C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

75 brake pedal problem ....brake light on

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 8, 2007 | 03:23 PM
  #1  
uksailmaker's Avatar
uksailmaker
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
Default 75 brake pedal problem ....brake light on

I was trying to get my seatbelt from behind the seat while driving and accidently pulled my brake pedal up.

Now when the pedal is pushed down it stays down and the brake light stays and the battery goes dead. Unless I have not been drinking and remember to pull the pedal up with my foot.

BTW I bought this without wife's permission and slept in the guest room until I agreed to sell. I had it painted and sidepipes to help sell ,,,,,,,,I have decided the guest room is not so bad .......keeping it eventhough it is a 75 but it is all original, matching with A/C and 67k miles.

I am sure the pedal is an easy fix but I can see the problem.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2007 | 05:48 PM
  #2  
Corvette ED's Avatar
Corvette ED
Le Mans Master
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,127
Likes: 2,327
From: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
Default

Check the fluid to see if you have a leak. If your wife is pissed about your purchase tell her to pack up and hit the road.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2007 | 05:58 PM
  #3  
SEVNT6's Avatar
SEVNT6
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,043
Likes: 3,344
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by Corvette ED
If your wife is pissed about your purchase tell her to pack up and hit the road.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2007 | 01:34 PM
  #4  
uksailmaker's Avatar
uksailmaker
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
Default

I will check fluid but it happened when I pulled the pedal up with my foot on accident

I was told yesterday by a friend that he thinks there is a brake switch with a spring but I dont see the spring or did not see one in my floor when I caused the problem.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2007 | 02:10 PM
  #5  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Sounds like you need a brake pedal return spring if the system is otherwise in good shape. If the pedal will not return to the normal position due to a weak spring, the brake lights will stay on, eventually running the battery down.

Reply
Old Apr 9, 2007 | 04:59 PM
  #6  
wcsinx's Avatar
wcsinx
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Default

You knocked the switch/striker out of place when you yanked the pedal up. Crawl under there and look. It'll make sense.
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2007 | 08:44 AM
  #7  
croussel's Avatar
croussel
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Default

It sounds like the striker arm that is attached to the brake pedal arm is not hitting the brake light switch under the dash. I would look under the dash and see why the pedal is not moving forward, you will also see the brake light switch I am talking about. It should not be the problem, it sounds like something is in the way of the arm coming all the way forward.

Originally Posted by uksailmaker
I was trying to get my seatbelt from behind the seat while driving and accidently pulled my brake pedal up.

Now when the pedal is pushed down it stays down and the brake light stays and the battery goes dead. Unless I have not been drinking and remember to pull the pedal up with my foot.

BTW I bought this without wife's permission and slept in the guest room until I agreed to sell. I had it painted and sidepipes to help sell ,,,,,,,,I have decided the guest room is not so bad .......keeping it eventhough it is a 75 but it is all original, matching with A/C and 67k miles.

I am sure the pedal is an easy fix but I can see the problem.
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2007 | 06:35 PM
  #8  
uksailmaker's Avatar
uksailmaker
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
Default

Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Sounds like you need a brake pedal return spring if the system is otherwise in good shape. If the pedal will not return to the normal position due to a weak spring, the brake lights will stay on, eventually running the battery down.


Mike

I checked fluid it is full. The pedal hits the switch and turns taillights off if I pull it up by hand.

The pedal gets stuck down and pulls back with a click by hand.

I think Mike is right and my friend also said there is a spring. Where does the spring go and where do I buy one
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Apr 12, 2007 | 06:40 PM
  #9  
Greg's Avatar
Greg
Just another Corvette guy
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Default

Originally Posted by Corvette ED
If your wife is pissed about your purchase tell her to pack up and hit the road.

Tell her the Vette should score you a new babe in no time.
....and keep drinking
Best,
Greg
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2007 | 11:43 PM
  #10  
chstitans42's Avatar
chstitans42
TheCorvetteBen
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
Default

My 75 has the EXACT same problem, except that mine was like that when i bought the car. I dont have leaks in my brake lines. I heard that it is either the brake pedal return spring, or the power brake booster. For me, since i am funding the restoration by myself, am using the option of pushing the pedal back in its spot everytime i brake. LOL my left foot isnt doing much anyways...

Last edited by chstitans42; Apr 12, 2007 at 11:44 PM. Reason: brake not break lol
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2007 | 02:21 PM
  #11  
uksailmaker's Avatar
uksailmaker
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
Default

Originally Posted by chstitans42
My 75 has the EXACT same problem, except that mine was like that when i bought the car. I dont have leaks in my brake lines. I heard that it is either the brake pedal return spring, or the power brake booster. For me, since i am funding the restoration by myself, am using the option of pushing the pedal back in its spot everytime i brake. LOL my left foot isnt doing much anyways...

THIS FORUM IS IMMPOSSIBLE TO STUMP. I AM SURE THIS THREAD IS NOT GETTING READ SO I WILL REWRITE IT.

I have been spoiled buying this 75 with 65k miles all original and everything working except the A/C cpmpressor locks up.

I would perfer to fix the pedal and it has to be simple. And I know the guys on this forum has the answer.

I caused the problem by putting my foot under the pedal and using it to do a situp to get my seatbelt from behind the seat.

Because I did it by pulling the pedal it has to be a spring or whatever makes the pedal come up after braking. I can not believe it is a booster issue but a spring. Either way it has to be a easy fix.
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2007 | 03:26 PM
  #12  
SIXFOOTER's Avatar
SIXFOOTER
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Default

Can't help with the brake pedal, but I can tell you the vette will be cheaper over the long haul than the wife is!
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2007 | 10:59 AM
  #13  
wcsinx's Avatar
wcsinx
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Default

Originally Posted by uksailmaker
Because I did it by pulling the pedal it has to be a spring or whatever makes the pedal come up after braking. I can not believe it is a booster issue but a spring. Either way it has to be a easy fix.
Ok, define "easy". Because it doesn't sound like you've even looked under there to see what's up. If that ain't "easy" in your book, then you need to just take it into a shop.

