brake pedal switch connector

[Richard E.]

I am looking for a supplier of a replacement plug (2 prong electrical connector) that connects to the back of the brake pedal switch on a 66 Corvette. I would like to purchase the plug with pigtail wire leads and terminals installed if possible. Thank you for the help.

[Joe L.]

Re: brake pedal switch connector

I am looking for a supplier of a replacement plug (2 prong electrical connector) that connects to the back of the brake pedal switch on a 66 Corvette. I would like to purchase the plug with pigtail wire leads and terminals installed if possible. Thank you for the help.

Richard----


This is a very common connector. It was used for many years on Corvettes and most other GM cars, too. Unfortunately, I don't have a part number for it. However, I think you could find a replacement switch at a good auto parts store if you take the old switch and connector with you to match up. This will be a FUNCTIONAL replacement and not necessarily identical to the original.

If you want an original style connector, you might try Lectric Limited.

[Stephen L.]

Re: brake pedal switch connector

Take a tour of your area old junkyard. These connectors are in nearly every vintage GM product. Wiring colors will be orange and white.

You may find some other "treasures" that you can't do without....

[Wayne M.]

Re: brake pedal switch connector

I am looking for a supplier of a replacement plug (2 prong electrical connector) that connects to the back of the brake pedal switch on a 66 Corvette. I would like to purchase the plug with pigtail wire leads and terminals installed if possible. Thank you for the help.

Richard -- no special double connector here; just two plain old separate female spade connectors for each wire -- probably still available from GM.

This is from a late '65, and I'm sure '66 was no different. Notice the black w/orange stripe (12v, in) and the black w/white stripe (12v, out). In '66 or '67 the wires may have changed to solid colors; orange and white.

Some interior judges may look for the Delco Remy script in the middle of the bakelite end. This is a radio car, but I show the connections without the two leads of the capacitor (also) connected to the switch terminals, for simplicity.

[Joe L.]

Re: brake pedal switch connector

Richard -- no special double connector here; just two plain old separate female spade connectors for each wire -- probably still available from GM.

This is from a late '65, and I'm sure '66 was no different. Notice the black w/orange stripe (12v, in) and the black w/white stripe (12v, out). In '66 or '67 the wires may have changed to solid colors; orange and white.

Some interior judges may look for the Delco Remy script in the middle of the bakelite end. This is a radio car, but I show the connections without the two leads of the capacitor (also) connected to the switch terminals, for simplicity.

Wayne-----


Yes, from further checking it appears that 65-67 did use the 2 separate connectors. I thought that the single 2 terminal connector came into use earlier than it actually did. Apparently, the change was made at the same time the switch was changed from metal to plastic. This was for the 1969 model year (1968 used a special, unique-to-1968, lever-style switch). The plastic switch has a special boss to retain the "tang" on the 2 terminal connector.

I believe the single connector is GM #2965478 which uses a blade style, female terminal currently GM #12124515. However, this has to be assembled and can be frustrating. Also, the connector may be white as opposed to the original brown. Delco and other suppliers sell an assembled, pig-tail style version of the connector which can be spliced into the wiring. This is easier to install. I don't have the part number handy, though.

A photo of the 2 terminal connector configuration is shown below. I would recommend using this type connector if a pre-68 Corvette is converted to the plastic switch, which I believe is the only style available in SERVICE from GM. I still don't know what the part number is for this connector, though, although I expect that it's available.

[Richard E.]

Re: brake pedal switch connector

Gentlemen,
Thank you very much for the suggestions and assistance.
I must add that I am having trouble with button stlye plastic replacement switches. (The problem I have is the brake lights do not always illuminate when the pedal is depressed.) I have replaced three now (over a period of some time) as they seem very unreliable (intermittent operation) which I consider a dangerous situation. I have been careful with the adjustment so that should not be an issue. I have also checked the lead wires and verified good electrical continuity at the terminals. In all instances, if one of the metal tabs on the switch are wiggled the lights will illuminate with the pedal depressed. I have not been using the supression capacitor and I wonder if the switch contacts may be failing as a result. Is this capacitor required to minimize arcing of the switch contacts?

I find myself constantly checking the amp meter to see the needle "twich" when I apply the brakes to make sure the brake lights are working.

If anyone has experienced this problem I would be interested in their solution.

Is there possibly a source for the metal switch, it may be better quality? Thanks again everyone.

[Joe L.]

Re: brake pedal switch connector

Gentlemen,
Thank you very much for the suggestions and assistance.
I must add that I am having trouble with button stlye plastic replacement switches. (The problem I have is the brake lights do not always illuminate when the pedal is depressed.) I have replaced three now (over a period of some time) as they seem very unreliable (intermittent operation) which I consider a dangerous situation. I have been careful with the adjustment so that should not be an issue. I have also checked the lead wires and verified good electrical continuity at the terminals. In all instances, if one of the metal tabs on the switch are wiggled the lights will illuminate with the pedal depressed. I have not been using the supression capacitor and I wonder if the switch contacts may be failing as a result. Is this capacitor required to minimize arcing of the switch contacts?

