'68 Brake Light Switch
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
'68 Brake Light Switch
I am experiencing repeated brake light switch failures (the switch that is mounted on the brake pedal arm) on my ’68 roadster. From what I understand, the particular design is unique to the ’68. I was “lucky” enough to locate original replacement switches twice (still in Delco boxes), but they seem to fail after a few months. I have disassembled the failed switches and cleaned the contacts but that didn’t help.
I searched through the threads and found several posts related to this issue but it wasn’t clear to me what switch would be the best fit. I spoke to one of the shops that I bought a replacement switch from and they stated that I would need to swap out both the brake and clutch arms and linkages to use the switch used from ’69 on. That option isn't too appealing at the moment. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has successfully replaced the brake light switch in a ’68 with a different design and if there are any critical items I should be aware of. Thanks.
I searched through the threads and found several posts related to this issue but it wasn’t clear to me what switch would be the best fit. I spoke to one of the shops that I bought a replacement switch from and they stated that I would need to swap out both the brake and clutch arms and linkages to use the switch used from ’69 on. That option isn't too appealing at the moment. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has successfully replaced the brake light switch in a ’68 with a different design and if there are any critical items I should be aware of. Thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 911
Likes: 5
From: TN
68 switches
Don't know why your 68 is having the brake light switch problem, my original factory installed 68's switch is still working activating the 4 brake lights. Are you sure there is not another problem other than the switches you have replaced? You are so right in that the 68 has a unique brakel light switch, I am sure I will not be able to as lucky as you and find a replacement when I need to. One day I am going to remove the grounding wires to my tail/brake lights and clean up the rust on the connections and put some protection on the terminals to keep them from rusting. 40 years is a long time to expect some stuff to work.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
This is not good. The 68 switch is common to 68 only. They are very hard to find and you might want to look for an alternative to the original switch. We do have NOS available, but I'm almost scared to post the link.
Here it is, and if you can't find a used one here is the link for a new one. http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=25503
Willcox Inc.
Here it is, and if you can't find a used one here is the link for a new one. http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=25503
Willcox Inc.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
I recently got a new product flyer from either Eckler's, Corvette America or Corvette Central (can't remember which one!) that they had repops for 55.00. If you're interested I'll dig up the vendor and part #. These are the same old lever type mechanical switch GM used since the 40's. What makes the Corvette unique is the mounting bracket and the lever on the switch.
They used the plunger style switch pre 68 and 69 up so who knows what the thinking was on the 68. The original switch in my 68 was still functional but had lots of wear on the lever, so with the dash out I bit the bullet and found an NOS one and replaced it. That would not be a fun one to replace with the dash in place.
What's failing on your switches? If you go through them every few months there is an underlying issue causing the problem.
They used the plunger style switch pre 68 and 69 up so who knows what the thinking was on the 68. The original switch in my 68 was still functional but had lots of wear on the lever, so with the dash out I bit the bullet and found an NOS one and replaced it. That would not be a fun one to replace with the dash in place.
What's failing on your switches? If you go through them every few months there is an underlying issue causing the problem.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Thanks for the replies. If the switch is bypassed all four lights work correctly. Bench testing the switches also confirms that the switches are not completing the circuit so I am pretty sure it's the switch. I didn't want to believe my own trouble shooting results due to the scarcity and cost of the switch, so I had two mechanics independently confirm my findings. With that said, I can see there are some pretty experienced people in the forum, so I am certainly open to suggestions.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
Are you burning the contacts inside your switch? If you look at the swedged connectors where the wires attach going into the switch can you wiggle the connectors and does the insulating material around the connectors have a cooked or overheated appearance?
If so you have an excess current draw or high circuit resistance issue that's killing your switches.
Do you have access to a digital VOM that you could measure resistance and current draw through the stoplight circuit with?
If so you have an excess current draw or high circuit resistance issue that's killing your switches.
Do you have access to a digital VOM that you could measure resistance and current draw through the stoplight circuit with?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 1
To convert a 68 to 69-up style switch requires drilling mounting holes for the switch backet as will as finding the switch brackets themselves. I beleive Zip's has the brackets.
Without pulling that pedal assembly, I don't think you could drill the holes. The 68 repop sounds better all the time.
Without pulling that pedal assembly, I don't think you could drill the holes. The 68 repop sounds better all the time.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Bubba does brakelight switch??? again? 
My original thread from the year... 2002 !!!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=272851
This was NOT my idea.. somebody else on the forum showed me how to do this. I did it just to see if I could... and that was 6 years ago and the thing still works fine.
Here was the first reprieve, back in... Jan 2007
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=bubba
It really was fairly easy to do, didn't have to pull the dash, change the pedals, and stuff like that. Also, it is invisible unless you crawl under the dash.
I still have a new 68 brakelight switch - they were making them and were generally available in 2002.. but I am hanging on to it.
My original thread from the year... 2002 !!!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=272851
This was NOT my idea.. somebody else on the forum showed me how to do this. I did it just to see if I could... and that was 6 years ago and the thing still works fine.
Here was the first reprieve, back in... Jan 2007
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=bubba
It really was fairly easy to do, didn't have to pull the dash, change the pedals, and stuff like that. Also, it is invisible unless you crawl under the dash.
I still have a new 68 brakelight switch - they were making them and were generally available in 2002.. but I am hanging on to it.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Looks like I'm the wrong one, there is a repro and it's listed at this link. Actually the switch that is available looks like a replacement switch and not like the original. I've pasted a picture of both on our web site under the reproduction part number.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=25504
I think looking at the picture there is quite a difference from the original vs. the reproduction replacement. I've not installed one yet to see if it works, but for the difference in price between repro and NOS it might be worth a shot.
Willcox Inc.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=25504
I think looking at the picture there is quite a difference from the original vs. the reproduction replacement. I've not installed one yet to see if it works, but for the difference in price between repro and NOS it might be worth a shot.
Willcox Inc.
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jul 17, 2008 at 05:33 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Thank you for a great deal of helpful information! Sounds like I have a bit more trouble shooting to do this weekend as suggested by 1Fordman to make sure I am at the root cause of the issue. I also can't believe that I missed a couple of sources for the repo switches and thanks for the links. And it looks like I have what I need to move over to another switch design if needed.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
2002, that's the same switch we show as a replacement. It's pictured next to an original switch to show the difference. The main difference is where the arm is located.
