The parking brake warning light switch on my 61 was removed from the brake assy and just sort of floating around under the dash. I have the cluster removed and would like to get it operational before I reinstall the cluster. The AIM is very vauge about how this switch attaches to the brake assy, and whoever removed it may have bent or discarded some parts. If anyone could provide a little help or even better a good picture of how it is supposed to be installed, I would be grateful. Also, I am assuming that the switch is a NC switch and contact is broken when the brake is in the off position. At least that is how it seems to operate. Someone had the tab bent up to keep the switch open. Anyhow, HELP!!
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Re: C1 Parking brake warning light
Ed- When I did my 62, my switch was intact but "frozen" in the off position. Some tender persuasion with WD-40 and electrical corrosion cleaner got the switch plunger freed up and working. The switch is contained within a bracket that when installed around the parking brake shaft tube, resembles a keyhole, with the wire coming out the top. This bracket has a locking "tongue" on the side where its two pieces join. A screw/nut assy at the top locks the pieces together to form the bracket. At the bottom of the switch itself, is a brass leaf type "spring" that is on an angle to the axis of the brake handle shaft. There is a "nub" on the top side of the handle shaft. When the brake is released, the shaft moves forward, pushing the spring upward, ergo the switch plunger, thus breaking the contact turning off the warning light. In reverse, the switch plunger drops re-establishing the electrical contact. By loosening the top screw, you can slide the assy fore and aft on the shaft tube to adjust when contact is made/broken. I'm not real good at verbal descriptions, but email me if you have more questions. Hope all you parts are there- this is a pricey item, if it can found. Sorry I don't have a picture. Good Luck....Dick -
Re: C1 Parking brake warning light
Dick -- would this electrical corrosion cleaner you refer to be suitable for (light) greenish copper corrosion in the firewall (outside) connectors for the ignition and headlight harnesses of my '65 ? If so, could you post a product name and where you got it ? ThanksComment
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Re: C1 Parking brake warning light
Hi Wayne- The stuff I used was Quick Dry Electronic Cleaner, from Car Quest. But any electronics store, i.e. Radio Shack carries similar stuff. Sometimes it might be refered to as Electronic Tuner Cleaner, from pre solid state days. This stuff sometimes helps on enclosed switches, like the brake warning light switch. If you can access the innards of a switch, or a connector type plug, clean off any evidence of corrosion with fine grit paper, and follow up with a light coating of dielectric grease. This stuff is available at any auto parts store, but beware-it is pricy. Pool the expense with some friends. This may be overkill, but isn't that the nature of us all? One more thing, my friend and I have had good luck finding the "257" bulbs at NAPA, considerably cheaper than swap meet prices. Ours have work OK so far. Take Care....... DickComment
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