I find myself constantly checking the amp meter to see the needle "twich" when I apply the brakes to make sure the brake lights are working.

If anyone has experienced this problem I would be interested in their solution.

Is there possibly a source for the metal switch, it may be better quality? Thanks again everyone.

Richard-----


The capacitor is there only for radio interference suppression; it has no other function. Theoretically, if a car was ordered without radio, the capacitor would not even be there (although some were, apparently, installed anyway).

Are you using a Delco D889 switch, aka GM #1261219, OR a Standard Motor Products SLS-66? I believe these are the same.

The metal switch was discontinued years ago and can be tough to find. Also, expensive if you do find it. It was GM #3886906.

One other thing: I believe these brake light switches are parts that must meet DOT requirements. Do the box they came in say "DOT" stamped anywhere on them or on the part, itself? I don't think that switches with uncertain operation would meet DOT requirements.

[Jack H.]

Re: brake pedal switch connector

Yep, tis true that some judges look for the Delco Remy script emboss in the rear Bakelite of the brake light switch AND they verify the switch is a 'correct' metal body vs. 'service replacement' plastic bodied switch. But, this, in my opinion, is another example of judging by old wive's tale/urban myth information...

On C1 cars, this distinction has merit, but my belief is it's WRONG for certain, later era, C2/C3 cars. Why do I say this?

Well, crack open your copies of the AIM and flip to the UPC 12 electrical section (around Sheet B6) where the brake light switch is being installed. Look at the PN called out for the switch. On most C2 cars, you'll see the familiar multiple supplier call out--one PN followed by another PN labeled [OPT].

I bet you find one has a Delco Remy PN sequence (199xxxx) that designates the metal body with Bakelite rear cover switch while the other PN is a generic Chevy sequence (3xxxxxx) designating the external purchased part switch. Further, by 1967, the Delco 199xxxx switch is gone completely.

The same PN's were used by passenger cars and as I walk the scrap yards havesting original Delco Remy metal brake switches, I find MANY cars from the mid-60's era that have 'service replacement' plastic bodied switches installed. My conclusion is, these plastic body switches are NOT service replacements, but the factory original, alternate supplier, brake switch components.

Further, I'll venture the plastic body switch was less expensive than the original metal body Delco Remy unit and it was introduced as a 'competing' alternative for cost reduction purposes until the Delco unit simply went the path of the dinosaur... Personally, I'd contest a judge's ruling that these Corvettes ALL used metal bodied, Delco Remy, brake light switches!

That's the problem with judging information that's drawn from small sample observation of 'known original' cars. We went down this path with fan clutches and WSW blades in the past until we learned to actually read the AIM drawings and understand there are a number of places where similar parts from competing supplier sources were used in the factory production of our cars...

[Wayne M.]

Re: brake pedal switch connector

.... On most C2 cars, [in the AIM] you'll see the familiar multiple supplier call out--one PN followed by another PN labeled [OPT].

I bet you find one has a Delco Remy PN sequence (199xxxx) that designates the metal body with Bakelite rear cover switch while the other PN is a generic Chevy sequence (3xxxxxx) designating the external purchased part switch. Further, by 1967, the Delco 199xxxx switch is gone completely....

Good point, Jack; in the case of the '65 AIM [the only one I have] the first switch part # shown is 3825257, with optional # 1993509 (metal can, as in pics above). A look in my July '65 P&A30 does not show the first number; and there's no mention of this number in the Parts History over several years of P&A30's . In the '66 P&A30, Gr 2.447, it shows Both the '509" and 1993353, and the latter # (again) does not show up in parts history of subsequent years. Then, the '67 P&A History, shows the '509' being replaced by 3886906 in SERVICE by 8-66. So maybe the '67 AIM no longer showed the '509' (even) as optional [is this your source for the "... gone completely"] ? My Jan '70 P&A30B still shows 3886906 as service (but now called a switch ASSEMBLY) for '58 thru '67 Corvettes.

Maybe Joe L. can explain why a part # (3825257 in '65 AIM, and also 1993353 in the '66 P&A30) appear, then vanish without leaving a history / supercedence trail.

[Joe L.]

