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Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150
#514154 November 22nd 2011 2:27 pm
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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.


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Re: Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150
Reed #514158 November 22nd 2011 2:42 pm
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WOW,I had that happen and just replaced the switch and that fixed it


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Re: Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150
Reed #514160 November 22nd 2011 2:46 pm
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I have tried two different switches, one from a van that didn't have the delayed light problem, and the problem remains. I wonder if the trailer brake system somehow is interfering with the brake light switch activating.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150
Reed #514164 November 22nd 2011 3:09 pm
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Could be buddy


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
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Re: Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150
Reed #514172 November 22nd 2011 3:31 pm
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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.


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Re: Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150
Reed #514264 November 22nd 2011 8:51 pm
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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.


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Re: Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150
Reed #514266 November 22nd 2011 8:55 pm
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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.


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Re: Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150
Reed #561710 May 11th 2012 6:38 pm
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I thought it was just me. lol

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.



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Re: Delayed brake light activation - 89 E-150
Reed #561714 May 11th 2012 6:43 pm
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yeah Did you get it fixed


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
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