Let's review...

1. Brakes were working
2. Lights were working
3. Yanked pedal up
4. Brakes still working
5. Lights not working

This sequence of events effectively eliminates....

0. Springs
1. Booster
2. Master Cylinder
3. Fluid
4. Slave Cylinders
5. Pads
6. Lines
7. Proportioning Block
8. Hubs
9. Wheels
10. Tires

...as the possible culprits

So what's left? Ahh yes, the pedal itself. Now the pedal stop is actually a push button switch. There's a striker attached to the pedal arm that hits this switch to turn off your brake lights. The position of that switch is what determines the "rest" position of your pedal. If that switch is knocked out of place (for example by yanking the pedal up hard into it) then it's possible that the pedal will not come to rest at a high enough position for the striker to push that switch in to open the brake light circuit. So guess what, you knocked that switch up too far or maybe even completely out of its housing. Crawl under there and look.

We are trying to help you here, but you've got to meet us halfway.

Last edited by wcsinx; Apr 16, 2007 at 11:08 AM.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2007 | 11:07 AM
  #14  
wcsinx's Avatar
wcsinx
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Default

The switch ...



Notice the long, threaded length which allows you to adjust the rest height of the pedal. Also notice that it's plastic and can be stripped/broken.

The striker...

Reply
Old Apr 16, 2007 | 10:02 PM
  #15  
uksailmaker's Avatar
uksailmaker
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
Default

Originally Posted by wcsinx
The switch ...



Notice the long, threaded length which allows you to adjust the rest height of the pedal. Also notice that it's plastic and can be stripped/broken.

The striker...

wcsinx,

I am in Orlando ..thanks for the help

I have looked under again and I cant figure what makes the pedal come out

here is what I see

The pedal has a rod that goes into a rubber boot near firewall and it stops about half way out of the rubber boot coming back up after pushing down.

this leaves the striker less than an inch from the white plastic switch....if you give it an easy pull on the pedal it releases with a click and comes up to the correct position with the striker pushing the white plastic switch and turns off the taillights.

The taillights work fine but do not turn off because the pedal gets stuck just before the switch. The switch and striker appear to be in the right place.

The brake pedal gets stuck everytime not just somtimes. I sprayed the piston or rod going into the boot and it moves in and out easier but still gets stuck.

WHAT FORCES THE PEDAL UP AFTER YOU BRAKE?????

that is the problem....is it oil pressure or a spring
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2007 | 10:15 PM
  #16  
uksailmaker's Avatar
uksailmaker
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
Default

On a manual car there is a spring wrapped around the pedal pivot.
On a power car the brake booster does the job.

I would bet you bent up the lightswitch bracket, better getdown and take a look...


I STARTED A 2ND THREAD WHEN I THOUGHT THE FIRST WAS POORLY TITLED and this was posted as my problem


my 75 is auto tranny and power brakes......SOUNDS LIKE I MIGHT HAVE BENT THE SWITCH BRACKET
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2007 | 10:03 AM
  #17  
wcsinx's Avatar
wcsinx
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Default

Originally Posted by uksailmaker
this leaves the striker less than an inch from the white plastic switch....if you give it an easy pull on the pedal it releases with a click and comes up to the correct position with the striker pushing the white plastic switch and turns off the taillights.
The "click" you describe is actually the pushrod popping out of its seat in the booster. I know that sound well because my pedal used to do the same thing because the previous owner installed the wrong booster with a pushrod that was too short. But that's another story. If you feel/hear that sound, the pedal is coming up way too far.

WHAT FORCES THE PEDAL UP AFTER YOU BRAKE?????

that is the problem....is it oil pressure or a spring
1. Hydraulic back pressure
2. Relaxation of the booster bladder
3. The pedal spring

(in order of most to least)

But none of those are your problem. I don't remember how sturdy (or not) the switch bracket is, but it's possible that you bent it up. What I think is more likely is that you knocked the switch back up through its threaded hole. Unplug the leads to the switch and see if you can spin it back down into place. If it's stripped, then just get a new one. It's a cheap, common GM part used in a bajillion vehicles.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2007 | 09:53 PM
  #18  
uksailmaker's Avatar
uksailmaker
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
Default

Originally Posted by wcsinx
The "click" you describe is actually the pushrod popping out of its seat in the booster. I know that sound well because my pedal used to do the same thing because the previous owner installed the wrong booster with a pushrod that was too short. But that's another story. If you feel/hear that sound, the pedal is coming up way too far.



1. Hydraulic back pressure
2. Relaxation of the booster bladder
3. The pedal spring

(in order of most to least)

But none of those are your problem. I don't remember how sturdy (or not) the switch bracket is, but it's possible that you bent it up. What I think is more likely is that you knocked the switch back up through its threaded hole. Unplug the leads to the switch and see if you can spin it back down into place. If it's stripped, then just get a new one. It's a cheap, common GM part used in a bajillion vehicles.

Thanks for all the help

I looked again today and when I pull it up ...you are right it is not normal position to be up this high

The switch has been moved or bracket and I will take it out tomorrow.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2007 | 04:50 PM
  #19  
wcsinx's Avatar
wcsinx
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Default

Hey no problem

I like to help, and brakes are kind of an obsession of mine.

My dad used to say, "If there's one thing that always should be kept in perfect working condition on a car, it's the brakes."
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 75 brake pedal problem ....brake light on





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:12 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE