Emergency break light
02-12-2014, 03:24 PM
#1
Emergency break light
I'm trying to reconstruct the emergency brake light on my 57 Vette. I have located the Red jewel, the spring and the socket that goes into the jewel setting. I also have the harness (this is new). There are 2 wires coming out of the socket, ending with a plug which I am assuming will go into the main wiring harness. There is also a third wire. Any idea where this goes? Am I missing a component to this emergency brake light setup? If you have any info please advise, or better still those 57 owners with the correct setup if possible please send me a photo of the entire setup. Btw the forum is a great tool and I'm glad I'm a member.
02-12-2014, 05:18 PM
#2
Safety Car
Member Since: May 2007
Location: Indiana
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I don't have a picture but the wring would feed from your fuse block since the brake warning was an option.
02-13-2014, 12:55 AM
#5
I think the diagram is actually for 56-57 as 58 and newer had the light hole already in the instrument panel. It was an option but just needed the wiring harness with bulb socket and the switch. I think before 58 you needed the separate light. This diagram is from a nos switch I purchased for my 60 and it works great my car did not appear to have the warning light option from factory.
02-13-2014, 06:47 AM
#6
I think the diagram is actually for 56-57 as 58 and newer had the light hole already in the instrument panel. It was an option but just needed the wiring harness with bulb socket and the switch. I think before 58 you needed the separate light. This diagram is from a nos switch I purchased for my 60 and it works great my car did not appear to have the warning light option from factory.
Yes. The 57 has a large red jewel light that is set in a chrome plate between the steering column and the dash speedometer. It's real nice looking. Anyway I have the parts as your diagram suggests, although the flasher looks larger than my setup. The switch on the emergency brake is a very rare part and I recently picked one up on EBay- even though I had to mortgage my house to pay for it!
02-13-2014, 09:35 AM
#7
Melting Slicks
My 62 doesn't have the switch or harness for it. Does anyone know if the switch is mounted in the same location as the diagram above?
I've been thinking of buying this kit made for 55-57 Chevys and see if it would work.
http://www.classicchevy.com/chevy-em...1955-1957.html
I have my regular pb light wired as a alt light now.
I've been thinking of buying this kit made for 55-57 Chevys and see if it would work.
http://www.classicchevy.com/chevy-em...1955-1957.html
I have my regular pb light wired as a alt light now.
02-13-2014, 09:50 AM
#8
Safety Car
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The 57 flasher is different from the one shown. The switch and the flasher mount together about half way on the shaft toward the firewall, not at the top of the shaft. When you pull the brake, a pin sticking up off the shaft pulls the thin metal arm attached to the switch and it activates the light so the bracket has to be mounted just in the right spot.
Last edited by Geralds57; 02-13-2014 at 10:17 AM.
02-13-2014, 10:39 AM
#9
Melting Slicks
The setup for a 56/57 is below. The switch mounts to your ebrake rod housing and the flasher plugs into it and the wire from the bulb socket with the barrel connector plugs into the other end of the flasher. The other wire with the female spade connector then terminates at the 'Brake' position' spade lug on the fuse board in the second pic below. The fuse board is mounted on the interior side of the firewall up behind the dr side kick panel.
Here is a link to a pdf of the Ebrake Warning option from the 57 AIM:
http://www.earlycorvettes.com/chatgr...20AlarmOCR.pdf
Here is a link to a pdf of the Ebrake Warning option from the 57 AIM:
http://www.earlycorvettes.com/chatgr...20AlarmOCR.pdf
Last edited by Marks69BB; 02-13-2014 at 11:15 AM.
02-13-2014, 08:11 PM
#10
The setup for a 56/57 is below. The switch mounts to your ebrake rod housing and the flasher plugs into it and the wire from the bulb socket with the barrel connector plugs into the other end of the flasher. The other wire with the female spade connector then terminates at the 'Brake' position' spade lug on the fuse board in the second pic below. The fuse board is mounted on the interior side of the firewall up behind the dr side kick panel.
Here is a link to a pdf of the Ebrake Warning option from the 57 AIM:
http://www.earlycorvettes.com/chatgr...20AlarmOCR.pdf
Here is a link to a pdf of the Ebrake Warning option from the 57 AIM:
http://www.earlycorvettes.com/chatgr...20AlarmOCR.pdf
Photos and diagrams are terrific. Thanks. Any idea where I can get my hands on the flasher. I'm missing this piece.
02-13-2014, 08:42 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
I rigged up my own flasher using a micro switch from an electronics store and a flashing bulb (#257 IIRC). I got frustrated with the prices I was seeing for original setups. Mine works just fine! 
02-13-2014, 09:23 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
The flasher is an expensive and difficult part to come by. One alternative if you have the switch, is to set up the warning light like the 61-62's and use the 257 blinking bulb. Appearance on the dash light will be the same/similar and unless you are planning to have your car judged, no visual difference from the drivers position. 
Pilot Dan
Pilot Dan
02-13-2014, 11:06 PM
#13
I had a hard time finding the switch and was not happy at the cost but it was an investment and I was lucky to find the nos in box with all papers and I am very happy with it's operation.
02-14-2014, 01:01 AM
#14
Melting Slicks
Also make sure the ebrake shaft has the dowel pin installed which trips the lever on the switch. If it is missing, the switch will not open so the warning light will continue to blink when the brake is released.