Detailed instructions on how to replace brake light switch

ETERNITY0347

MEMBER
1996 FORD EXPLORER
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
12,470 MILES

Please give me detailed instructions on how to replace brake light switch. My husband pulled it down and the light comes on and my car will go in gear when I first start it and once I use the brakes once the light goes out and each time I start the car I have to pull the switch down to start it. SO my guess is it is not installed properly. Could you please tell me how to install and is the switch suppose to go straight up and down or forward?

eternity0347

1 Reply

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

REMOVAL:
Lift the locking tab on the switch connector and disconnect the wiring.
Remove the hairpin retainer, slide the stoplamp switch, pushrod and nylon washer off of the pedal. Remove the washer, then the switch by sliding it up or down.
On some vehicles equipped with speed control, the spacer washer is replaced by the dump valve adapter washer.

Fig. 1: Stoplight switch mounting

INSTALLATION:
Position it so that the U-shaped side is nearest the pedal and directly over/under the pin.
Slide the switch up or down, trapping the master cylinder pushrod and bushing between the switch side plates.
Push the switch and pushrod assembly firmly towards the brake pedal arm. Assemble the outside white plastic washer to the pin and install the hairpin retainer.
Don't substitute any other type of retainer. Use only the Ford specified hairpin retainer.

Assemble the connector on the switch.
Check stoplamp operation.
Make sure that the stoplamp switch wiring has sufficient travel during a full pedal stroke.