Can't get brake light switch back on! Anybody help quick!

[Freshmo55]

I am at work and am trying to switch out my brake light switch... i got the old one off but can't get the new one on. it seems like the rod that it is supposed to slide onto is smaller than what the switch will fit. i have the correct switch though cause it is exactly the same as the old one that came off.

can anyone help!? i am at work and don't want to be stranded here. help please!

thanks.

 

[410Fortune]

ITS A little tricky but not that bad!

There is a plastic bushing that goes in there over the brake pedal rod...you have to put the plastic bushing (collar) inside the brake switch, then get it on there.....

You really need to look at the old one before you take it apart and see how it comes apart. I know too late for that....

I dont know how else to explain it but it will go back on it you do it right......

 

[Freshmo55]

I would have definitely looked at the old one, but when i pulled it off the bushing came flying out.

does the bushing go inside the new switch with part of it sticking out so that it then slides underneath the other rod attached to the brake arm?

thanks for your help so far.
i guess i'll keep fighting this in the dark. i am determined to get it on!

any other help or description would be great!

 

[410Fortune]

SOunds right, it can only go 1 way

You need a flahslight for sure!

Get a flahslight, move the seat all the way back and get your head under there. I have been known to lay upside down on my drivers seat to work under there, but then again in the last 7 years I have done ALOT of work under there.......

 

[Freshmo55]

Another quick question if you can help...

If i can't get this switch back on or it breaks or something can i drive my explorer home/to a shop without the brake switch on?

Like, just put the pin back in and drive without break lights to a shop??

 

[410Fortune]

Sure you can! Your brake lights wont work, but thats it...

Oh and your cruise control wont work, but if you need to get it to a place where you can look closer, just turn on the hazzards and go........dont get pulled over!!!

 

[Freshmo55]

Sorry i am so dumb with this stuff. I am young and trying to learn how to do things myself.

So my brakes won't go out or anything if that is not on there? the two rods will stay together fine with just the pin in there?

thanks so much for your help 410fortune. i really, really appreciate it.

 

[410Fortune]

You should be okay,

However you should put the pin back in with the red cotter pin back through the pedal! just dont mount the switch...

Holey moley we dont want the brake pedal coming out while you are driving!

Sorry I dont have time to go look at my truck right now so I am trying to help you from memory.......

Oh and heck I knew absoultely nothing about Ford trucks 7 years ago ( i was 23) and now I know just about everything there is to know about these vehicles, so dotn sweat it. 1/2 my knowledge came from doing, the other 1/2 from these forums.......

 

[Freshmo55]

help!

i still can't get it back on.

i put the pin in to try to at least get it home and it won't let me get it out of park.

can anyone help. i just can't seem to get the switch back on the brake arm. it just doesn't seem like the rod is long enough for the switch to fit on.

is there a trick to this?

 

[Freshmo55]

Still haven't gotten it back on...

Does anyone have a picture of how the bushing is to sit in the switch before going on?

I just don't understand why i can't get it on. i don't want to have to tow it.

Anyone else that can help and stupid explorer owner?

 

[410Fortune]

oh man you are kidding!!!

to get it out of park, hook up the switch and activate it, then you can at least drive it to somewhere......

Have you gotten under there with a flashlight yet?

I think you are going from the wrong side of the pedal if its still too short

 

[Freshmo55]

with a little help from my boss i got it on!

thank god... now i can get it out of park and i have brake lights again!

thanks for your help 410fortune!

appreciate it!