Angus Posted March 22, 2018 Report Share Posted March 22, 2018 Hi, I am rebuilding a 1967 TR4A IRS which came to me as a failed project so I have never seen it complete. I am asking if anyone can tell me what type of brake light switch was originally fitted to my car, and where it was positioned? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
david c Posted March 22, 2018 Report Share Posted March 22, 2018 (edited) Hello Angus I broke my "original" brake light switch at the beginning of the year, and asked the same question on the forum, general consensus of opinion was to fit a BMW switch cost less than a tenner on EBay and looks like it will last a lifetime. Simple fit goes straight in to the hole at the front of the brake master cylinder, you may have to bend the metalwork a little to get it to fit centrally it's simply set open / on by the brake actuating leaver David Edited March 22, 2018 by david c Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Angus Posted March 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2018 Thank you David, Was your original switch a hydraulic pressure actuated switch, or a mechanically actuated switch moved by the brake pedal or some lever ? Angus Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted March 22, 2018 Report Share Posted March 22, 2018 Its a micro switch operated by the top of the brake pedal arm, Original was white plastic, repros aren't up to much at all, - hence using the metal BMW one that fits the same bracket. John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted March 22, 2018 Report Share Posted March 22, 2018 Hi John, the original had what looked like a cast Ali/zinc body. But as you say the white plastic ones are utter rubbish and more expensive than the quality BMW sitch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grahamgl Posted March 23, 2018 Report Share Posted March 23, 2018 I think the TR4s had the hydraulic switch and the 4A had the mechanical switch. +1 for the BMW switch and I shall be fitting one to my 4 at the appropriate time in its restoration. Graham Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted March 23, 2018 Report Share Posted March 23, 2018 (edited) . Edited April 20, 2018 by Fireman049 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted March 23, 2018 Report Share Posted March 23, 2018 My late '62 TR4 has always had a Electric micro switch? john. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted March 23, 2018 Report Share Posted March 23, 2018 Hi Angus ~ Here's the BMW brake light switch which i fitted to mt 3A. This cost less than a fiver on E Bay. Tom. IMG_1435 - Copy.JPG And here's mine ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie D Posted March 23, 2018 Report Share Posted March 23, 2018 Hello, Looking at the picture of Tom's switch, he has it screwed with no threads showing at the pedal side. Looking at the photo of Bob's switch, he has about 1/3 inch of thread showing. I've fitted a switch recently and not too sure how the pedal should hang. (Not going to be on the road for several months yet.) Obviously, the more the "Switch push end" of the pedal is from the switch, the close the pedal "Foot end" is to the bulkhead. A small amount of gap at the top must equate to quite a difference at the foot end. Does this matter? Charlie D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted March 23, 2018 Report Share Posted March 23, 2018 (edited) . Edited April 20, 2018 by Fireman049 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted March 23, 2018 Report Share Posted March 23, 2018 Also the hole in the pedal arm/clevis pin is subject to being 'Ovalised' in use, and that will be different car to car. Incidentaly a really easy fix, just weld up with a MIG and redrill. John, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted March 23, 2018 Report Share Posted March 23, 2018 (edited) My cylinders have adjustable push rods, & are set such that the top of the pedal is not resting on the switch, it is in it's natural rest position. The switch was adjusted up to it so that it just switches off (plus a bit). Looking at Tom's push rods they are at maximum length. Bob. Edited March 23, 2018 by Lebro Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Angus Posted March 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2018 (edited) Many thanks for all the advice. Especially for the pictures. The body on my TR4A is off and has no parts on it, certainly no brake pedal. I am working on the chassis having fitted front and rear suspension and brakes. It is now time for the brake pipes, hence my question on the type of stop switch and now I won't worry about where the switch fits in the hydraulics. It fits on the pedal! Angus Edited March 23, 2018 by Angus Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark & Sarah Posted March 29, 2018 Report Share Posted March 29, 2018 all this talk of brake light switches has caused mine to fail on our early tr4 it a pressure switch in the brake pipe circiut. others on other threads have converted to the later type operating by the master cylinder . my queston is are both the same methot of oprtation (Press to make circiut) and is just a simple extension of wires from the bowels of the engine up to the new switch on the master cyl? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted March 29, 2018 Report Share Posted March 29, 2018 Actually the 4A type is release to make but yes, you simply extend the wires to the new switch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark & Sarah Posted March 29, 2018 Report Share Posted March 29, 2018 thanks Peejay. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ron88 Posted March 29, 2018 Report Share Posted March 29, 2018 Think about LED lights for the brakes; I did the BMW switch and the LED's at the same time and pleased with both. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR4A1965 Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 I am llate to this but pictures are attached of my brake light switch which I think is the original one from the factory - yes still working!!!! I think Rimmers offer a TR6 White plastic one as an alternative but I hear the quality is shocking!!!! Beaulieu is only a few weeks away. You'll find an original one there but be prepared to spend hours looking. I have detailed pictures of the switch here: http://tr4a.weebly.com/master-cylinders--brake-switch.html Best wishes. Paul. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark & Sarah Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 thanks both . "bmw" switch off ebay arrived this morning so will tinker over the weekend and fit. thanks for all the advice and pics. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 Just to add a bit of background info. I used the standard pressure brake light switch on my TR4 after rebuild. That was a few years ago (8-10). I found that there was a faulty batch of pressure-actuated switches - this showed up on the MOT when an INORDINATE amount of pressure was required to actuate the brake lights. I fitted a new pressure-activated switch about 3-4 years ago and now, all is well. AlanR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drewmotty Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 (edited) Heres an install on a TR4 with a nice bolt on stainless bracket: http://www.tr-register.co.uk/group/devon/social-report/2016/12/0590/In-the-Garage-Christmas-Edition ....and here is the more involved TR3 install: http://www.tr-register.co.uk/group/devon/social-report/2017/10/0855/In-the-Garage-Autumn-Edition Edited March 30, 2018 by Drewmotty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 (edited) Thanks to all,this thread gave me the idea to look for a BMW brake light switch of the E114 E10 models and kick out that white plastic something of my TR4A.I am very lucky that I was able to buy an original one for little money. I'm shure that will look like it was original this way.Ciao Marco Edited June 3, 2018 by Z320 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JJC Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Does anyone know the BMW part number for the switch? JJC Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted April 18, 2018 Report Share Posted April 18, 2018 Hi JJC, haven't got the BMW number but here it is on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brake-Light-Switch-Fits-BMW-3-Series-E30-E21-Volvo-240-940-850-760-740-240/292326189243?fits=Car+Make%3ABMW&hash=item440fffa8bb:g:sWEAAOSw1QpaBpSZ Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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