Brake trouble
 

I have an 89 YJ and I'm having a problem with my brake lights that I
can't figure out. I was backing up the other day and noticed that my
brake lights weren't coming on.

The parking lights, back up lights, and hazards all checked out okay.
I went out and bought a new brake light switch, but that didn't fix the
problem. As it turns out, both the old and new switches work when I
squeeze them with pliers. However, neither works when installed. If
we bypassed the brake switch altogether, the lights came on. While I
was at it, I checked the wiring and it all checked out okay.

I believe it's a mechanical problem, not an electrical one. After a
lot of frustration, I finally figured out that the lights will come on
if I move the switch around on the rod coming out of the power brake
booster. Thinking that the rod that connects the power brake booster to
the brake pedal might have worn, I replaced the booster, but that
didn't fix the problem either.

It certainly seems like it's a mechanical connection problem, but I
don't know where the problem is. As far as I know I've put everything
back together correctly. I've had it by the dealer and they only came
up with the same things I already figured out.

I know I could simply install a universal switch, but I'd like to get
it working properly.

Thanks for your help!
Steve

Re: Brake trouble
 

Might be a dumb question to ask, but, is the switch adjusted snugly up to
the brake (assuming yours is like mine)? Do the lights work with the switch
activated by hand? When I swapped mine, I think I had to press it into the
threads til just right but it pushed its way out in the beginning. Sounds
like such a simple problem that it might be a silly mistake (been there and
do that more than I like to admit:).
Drink
"motorrad" <motorrad17@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1136329410.343092.194280@g14g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>I have an 89 YJ and I'm having a problem with my brake lights that I
> can't figure out. I was backing up the other day and noticed that my
> brake lights weren't coming on.
>
> The parking lights, back up lights, and hazards all checked out okay.
> I went out and bought a new brake light switch, but that didn't fix the
> problem. As it turns out, both the old and new switches work when I
> squeeze them with pliers. However, neither works when installed. If
> we bypassed the brake switch altogether, the lights came on. While I
> was at it, I checked the wiring and it all checked out okay.
>
> I believe it's a mechanical problem, not an electrical one. After a
> lot of frustration, I finally figured out that the lights will come on
> if I move the switch around on the rod coming out of the power brake
> booster. Thinking that the rod that connects the power brake booster to
> the brake pedal might have worn, I replaced the booster, but that
> didn't fix the problem either.
>
> It certainly seems like it's a mechanical connection problem, but I
> don't know where the problem is. As far as I know I've put everything
> back together correctly. I've had it by the dealer and they only came
> up with the same things I already figured out.
>
> I know I could simply install a universal switch, but I'd like to get
> it working properly.
>
> Thanks for your help!
> Steve
>

Re: Brake trouble
 

Might be a dumb question to ask, but, is the switch adjusted snugly up to
the brake (assuming yours is like mine)? Do the lights work with the switch
activated by hand? When I swapped mine, I think I had to press it into the
threads til just right but it pushed its way out in the beginning. Sounds
like such a simple problem that it might be a silly mistake (been there and
do that more than I like to admit:).
Drink
"motorrad" <motorrad17@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1136329410.343092.194280@g14g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>I have an 89 YJ and I'm having a problem with my brake lights that I
> can't figure out. I was backing up the other day and noticed that my
> brake lights weren't coming on.
>
> The parking lights, back up lights, and hazards all checked out okay.
> I went out and bought a new brake light switch, but that didn't fix the
> problem. As it turns out, both the old and new switches work when I
> squeeze them with pliers. However, neither works when installed. If
> we bypassed the brake switch altogether, the lights came on. While I
> was at it, I checked the wiring and it all checked out okay.
>
> I believe it's a mechanical problem, not an electrical one. After a
> lot of frustration, I finally figured out that the lights will come on
> if I move the switch around on the rod coming out of the power brake
> booster. Thinking that the rod that connects the power brake booster to
> the brake pedal might have worn, I replaced the booster, but that
> didn't fix the problem either.
>
> It certainly seems like it's a mechanical connection problem, but I
> don't know where the problem is. As far as I know I've put everything
> back together correctly. I've had it by the dealer and they only came
> up with the same things I already figured out.
>
> I know I could simply install a universal switch, but I'd like to get
> it working properly.
>
> Thanks for your help!
> Steve
>

Re: Brake trouble
 

Might be a dumb question to ask, but, is the switch adjusted snugly up to
the brake (assuming yours is like mine)? Do the lights work with the switch
activated by hand? When I swapped mine, I think I had to press it into the
threads til just right but it pushed its way out in the beginning. Sounds
like such a simple problem that it might be a silly mistake (been there and
do that more than I like to admit:).
Drink
"motorrad" <motorrad17@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1136329410.343092.194280@g14g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>I have an 89 YJ and I'm having a problem with my brake lights that I
> can't figure out. I was backing up the other day and noticed that my
> brake lights weren't coming on.
>
> The parking lights, back up lights, and hazards all checked out okay.
> I went out and bought a new brake light switch, but that didn't fix the
> problem. As it turns out, both the old and new switches work when I
> squeeze them with pliers. However, neither works when installed. If
> we bypassed the brake switch altogether, the lights came on. While I
> was at it, I checked the wiring and it all checked out okay.
>
> I believe it's a mechanical problem, not an electrical one. After a
> lot of frustration, I finally figured out that the lights will come on
> if I move the switch around on the rod coming out of the power brake
> booster. Thinking that the rod that connects the power brake booster to
> the brake pedal might have worn, I replaced the booster, but that
> didn't fix the problem either.
>
> It certainly seems like it's a mechanical connection problem, but I
> don't know where the problem is. As far as I know I've put everything
> back together correctly. I've had it by the dealer and they only came
> up with the same things I already figured out.
>
> I know I could simply install a universal switch, but I'd like to get
> it working properly.
>
> Thanks for your help!
> Steve
>

Re: Brake trouble
 

You obviously don't have it adjusted when it is installed.

