Technical Model A brake switch

Getting my 30 Model A coupe ready for rego and have discovered I dont have brake lights. Its a pretty stock car. Im getting 12v to the switch (its a 12v car). Am I correct in ***uming I should have 12v on the 2nd terminal when the brake pedal is pushed?



In the taillight housing is the upper bulb holder the brake light as lower is currently the running lights?

Thanks as always fellas.

 

if it were mine id pull the swt and ck for continuity between terminals
good luck

 

Yes, two wires on switch should connect when pedal closes switch.
You may have to dis***emble switch and clean the contacts.

 

Cheers fellas. Anything special I need to know about removing the switch?

 

Disconnect the battery so you don’t short the hot wire.

 

I'm still not sure how it hooks up on a Model A but this video may well be worth spending about three minutes of your time watching. 1929 Model A Ford Brake Light Switch Repair - YouTube
For the rest of us it is an interesting tid bit of information on a very simple switch.

 

Ah guessing its not meant to look like this

Looks like I will need to try and source a new switch.

 

That one don't look so hot...well, depending on how you think about it...maybe too hot ! anyway, the originals are better than the repops if you can find one

 

Pete, non hydraulic m/cycle rear brake switches are a great candidate if ya don’t care about original, robust design for the outdoors

 

some of the local guys use harley brake light switches... they hold up better than the parts store repops...

 

Should be all kinds of motorcycle switches in Japan.

 

The Model A brake light switch is as simple as it gets, all you are doing is completing the circuit to the tail light. It's easy to repair and most off shore switches are junk. Bert's Model A Center, 800-321-1931 does have U.S.A. made switches PN A-13480-BU for $44.50.

 

Is this the correct one?
https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A13480B.html

 

I agree the Berts one made here in the US is better for sure.

 

Thanks all. Have searched Japan for one without luck. If I get stuck will go with a moto one but am hoping to go with an original style switch in keeping with the how original the car is. Good to learn the more expensive ones are the way to go.

 

How about get a piece of br*** and make a new part to replace the one thats broke?

 

Use some screws, washers and pieces of a plastic milk jug to fix it. All it needs to do is make contact at the studs and not the housing.