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Help with brake lights, not working

Started by 55 cadi, July 19, 2016, 03:34:42 PM

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55 cadi

Hello,

I was about to go down and get my yearly vehicle inspection done which is due iat end of month and found that all of a sudden my brake lights dont light up. I didnt expect this, and ended up leaving myself with little time to fix.

They were working a week or two ago, but not now.

All other lights work, rear lights are on when headlight engaged, when i step on brakes the brake light does not light up.

I looked in manual for the brake light switch and could not find it.

What can be causes and where is switch located and how to replace.

Thank you in advance for the help.

Jason
1955 Cadillac sedan series 62
1966 mustang convertible w/pony PAC, now in Sweden
2005 Cadillac deville

Steve Passmore

Can't answer for your specific year but the switch is normally on the hydraulic lines somewhere.  Perhaps on the back of the master cylinder or attached to a 'T' block somewhere along the line?
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

54 caddy larry

I believe its mounted to the firewall where the brake peddle shaft comes through, two wires attached to it. Theres a 3 inch or so arm on it that contacts the brake peddle shaft, at least that's how my 54 is. Hopes this helps.
Larry
Larry M

1954 series 62 coupe
1974 Harley Davidson FLH

My caddy is my never ending work in progress.

Steve Passmore

Quote from: 54 caddy larry on July 19, 2016, 04:47:37 PM
I believe its mounted to the firewall where the brake peddle shaft comes through, two wires attached to it. Theres a 3 inch or so arm on it that contacts the brake peddle shaft, at least that's how my 54 is. Hopes this helps.
Larry

I can see that now. Hard to believe they went back to that system in the 50s??? Even pre war it was on the hydraulic line. Sounds like you have to look to the brake pedal under the dash.
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

55 cadi

Sorry, I have a 55 sedan

There is nothing under the peddle, just goes into floor board.
1955 Cadillac sedan series 62
1966 mustang convertible w/pony PAC, now in Sweden
2005 Cadillac deville

J. Gomez

Quote from: 55 cadi on July 19, 2016, 06:23:53 PM
Sorry, I have a 55 sedan

There is nothing under the peddle, just goes into floor board.

Jason,

It should be where the main brake line connects at the master cylinder, see attached file from the MPL.

J. Gomez
CLC #23082

savemy67

Hello Jason,

You might want to consider testing the wiring to the brake lights before removing the switch by connecting the wires at the switch with the connector removed.  This should indicate if the switch itself is bad.

Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Winter
Christopher Winter
1967 Sedan DeVille hardtop

54 caddy larry

Mine is mechanical and mounted on the under hood side of the firewall
Larry
Larry M

1954 series 62 coupe
1974 Harley Davidson FLH

My caddy is my never ending work in progress.

Mike Baillargeon #15848

The switch is located under the car near where the brake pedal shaft goes thru the floor board.

Here is a link to the switch NAPA has for your 55 Cadillac.

2 screws hold it in place. Before you remove the switch disconnect the 2 wires and send some 12 volt power thru the wires to see if the lights work. If they work its the switch that's bad.

https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p/ECHSL128/ECHSL128_0240267700

Mike #15848
Mike
Baillargeon
#15848

55 cadi

Thanks everyone.

I do see it now, its in a horrible place, blocked from underneath and about too far to reach down to leaning over fender.

Jose, mine is one that is on the firewall,  I knew what it looked like i just didn't expect it to be that far down, so I couldn't find at first.

Wouldn't touching the two wires together light up the lights?  If wires are ok and switch is bad?

They are still in a hard spot but oh well, and you definitely need 2 people,  dont know how they expected it to be done with one person, one person with screwdriver and screw on inside of car and other person to hold the switch in place in the engine compartment.

I bought a NOS delco Remy, in case it was the switch, if not i have for when it does go bad, the one on the car looks very old so maybe the switch.


One last thing........
My brake pedal seems stiff, not much movement down when applied, but does make car stop ok, is that how these brakes are?

Thanks to all again for the help.

Jason
1955 Cadillac sedan series 62
1966 mustang convertible w/pony PAC, now in Sweden
2005 Cadillac deville

Steve Passmore

Jason, Yes, if you touch the two wires together the brake lights should work if its the switch gone bad.
If your pedal is not moving very much it could be its just not moving enough to operate the switch?

Seems some strange confusion here as the diagram clearly shows a switch on the hydraulic line and yet you say it has a mechanical type?
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

55 cadi

Think some models have it on master cylinder and others are on firewall.

Mine is on firewall, mechanical
1955 Cadillac sedan series 62
1966 mustang convertible w/pony PAC, now in Sweden
2005 Cadillac deville

J. Gomez

Jason,

I should had look at the Lighting Section on the MPL that shows the ’51 â€" ’55 has the 199 7922 brake light switch which others have indicated is the lever type.

Hmm my laziness or old age  :-\


J. Gomez
CLC #23082