Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150 | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | OP Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | Ever since I bought it the brake lights on my 89 E-150 have had a problem where tey only turn on when the brake pedal is about 1/2 inch away from the bottom of the pedal travel. The van has a trailer brake kit on it and there is an LED on the under-dash control that lights up when the brake lights turn on (I have checked it by backing up to my house and watching the reflection of the lights in my mirrors).
tHe brakes themselves work fine, it is just the lights don't turn on. Most of the time I use the brakes the brake lights don't turn on, which makes me worried. I could get rear-ended or a cop could hassle me.
I have replaced the brake switch and the problem remains.
Is anyone aware of a way to adjust the activation point of the brake light switch on an 89 Ford van? I can't see any.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150 | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 18,213 Likes: 2 Supreme Master | Supreme Master Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 18,213 Likes: 2 | WOW,I had that happen and just replaced the switch and that fixed it
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Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150 | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 18,213 Likes: 2 Supreme Master | Supreme Master Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 18,213 Likes: 2 |
Everyday above ground is a Good Day!!! Never Stop Vannin'
Member of Break Away Vanners Host of Spring Break At Shenandoah Acres Family Campground
Owner & Creator of Wizard's Van-In Videos Member of Riding High Truckers from 1982 to 1996 2nd Member of The Toopa Sinner Tribe Member of Free Bird Vanners 1996 to Present Member of Cape Atlantic Truckers South Jersey Host Club of Freeze Out Certified Nats Judge Member of Shenandoah Valley Vans | | | Re: Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150 | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | OP Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | The weird thing is the lights turn on, but only when the pedal reaches the bottom of the pedal travel. So, most of the time I use my brakes my brake lights don't come on. The switches work, but the is something delaying the actual movement of the plunger on the switch so the lights don't come on.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150 | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 28,125 Madman! | Madman! Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 28,125 | Dude! You have some of the oddest problems. I unfortunately had the same issue with my 86 Ford Centurian. There is a way to adjust the stop light switch, but even more unfortunately I can't remember how. I know I laid on the floor of the van looking at the switch for a while before I figured it out. I do remember tho that if that plastic sleeve is not installed right or is worn out they don't work properly. | | | Re: Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150 | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | OP Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | Tell me about it. I think a worn out sleeve could be the culprit. The sleeves on the door latches were worn out when I got it, the driver's door power window motor already croaked and the passenger window motor is on the way out, and the windshield wiper motor is also going out. I think this van was VERY well used before I bought it.
I will take a close look at my shop manual and then crawl under the dash. I am keeping my fingers crossed I can figure out a way to adjust the switch, but I might need to look into a new sleeve.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150 | Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 18,522 Likes: 135 Supreme Master | Supreme Master Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 18,522 Likes: 135 | I thought it was just me. How did you make out with this situation? My 1990 E150 has the same problem,but my lights come on 1/4 way down.Its been like that since I have owned it and I also have trailer brakes. Arianrhod:2003 Chevy Astro Black Magic: 1985 Dodge B-250 Serenity:1985 Chevy G-20 The Outcast:1983 Ford club wagon Luna 1974 VW bay window transporter Freedom:1990 Ford E-150(parts van) Outcast Vanners van club Support your local 2% | | | Re: Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150 | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 18,213 Likes: 2 Supreme Master | Supreme Master Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 18,213 Likes: 2 | Did you get it fixed
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