If the switch and wiring work in your hand, then the only reason it
won't work when installed is the adjustment or a broken wire inside the
plug that hooks onto the switch. The adjustment is a pain to do
sometimes and sets the depth of the switch.

If the $tealer can't fix it, you just 'can't' be offering enough
cash....

I'll bet they insisted on that $100.00 if you bring it in the door fee
just to start eh?

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/in...?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

motorrad wrote:
>
> I have an 89 YJ and I'm having a problem with my brake lights that I
> can't figure out. I was backing up the other day and noticed that my
> brake lights weren't coming on.
>
> The parking lights, back up lights, and hazards all checked out okay.
> I went out and bought a new brake light switch, but that didn't fix the
> problem. As it turns out, both the old and new switches work when I
> squeeze them with pliers. However, neither works when installed. If
> we bypassed the brake switch altogether, the lights came on. While I
> was at it, I checked the wiring and it all checked out okay.
>
> I believe it's a mechanical problem, not an electrical one. After a
> lot of frustration, I finally figured out that the lights will come on
> if I move the switch around on the rod coming out of the power brake
> booster. Thinking that the rod that connects the power brake booster to
> the brake pedal might have worn, I replaced the booster, but that
> didn't fix the problem either.
>
> It certainly seems like it's a mechanical connection problem, but I
> don't know where the problem is. As far as I know I've put everything
> back together correctly. I've had it by the dealer and they only came
> up with the same things I already figured out.
>
> I know I could simply install a universal switch, but I'd like to get
> it working properly.
>
> Thanks for your help!
> Steve

Re: Brake trouble
 

You obviously don't have it adjusted when it is installed.

If the switch and wiring work in your hand, then the only reason it
won't work when installed is the adjustment or a broken wire inside the
plug that hooks onto the switch. The adjustment is a pain to do
sometimes and sets the depth of the switch.

If the $tealer can't fix it, you just 'can't' be offering enough
cash....

I'll bet they insisted on that $100.00 if you bring it in the door fee
just to start eh?

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/in...?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

motorrad wrote:
>
> I have an 89 YJ and I'm having a problem with my brake lights that I
> can't figure out. I was backing up the other day and noticed that my
> brake lights weren't coming on.
>
> The parking lights, back up lights, and hazards all checked out okay.
> I went out and bought a new brake light switch, but that didn't fix the
> problem. As it turns out, both the old and new switches work when I
> squeeze them with pliers. However, neither works when installed. If
> we bypassed the brake switch altogether, the lights came on. While I
> was at it, I checked the wiring and it all checked out okay.
>
> I believe it's a mechanical problem, not an electrical one. After a
> lot of frustration, I finally figured out that the lights will come on
> if I move the switch around on the rod coming out of the power brake
> booster. Thinking that the rod that connects the power brake booster to
> the brake pedal might have worn, I replaced the booster, but that
> didn't fix the problem either.
>
> It certainly seems like it's a mechanical connection problem, but I
> don't know where the problem is. As far as I know I've put everything
> back together correctly. I've had it by the dealer and they only came
> up with the same things I already figured out.
>
> I know I could simply install a universal switch, but I'd like to get
> it working properly.
>
> Thanks for your help!
> Steve

Re: Brake trouble
 

You obviously don't have it adjusted when it is installed.

If the switch and wiring work in your hand, then the only reason it
won't work when installed is the adjustment or a broken wire inside the
plug that hooks onto the switch. The adjustment is a pain to do
sometimes and sets the depth of the switch.

If the $tealer can't fix it, you just 'can't' be offering enough
cash....

I'll bet they insisted on that $100.00 if you bring it in the door fee
just to start eh?

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/in...?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

motorrad wrote:
>
> I have an 89 YJ and I'm having a problem with my brake lights that I
> can't figure out. I was backing up the other day and noticed that my
> brake lights weren't coming on.
>
> The parking lights, back up lights, and hazards all checked out okay.
> I went out and bought a new brake light switch, but that didn't fix the
> problem. As it turns out, both the old and new switches work when I
> squeeze them with pliers. However, neither works when installed. If
> we bypassed the brake switch altogether, the lights came on. While I
> was at it, I checked the wiring and it all checked out okay.
>
> I believe it's a mechanical problem, not an electrical one. After a
> lot of frustration, I finally figured out that the lights will come on
> if I move the switch around on the rod coming out of the power brake
> booster. Thinking that the rod that connects the power brake booster to
> the brake pedal might have worn, I replaced the booster, but that
> didn't fix the problem either.
>
> It certainly seems like it's a mechanical connection problem, but I
> don't know where the problem is. As far as I know I've put everything
> back together correctly. I've had it by the dealer and they only came
> up with the same things I already figured out.
>
> I know I could simply install a universal switch, but I'd like to get
> it working properly.
>
> Thanks for your help!
> Steve

Re: Brake trouble
 

Yeah, the switch works. Just not when installed. 87-90 use one type
of switch. 91-?? use an entirely different set up.

Re: Brake trouble
 

Yeah, the switch works. Just not when installed. 87-90 use one type
of switch. 91-?? use an entirely different set up.

Re: Brake trouble
 

Yeah, the switch works. Just not when installed. 87-90 use one type
of switch. 91-?? use an entirely different set up.