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. |
Re: Brake trouble
Well, like I said, it's not an electrical problem. It's not the
switch. The switch works. Just not when installed. 87-90 use one type of switch that isn't adjustable. 91-?? use an entirely different set up. It's something mechanical in the way the switch is installed or the components themselves. |
Re: Brake trouble
Well, like I said, it's not an electrical problem. It's not the
switch. The switch works. Just not when installed. 87-90 use one type of switch that isn't adjustable. 91-?? use an entirely different set up. It's something mechanical in the way the switch is installed or the components themselves. |
Re: Brake trouble
Well, like I said, it's not an electrical problem. It's not the
switch. The switch works. Just not when installed. 87-90 use one type of switch that isn't adjustable. 91-?? use an entirely different set up. It's something mechanical in the way the switch is installed or the components themselves. |
Re: Brake trouble
My next guess is the obvious one. Wrong switch. Could be the wrong
switch in the right box too. Maybe try an 86 CJ7 switch? That for sure is the adjustable type. I was under the impression that the first generation YJ's had mostly CJ parts. The broken wire at the clip can be sneaky. The insulation can still be good and it can still conduct when hanging free, but put it in place with a bend and no contact. I just had that happen on my heater switch. I got burned for my troubles on that one, there was no mistake about the break inside 'that' wire, it was smokin'. 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: > > Well, like I said, it's not an electrical problem. It's not the > switch. The switch works. Just not when installed. 87-90 use one > type of switch that isn't adjustable. 91-?? use an entirely different > set up. It's something mechanical in the way the switch is installed > or the components themselves. |
Re: Brake trouble
My next guess is the obvious one. Wrong switch. Could be the wrong
switch in the right box too. Maybe try an 86 CJ7 switch? That for sure is the adjustable type. I was under the impression that the first generation YJ's had mostly CJ parts. The broken wire at the clip can be sneaky. The insulation can still be good and it can still conduct when hanging free, but put it in place with a bend and no contact. I just had that happen on my heater switch. I got burned for my troubles on that one, there was no mistake about the break inside 'that' wire, it was smokin'. 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: > > Well, like I said, it's not an electrical problem. It's not the > switch. The switch works. Just not when installed. 87-90 use one > type of switch that isn't adjustable. 91-?? use an entirely different > set up. It's something mechanical in the way the switch is installed > or the components themselves. |
Re: Brake trouble
My next guess is the obvious one. Wrong switch. Could be the wrong
switch in the right box too. Maybe try an 86 CJ7 switch? That for sure is the adjustable type. I was under the impression that the first generation YJ's had mostly CJ parts. The broken wire at the clip can be sneaky. The insulation can still be good and it can still conduct when hanging free, but put it in place with a bend and no contact. I just had that happen on my heater switch. I got burned for my troubles on that one, there was no mistake about the break inside 'that' wire, it was smokin'. 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: > > Well, like I said, it's not an electrical problem. It's not the > switch. The switch works. Just not when installed. 87-90 use one > type of switch that isn't adjustable. 91-?? use an entirely different > set up. It's something mechanical in the way the switch is installed > or the components themselves. |
Re: Brake trouble
Um...even the old switch works. I don't see how it could be a switch
problem. It doesn't seem like an electrical problem. Seems it's the mounting. |
Re: Brake trouble
Um...even the old switch works. I don't see how it could be a switch
problem. It doesn't seem like an electrical problem. Seems it's the mounting. |
Re: Brake trouble
Um...even the old switch works. I don't see how it could be a switch
problem. It doesn't seem like an electrical problem. Seems it's the mounting. |
Re: Brake trouble
Could the mounting plate have broken or the threads have disappeared?
Jeeps get rust in the strangest places under the dash.... 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! Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590 (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page) motorrad wrote: > > Um...even the old switch works. I don't see how it could be a switch > problem. It doesn't seem like an electrical problem. Seems it's the > mounting. |
Re: Brake trouble
Could the mounting plate have broken or the threads have disappeared?
Jeeps get rust in the strangest places under the dash.... 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! Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590 (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page) motorrad wrote: > > Um...even the old switch works. I don't see how it could be a switch > problem. It doesn't seem like an electrical problem. Seems it's the > mounting. |
Re: Brake trouble
Could the mounting plate have broken or the threads have disappeared?
Jeeps get rust in the strangest places under the dash.... 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! Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590 (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page) motorrad wrote: > > Um...even the old switch works. I don't see how it could be a switch > problem. It doesn't seem like an electrical problem. Seems it's the > mounting. |
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