1968 Corvette Brake light switch?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Russellville Arkansas
1968 Corvette Brake light switch?
Can anyone tell me where I can find a brake light switch for my 68 Corvette? This is the switch that makes the brake lights come on when you push down the brake pedal. It shows to be discontinued at ecklers.
Will any other switch work if I cant find one? Thanks, Jon.
Will any other switch work if I cant find one? Thanks, Jon.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
just above and in front of the brake pedal
I am pretty sure it is like my 72 and if so then it is called a stop light switch in most liturature. It is mounted just in front of the brake pedal arm where it comes off the brake pedal mounting bracket.... looks alot like the parking brake switch.
hth,
Sully
hth,
Sully
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The brake light switch is located under the driver's side dash panel. It is mounted near the brake pedal lever so that movement of the lever actuates it. You should also see a small metal can capacitor there (which eliminates any electrical 'pop' from the contacts, which could be objectionable when listening to the radio). If that switch is discontinued [from all sources...which I doubt], you might consider disassembling it to clean up the contacts...the likely problem. Or you can substitute any similar switch which can mount as you need and carry at least as much amperage as the one you presently have (rating should be on the body of the switch).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
The brake light switch is located under the driver's side dash panel. It is mounted near the brake pedal lever so that movement of the lever actuates it. You should also see a small metal can capacitor there (which eliminates any electrical 'pop' from the contacts, which could be objectionable when listening to the radio). If that switch is discontinued [from all sources...which I doubt], you might consider disassembling it to clean up the contacts...the likely problem. Or you can substitute any similar switch which can mount as you need and carry at least as much amperage as the one you presently have (rating should be on the body of the switch).
cheers
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
The orignal 68 switch is a square box with an arm that is actuated by the brake pedal, impossible to find, but you can easily adapt the 69 and up cylender switch with the metal bracket with a minor change to the connector style..... I had to do this on mine, and the cylender styel switch is still readily available
cheers
cheers
This what I had to do with 68 also. I did fine one orignal switch for $300. No way I'm doing that!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
I still say that you have nothing to lose [and everything to gain] by disassembling and trying to repair the original switch. So what if you destroy it...it doesn't work now! If it is riveted together, drill out the rivet heads. Chances are it just has bad/dirty/corroded/burned contacts. There's not much else in a switch to go bad. Contacts are easy to replace...and even easier to clean. You can learn something by digging into it; and you just might be able to salvage it. Why not?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Georgetown Tx
1968 Corvette brake light switch replacement
I can see my switch on my 68 and have power going in to it but not out. I have searched to try to find a illustrated guide on how to replace it but no luck. What do i have to do to remove this switch? Thanks
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Now there is a good question! Worthy of bringing up this 4 year old thread. One of the reasons I adapted a later style brakelight switch and did not replace the 68 one-year-only switch was because I couldn't reach it! It is way up under the dash. You are supposed to just reach up there, disconnect the old one and connect the new one. The hard part is lying on your back and squeezing up there to get to it. I have been told it is much easier if you remove the driver's seat. With the seat in I just got too claustrophobic lying on my back with my head under the dash. Couldn't do it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
I can't remember what size the bolts are but I'd try 1/4" and 5/16".
Last edited by DZRick; Jan 23, 2012 at 01:59 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,034
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
Changed mine to 69 style.
I have had my 68 for 38+ years. It was 4 years old and then the brake light switch went after about a year. Bought a new one and it lasted about a year and a half. Bought another and it went about 2 years later. I had to put the box it came in on top of the brake pedal and push it down with my head to adjust the switch. So much fun! I gave up and found out that 69 up have a different switch. I bought the brackets from Chevy and changed it. Except 68's do not have a hole in the pedal for the one bracket that hits the plunger. I was so mad that I brazed the bracket to the pedal with my torch. By the way, I used a used junk yard switch and it is still working. I have 110,000 miles on the car. I was at the dealer years later and a guy bought the identical switch for a Chevy truck.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,360
Likes: 5,243
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Hate to revive an old thread, but I did 
My 68 brake lights work intermittently. Is there any means of adjusting the switch to get the brake lights working when I apply the brakes?
My 68 brake lights work intermittently. Is there any means of adjusting the switch to get the brake lights working when I apply the brakes?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
The switch is adjustable, the bolt mounting holes are slotted as in the photo above. When the switch in my 68 went south, adapted in a 69 up plunger style switch. 68 switch = big bucks. 69 up style switch costs around 10.00
