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Bad Brake Light Switch?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by blown240, Mar 19, 2011.

  1. blown240
    Joined: Aug 2, 2005
    Posts: 1,814

    blown240
    Member
    from So-cal

    Is it possible for a brakelight switch to blow fuses? On my buddies 50 Shoebox if I jump the 2 brakelight switch wires together with a piece of wire, the lights work fine. But if they are plugged into the switch and you hit the brakes, the fuse blows.

    To me that says bad switch, but I have never seen one. If it matters, he is using a dome light switch from a Volvo 240 as his brake light switch.

    Thoughts? Also, it seems like brake lights should be on a 20 amp fuse. He is running a 15 even though its all 12-14 gauge wire.
     
  2. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,941

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Sounds like the switch is shorting out inside. I well understand the use what ya got theory but I think I'd install a brake light switch designed to work with brake lights.
    The door switches are designed to work a couple of times a day when you get in and out while the brake light switches are designed to work on a regular on and off basis.
     
  3. blown240
    Joined: Aug 2, 2005
    Posts: 1,814

    blown240
    Member
    from So-cal

    Thanks. I went and got a brake light switch for it. The guy at the part store had a good point that I never thought about. Alot of door jam switches, even the ones with 2 pins, are grounding switches. That would explain the blown fuses.
     

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