Re: brake pedal switch connector

Good point, Jack; in the case of the '65 AIM [the only one I have] the first switch part # shown is 3825257, with optional # 1993509 (metal can, as in pics above). A look in my July '65 P&A30 does not show the first number; and there's no mention of this number in the Parts History over several years of P&A30's . In the '66 P&A30, Gr 2.447, it shows Both the '509" and 1993353, and the latter # (again) does not show up in parts history of subsequent years. Then, the '67 P&A History, shows the '509' being replaced by 3886906 in SERVICE by 8-66. So maybe the '67 AIM no longer showed the '509' (even) as optional [is this your source for the "... gone completely"] ? My Jan '70 P&A30B still shows 3886906 as service (but now called a switch ASSEMBLY) for '58 thru '67 Corvettes.

Maybe Joe L. can explain why a part # (3825257 in '65 AIM, and also 1993353 in the '66 P&A30) appear, then vanish without leaving a history / supercedence trail.

Wayne-----


First of all, GM #3825257 was a PRODUCTION-only piece. It was never available in SERVICE. It is possible that it was exactly the same as GM #1993509, the optional PRODUCTION piece. Sometimes, parts like these will have "dual" part numbers---a Chevrolet Division part number (e.g. 3825257) and a Delco-Remy Division part number (e.g 1993509). However, it's also very possible, even likely, that the 3825257 was a Chevrolet Division part contracted to an outside supplier for manufacture and the 1993509 was the part manufactured by GM's internal Delco-Remy manufacturing operations. Either could have been used in PRODUCTION but GMSPO chose to stock only the 1993509 for SERVICE.

The GM #3886906 did replace the GM #1993509 for SERVICE in August, 1966. The 3886906 was also used optionally with the GM #3886907 for 1967 PRODUCTION.

Now that I think more about it, I think I was incorrect when I mentioned in a previous response that the 3886906 was a metal body switch. I think the 1993509 was the metal body switch and the 3886906 was the first plastic switch. I have NOS examples of both the GM #1993509 and GM #3886906 and I'll check them when I get a chance to dig them out.

As far as the GM #1993353 which was shown as being applicable to 1966 Corvettes in only 1966 P&A info, I expect that was either and error in the P&A Catalog or it was a case of someone figuring that the 1993353 would SERVICE the 1966 Corvette application with someone else rather quickly figuring out that it would not. So, it just "disappeared" from the P&A Catalog without being discontinued (because it was NOT discontinued; just dropped as a SERVICE item for 1966 Corvettes). The 1993353 did exist, but I don't think it was originally (or ever) used for any Chevrolet applications. I think it was a Delco-Remy part intended for some other GM application.

[Richard E.]

Re: brake pedal switch connector

Joe,
Good point about DOT rating. The last switch that I just had trouble with came from our local Chevrolet dealer as "special order" It's been in the car for about 900 miles. I don't know if I kept the box but I will look for it. I will also check the switch for any markings. It is a simple black plastic case with a white pushbutton.

Thank you and all others for the help once again.

[Jack H.]

Re: brake pedal switch connector

Wayne's pictures bring up another point, we know the Bakelite end cover changed from brown to black in the '61-62 era, but I've never been able to confirm the configuration of the one-year only 1998667 stop light switch used in 1961. I suspect it has a black Bakelite end cover (vs. brown used in prior years) and the metal case is plated cad/zinc vs. the black color characteristic of the '62 and later version of the Delco switch. This brings us to Wayne's picture of the NOS switch.

The 'black' switches I've pulled from various GM scrap yard cars from this era indeed have black colored cases. BUT, it's about a 60/40 shot on whether the black results from the case being painted or plated. Note the shoddy coverage black plate on the NOS part shown in Wayne's picture...

I've got a hunch that GM was experimenting with new form of black plating (Parkerizing?) and experienced uniform coverage consistency problems. Some of the switches I've pulled that were plated vs. painted had EXCELLENT plating coverage, while others looked 'blochey' like the one shown.

That's another issue I've heard NCRS interior judges 'discussing' while they worked... Some swear the switches were NEVER painted black and all were 'perfectly' plated black while others give credit for either form of making the case black (paint or plate). The pass-down information on what's factory correct/original and what isn't simply abounds!

[Rob M.]

Re: brake pedal switch connector

Richard,

I had to replace mine recently and was able to find the metal one (as original) from LIC (3x the $ of the plastic one from Napa).

Regards

[Joe L.]

Re: brake pedal switch connector

Richard,

I had to replace mine recently and was able to find the metal one (as original) from LIC (3x the $ of the plastic one from Napa).

Regards

Rob----


My 1969 has had a plastic switch from day-one. It still has that switch it came with and it still works perfectly 40 years and 200,000 miles later.

[Rob M.]

Re: brake pedal switch connector

Hey Joe,

Well . . . to be honest . . . I had to replace mine at the Tahoe Regional (I drove and mine went out on the way up). All I had as an option was the plastic one from Napa and although I have the metal one ready to go now, I still have the plastic one in from Napa It's working fine and I'm feeling lazy.

Regards