Retrofitting brake light switch

I'm updating an old CJ5 (69) and recently added swinging pedals to it from a Subaru WRX.

My question is: on the pedal setup the brake light switch works opposite of what is needed. With the brake pedal all the way up it depresses the switch but at that time the power is allowed through the switch. When the pedal is depressed the plunger comes out but it breaks the circuit and the lights go out. Can this be retrofitted to work with my CJ or do I need a different switch?

 

You could use a relay with that switch if you don't mind extra wiring

 

Can you give me an idea of how to wire the relay to make it work?

 

Connect the output of the switch to the coil of the relay. Use the normally closed contact to light your taillights. You have to make sure that the taillight wire goes cold when the ignition is off, othrwise your taillights will be on when there's no juice to the relay.

Come to think of it, that sounds dangerous. If you have a power failure, you'd have no brake lights. Not sure how Subaru did it or why, but I would replace the switch with one of the opposite 'sense.'

 

This switch was probably used as an input to shut down something when the brake pedal is depressed, like cruise control. Is there another switch on the pedals somewhere or is that it? Another option is to use a pressure switch in the brake hydraulic system like stock. They make switches also that are open when depressed and closed when not. Something like that could work as well.

 

Hadn't thought about it being for a different function. Will double check tonight to see if there is another switch.

 

On the '69 aren't there two existing original inline pressure switches that could be used?

 

Also, check to see if there is another terminal on the switch, could be you have a DPST setup.

 

Do you still have the original turn signal? Your brake lights are wired into it. Sure would be simpler to wire if you go brake line pressure switch like normal.

 

:iagree:

 

Nope, the originals are long gone.

 

I am currently working on putting an electrial Momentary switch in mine...i will keep you all updated if there is any interest.

 

More and more I get the impression that a brake switch is prefered to be activated by actual brake fluid pressure. My newly installed swinging pedals from an isuzu are the same way. The switch on the pedal assembly was useless to me for the same reason.

I just put a "T" inline one of the front brake lines and put a regular brake pressure switch on it. Works great.

 

Well it worked. I got a 3.99 momentary switch from radio shack. Used a washer and a few wireties to hOld It to the brake lever under the firewall. Ran the two wires to the switch and after a little adjustment to get it right. And tah dah. Works great