[DeTomaso] Brake Switch Frustration

Garth Rodericks garth_rodericks at yahoo.com
Wed Apr 22 14:23:22 EDT 2009


I put all this info on a page in the technical section of my website, but my host server won't let me upload it at the moment.  It will be online soon.

Cheers!
Garth

--- On Wed, 4/22/09, John Taphorn <jtaphorn at kingwoodcable.com> wrote:
From: John Taphorn <jtaphorn at kingwoodcable.com>
Subject: Re: Brake Switch Frustration
To: garth_rodericks at yahoo.com, detomaso at realbig.com
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 11:16 AM



 
Allright Garth!  Thanks for the consolidation 
of the data.  This e-mail with your and Chris Defani's pics, that were sent 
to me separately, belong on the POCA website in the tech section.  Very 
helpful, 
 
Thanks Guys
 
JT

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: 
  Garth Rodericks 
  To: John Taphorn ; detomaso at realbig.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 12:41 
  PM
  Subject: Brake Switch Frustration
  

  
    
    
      
        
        Hi 
        John,

Since everyone's been so busy pontificating the merits of 
        the pressure actuated brake switch rather than answering your question, 
        I thought I'd give it a go...


Stock 
        Replacement
-----------------
I have a catalog from Graham Pantera 
        (Graham tool company) selling the stock part for $24.95 (part# 
        01321A)


VW Brake Light Switch from NAPA #SL147 -- Not 
        Recommended (read 
        below)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.napaonline.com/NOLPPSE/(S(5nsx4dqcivjwti45vz01vu55))/Results.aspx?Ntt=SL147&Ntk=Part%20Number&N=0&Nty=1&D=SL147&Dn=0&Dk=1&Dp=3
It's 
        a perfect fit and has the right connectors 
        according to Steve Hawkins:
http://realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2003-September/032526.html
 
HOWEVER...  
        Others have found that it's NOT an exact fit...
Ian Hannington found 
        that 
        #yiv174872154 #yiv363536980 #yiv65676783 #yiv65676783 P.MsoNormal {
FONT-SIZE:10pt;MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;}
#yiv174872154 #yiv363536980 #yiv65676783 LI.MsoNormal {
FONT-SIZE:10pt;MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;}
#yiv174872154 #yiv363536980 #yiv65676783 DIV.MsoNormal {
FONT-SIZE:10pt;MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;}
#yiv174872154 UNKNOWN {
MARGIN:1in;}
#yiv174872154 #yiv363536980 #yiv65676783 DIV.Section1 {

}

        the stock switch has a 1/4'' pipe thread while part #SL147 has an 1/8'' 
        tube thread.
        http://realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2004-October/047733.html
Jack 
        DeRyke confirms and points out that the connectors are different 
        too:
http://realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2004-October/047740.html
  
        
GM Brake Light Switch
---------------------
Jack DeRyke 
        reports that 
        


        adapting an '82-up GM style mechanical 
        brake light switch to the Pantera brake pedal is not difficult, saves 
        considerable money and forever fixes the brake switch 
        problems.
http://realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2004-September/047653.html
http://realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2006-May/073073.html


GM 
        Brake Light Switch
---------------------
Forest Goodhart used a 
        switch from any mid 80's Chevy without cruise control and found it to be 
        very quick and easy.
http://realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2006-May/073106.html

1. 
        He used a piece of flat bar about 1"x3/16"x2"-3" long. 
2. Drilled a 
        hole near one end that the switch would slip through and a hole near the 
        other end that fits the shaft size of the stop that the brake pedal hits 
        under the dash. 
3. Unscrewed the stop, inserted the bar, replaced 
        the stop and adjusted the switch so that the pedal just pushes it enough 
        to turn off when the brake pedal is released.
4. Then intercepted the 
        wires going to the original switch and connected them to the new switch. 
        
He reports that it was easier than it sounds.


Generic 
        Plunger Switch from a CNC Milling 
        Machine
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris 
        Difani used a limit switch for a CNC milling machine. It's 
        stainless steel, and is designed for severe usage within a machine tool 
        environment. It's got a spring loaded plunger set in 
        a stainless steel case and is designed to work in more than one plane. 
        Check with Chris to see where he ordered it (he gave me one as a 
        matter of fact because he had extras).
http://realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2006-May/073056.html

--> 
        I added Chris' info and pictures to a page on my website, but for some 
        reason I cannot publish it at the moment. I'll forward the pics to you 
        directly.







      


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