Recently finished deleting my ABS and LSPV on the cruiser. Replaced the Brake Vacuum Booster and Master Cylinder while I was at it.
When finished....I noticed that my brake lights (at rear of vehicle) were on (key off). Well....that's not good I said to myself.
I pumped the brake pedal a couple of times thinking maybe the brake light switch was stuck. No change.
Disconnected the battery so it wouldn't be drained. I snaked my arm up under the dash and manually pressed the plunger on the brake light switch, it felt fine.
I knew the brake pedal adjustment was correct and the booster rod adjustment correct.....so what could it be?
Then I noticed what looked like small pieces of hard plastic on the floor board. Hmmmm....?
Got a flashlight and wedged myself between the seat and firewall so I could see up under the dash. Not a comfortable position for an Old Man, but I spotted the trouble. There is (or is supposed to be) a small rubber cushion between the brake lever and the brake light switch plunger. It's only about a 1/4" thick but it needs to be there.
The brake light switch is a 'Normally Open' switch. The brake pedal return spring pulls the brake pedal lever back against the plunger on the brake light switch and this keeps the contacts open (no brake lights). When you depress the brake pedal by even 3/8" the plunger comes forward, the contacts inside the switch mate and complete the circuit (you now have brake lights).
Since it is a 'constant hot' circuit....(even with key off) if you don't notice your brake lights are on....expect to have a dead battery at some point.
A $2.00 part kept me from enjoying my Land Cruiser for 3 days while waiting on the part.
Yes, I could have adjusted the brake light switch out a bit, but then I would have had to do it all again once the cushion was installed, but moreover.....I hate working under the dash for any reason.
First because I'm old (68) and something less than flexible. Second...I don't fit well in that space. I'm 6'-5" and 260 lbs. and that combination does not lend itself to under the dash work.
Anyway, got it done. Just glad I saw the brake lights on. If I hadn't....I wouldn't have had no clue why my battery was dead the next day. Probably gone down a few rabbit holes trying to sort that out.
When finished....I noticed that my brake lights (at rear of vehicle) were on (key off). Well....that's not good I said to myself.
I pumped the brake pedal a couple of times thinking maybe the brake light switch was stuck. No change.
Disconnected the battery so it wouldn't be drained. I snaked my arm up under the dash and manually pressed the plunger on the brake light switch, it felt fine.
I knew the brake pedal adjustment was correct and the booster rod adjustment correct.....so what could it be?
Then I noticed what looked like small pieces of hard plastic on the floor board. Hmmmm....?
Got a flashlight and wedged myself between the seat and firewall so I could see up under the dash. Not a comfortable position for an Old Man, but I spotted the trouble. There is (or is supposed to be) a small rubber cushion between the brake lever and the brake light switch plunger. It's only about a 1/4" thick but it needs to be there.
The brake light switch is a 'Normally Open' switch. The brake pedal return spring pulls the brake pedal lever back against the plunger on the brake light switch and this keeps the contacts open (no brake lights). When you depress the brake pedal by even 3/8" the plunger comes forward, the contacts inside the switch mate and complete the circuit (you now have brake lights).
Since it is a 'constant hot' circuit....(even with key off) if you don't notice your brake lights are on....expect to have a dead battery at some point.
A $2.00 part kept me from enjoying my Land Cruiser for 3 days while waiting on the part.
Yes, I could have adjusted the brake light switch out a bit, but then I would have had to do it all again once the cushion was installed, but moreover.....I hate working under the dash for any reason.
First because I'm old (68) and something less than flexible. Second...I don't fit well in that space. I'm 6'-5" and 260 lbs. and that combination does not lend itself to under the dash work.
Anyway, got it done. Just glad I saw the brake lights on. If I hadn't....I wouldn't have had no clue why my battery was dead the next day. Probably gone down a few rabbit holes trying to sort that out.
