring, they told me they had repaired a poor connection at the brake light switch. It looks like the problem is acting up again though.

The problem is, I don't know where to find the brake light switch or what it looks like. Can anyone help me with this?

[Mike M.]

Re: Brake Light Switch?

its located just to the rear of where the brake pedal pivots in the brake(and clutch if so equipped) frame. you'll have to look up under dash in the vicinity of the tack/speedometer's back sides. goodluck, mike

[Rob]

Re: Brake Light Switch?

My Corvette is automatic so there is no clutch.

I know that there is a circuit board of sorts right near the hood release under the dash. It has a lot of labels on it for various electrical components. Is the brake switch on this board or is it more to the right, near the brake pedal? Am I looking for a wire that plugs into a board or is it a seperate connection box of some sort? There are a few different connectors under the dash besides the main board and I'm really not sure which one I'm looking for.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Brake Light Switch?

Hi Rob,

You should still have a plunger type switch with two wires attached to it mounted adjacent to the brake pedal arm up under the dash as Mike stated.

While laying on the floor, press the brake pedal with your hand and watch the movement of the arm up to the pivit so you can take in what's immediately around it. You should be able to locate the plunger switch.

Of course I'm assuming that your new fangled 1980 still uses this type of old school technology that my 68 has

Chuck

[Bill E.]

Re: Brake Light Switch?

Rob: I recently replace the brake light switch on my '74 and it only took a few minutes once I got my 65 year old body up under the dash. Try Corvette America for the part and note that different switches are used on cars with and without cruise control. Bill

[Joe L.]

Re: Brake Light Switch?

Scott----

The switch is located under the dash as others have described. At least, it is for cars without cruise control. I'm not sure about cars with cruise control. In any event, for the underdash switch you will find a bracket attached to the brake pedal lever arm. That bracket will interface with the plunger of the switch. Just follow the arm up to the bracket and opposite it will be the switch. I'd replace the switch at this point and also make sure that the wiring connector contacts are tight and clean. Here are the parts you need:

WITH cruise control-----GM #25524845

WITHOUT cruise control---GM #25524848

Either of these switches GM list for about 12-15 bucks, so they're not expensive. These will likely be configured a bit differently than the original switch, but they'll function perfectly.

[Jim T.]

Re: Brake Light Switch?

Something else to try Rob since you do not know what the brake switch looks like. Go to Auto Zone and ask for the part and look at it, also they should be able to pull up a parts screen and give you an parts picture to examine. You can also do this at any GM parts counter if they have the parts in stock, however their parts boxes could be sealed.