kryzak260

Hi Guys,

Ive got an EL Futura Sapphire here that seems to have a healthy appetite for brake light switches. Since new, the switch has been replaces 3 or 4 times, and i noticed the other day in a window reflection that my lights dont come on until the brake pedal is nearly at the floor.

I know it is the switch, because cruse control doesnt dis-engage when the brakes are pressed until they are close to the foor (as observed the last few times the switch had failed, but it never dis-engaged because the switches had completelly failed).

Has anyone had this problem before? Is there a fix or an aftermarket, stronger switch availible?

Thanks for any help guys...

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'98 EL Futura Sapphire 4.0L I6 - Alpine CDA-9815 HU - Nothing else yet

mongrelEB

Who replaced the switch? Certainly I don't believe it's the switch itself; I have several friends with ELs which are yet to do this...
Perhaps it's a wiring fault, feeding too much current to it, though I'm pretty sure it gets 12v anyway. Is the bracket with the switch on lined up right?

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Pacemaker headers + 2.5" exhaust
EF Fairmont interior
MP3 player
Lowered King springs
5 speed manual
EF motor

Newest mod: EF Ghia wiring loom and dash

kryzak260

Ford replaced the switch the first two times and i did it the last time.

I dont think it is a wiring fault, because it looks like one of the plates on the switch is bending. My dad put a washer in between the plate and the switch actuator to compensate for the bent plate, which i will install today and test tonight.

Im not to sure about the bracket being lined up properly, but i think it is because it works for a few months before failing. I think it is the bent plate, so if this washer trick works, i will look for an aftermarket switch with a stronger plate, or i will get a plate made out of stainless or something...

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'98 EL Futura Sapphire 4.0L I6 - Alpine CDA-9815 HU - Nothing else yet

Stevo

Replaced the switch twice on the ef now... Its the switch under the brake pedal right..
vary from 20 bucks to 50 bucks from ford..
Im not sure if there is anythign better out there to replace it with, im sure there probably is.. Have u checked the warranty for the part, to see if u can have it replaced??
i have seen ppl mount it wrong, with dodgy split pins, and it in turn, fails in the not to far future..

XR8 Lamah

I'd say the switch adjustment is out, the brake lights should be on almost as soon as you touch the pedal... If it is radically out of alignment/adjustment, potentially you could be damaging the switch, causing the premature failure . . .

kryzak260

Yeah, its the switch under the pedal.

I havent checked the warrenty for it, because i wasnt aware there was one on parts (consumables in this case? )...

I havent mounted it wrong, because i followed the procedure outlined in the ford factory service manuals for the car, using the original split pins and everything.

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'98 EL Futura Sapphire 4.0L I6 - Alpine CDA-9815 HU - Nothing else yet

Stevo

yeah i wasnt sure if the part had a warranty or not. I would say it wouldnt.. but yeah, ive never asked b4.

well if it is fitted correctly, the only other thing *could* be alignment, .. as i said b4, ive had mine replaced twice, before noticing it was done dodgy.. after replacing with the right split pins, its hasnt failed yet.
*touch wood*