Brake light switch

[mrthieba]

In replacing brake light switch , does it matter which wire goes to which terminal? I'm guessing it doesn't, but just want to clarify.

 

[bernd_st]

No, it doesn't matter. Any direction is ok...

 

[IvaTiger]

It’s just a simple switch so it does not matter but if it was a diode it would matter. If you are using synthetic brake fluid the switch does not last long and in time will need replacing or install a switch that is activated by the brake pedal

 

[Austin Healer]

original brake boosters don't like dot 5 fluid either. the couple of companies who rebuild them state that if you use dot 5 it will void your warrantee. Nothing quite as fun as opening a bleed screw when you're trapped with the brakes locked on in an intersection.....

 

[65beam]

It’s just a simple switch so it does not matter but if it was a diode it would matter. If you are using synthetic brake fluid the switch does not last long and in time will need replacing or install a switch that is activated by the brake pedal

When Rootes dropped the Alpine / Tiger body and switched production to Lynwood there was a switch to a Lockheed system. This included using a dual brake master and booster that only put boost to the front wheels. The best part of this system was the use of a brake light switch inside the car activated by the brake pedal. The switch is mounted with the switch plunger being so that when the pedal is pushed down the plunger moves down and activates the brake lights. I've had fastbacks for over 40 years and never had a brake switch go bad. I see Tigers and Alpines with the Lockheed booster installed. Has anyone installed one of these boosters and used silicone brake fluid and if so how does it affect the internals of the booster? The problem with the brake switch would still exist.

 

[pfreen]

I have used silicone brake fluid on my Lotus Europa for 25 years. My car has dual Lockheed boosters, hydraulic brake light switch, front girling disc brakes and rear girling drum brakes.

I converted because there was always a problem when DOT 3 was in the car. Since converting, there has not been a problem. I have read about all the horror stories with silicone fluid but I would not use anything else in a classic, non-racing car.

I also converted my Tiger to silicone fluid. I rebuilt all of the brakes including the Girling booster before converting to silicone fluid.

I use Cartel silicone brake fluid. I have never used anything else.

 

[Austin Healer]

Lockheed and Girling boosters are NOT the same animal.....

 

[pfreen]

We'll see what happens with the Tiger Girling booster.

 

[0neoffive]

Any inadvertent fluids mix with DOT 5 will begin to work on the seals. Completely flush the system with inert mineral spirits before charging the system with the DOT 5. Just sayin'

 

[pfreen]

Yes. I started with a completely rebuilt system, using silicone fluid to lubricate the seals.