With your free hand, turn the brake switch about 30 degrees counterclockwise

 

**sigh** My brain hurts.

The instructions you posted say CW, and you are saying CCW.

Chilton says CW as well, but we know how I feel about Chilton.

Here are some pictures I took, that may help clarify things - at least I hope so.

In this picture, you can see the notch I am talking about:


This is the new one, ready to insert and twist (note the tab to fit the notch on the mounting hole):


Here's another view of the new one:


Here's the old one:




I guess I should just shove it in, and turn it CCW - it's all that's left, as far as I can tell. I suppose I can go get another, if I have to.

BTW, I was invited to a tea party by a very
eccentric man in a very large, and very odd hat.

He said his friends the cat and the rabbit, and some
blonde chick are all coming over for a gathering.

I think I will go.

Would you advise top coat and tails, or just a sports jacket?

~ Blank Stare

 

I would have to crawl under dash to look. Can't tell too much.

Instructions I posted said counterclockwise. I cut and pasted in the second post.....

I have not changed this out, only found instructions. Wish I could be more help.

 

No worries - and I do appreciate all the help.

I am going to give it a whirl after the tea party

~ Blank Stare

 

I think I need more tea.

I can get the switch in position if I lay on the floor, and (with my shoulder) put all my weight on the brake pedal.

But I just can't get the bugger to turn, in either direction.

I guess I need smaller hands, or something. I can barely grip it on more than one side, to attempt the twist.

I don't think I have ever experienced a part more difficult to REMOVE, than this one is to install, and I have never experienced an automotive part even half this challenging to install.

Back with an update, when I have something noteworthy. In the meantime, I won't pester you guys - I know there's a million other posts from people that need your help.

There's a cigar party at the catepiller's place this afternoon. I'm looking forward to some stress relief...

~ Blank Stare

 

Grab a helper, have them step on the brake, while you fiddle with the switch.

 

No helper available...

BUT...

Here's the answer to the install problem:

In the very earliest stages of trying to mount the switch, I must have given the black twistable part of the switch a 30 degree turn, leaving it in the locked, installed position.

When I took gdstock's suggestion, and turned it CCW, it clicked, but would not stay in the bracket. Assuming I had broken the switch, I decided to futz with it, to see what I could learn.

Then I held it side by side with the old switch. The black plastic parts were no longer both in the same positions, relative to each other.

So I climbed back under, and shoved it in hard, and gave it a CW twist. It did not make any discernible sound, but it did stay mounted. Also, where the brake lights are always on, until the brake switch is correctly mounted, the brake lights are no longer staying on.

Now, all I need is that aforementioned helper, to make sure they work when the pedal is depressed. (If not, I'll get IT some Prosac.) If it all checks out, I get to reassemble my dash, along with copper tubing, regulator, pressure gauges, on/off/manual over ride power switches...WHEEEE...

I am going to go ahead and declare victory, with a huge hand to everyone that helped steer me to success. I couldn't afford to hire a wrench, and there's no way I would have even found the problem, without your gentle guidance.

All I wish was that I had checked the right fuse, in the very beginning. A three minute fix would have sure beat this 6-day odyssey.

Now, if I can just find my way back to that rabbit hole...

~ Blank Stare

 

Glad ya got it fixed.

Say Hi to Alice for me.

 

Progress is always good. But it is not always fast nor is it always easy!