Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing 2005 +4 braking lights

Hi all. At Shelsley yesterday and gentleman behind me said my braking lights were not working. Checked with Mrs M watching and she said they were ok? Checked this morning in garage (the garage door gives better response than Mrs M!!) and found that medium to light pressure gave no lights but harder pressure activated them. Is there a pressure sensitive switch and where is it located? Can it be cleaned, lubricated or better to be changed? Any ideas gratefully received.
Off to Shelsley now, so will remember to 'brake late but brake hard' lol.

Hi Bob, I'm new to Morgans having recently purchased a 2005 Plus 4. I have exactly the same problem, in my case I was told (not too politely!) by a biker whilst we were on a run out to Hawes in the Yorshire Dales. If your car is the same as mine, you will find the brake light switch operates on brake fluid pressure and is located inside the engine bay on the drivers side, by the chassis rail near the front of the engine. In my case the supplying dealer has agreed to replace it (as a warranty repair) noting that "The brake switches do fail like that..." It should be a straight forward job to exchange the switch, but the brake system will need bleeding afterwards to clear any air that may get into the brake pipes.

My mk1 Roadster (2005) was the same, but the new Roadster is fine. Perhaps they've changed the switch
Ian

Maybe you should remind said biker not to ride on your tail?

Graham, you have more chance of walking on water than that happening. I had one yesterday who was trying to climb on my luggage rack, good job I was aware he was there and braked accordingly.

Neil

Don't I know?!!
I had 36 years riding bikes and the only time I came close to the rear of a motor was in the preliminary stages of an overtake...
But, bikes aren't the only tailgaters...

Cheers,

Graham, the 'rider' in question was not behind me long enough to be considered on my tail, but as we came into a village I was braking moderately for the 30mph limit and I don't think he had that in his plans! He gained on me rather quickly and took avoiding action whilst sharing an 'inpolite gesture'. He explained himself in equally forceful terms shortly afterwards as we both pulled up at a pelican crossing. In truth it seems that the brake light switch isn't fully functional on the Mog, and as an ex-biker I can see both points of view...

The pressure line switch is unreliable. Later Mogs have a mechanical switch on the pedal.
It's a simple enough job to fit a microswitch and relay if you have the earlier set up.
http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/31869/Traditional_Cars_Indicators_Br#Post31869

Many thanks for the info. Will have a look tomorrow. No problems today..braking late and hard!! Watching out for tailgaters though, 2 or 3 or 4 wheel type.

Same trouble with the '65. It's a light car and does not require that much pedal effort to stop for normal driving. I recently added a industrial limit switch (micro-switch in a metal housing) down on the brake master cylinder rod near the pedal. It is wired in parallel with the original hydraulic switch and has a roller on the end of its' sensor arm that rides up on the yoke when the pedal is depressed. Now I can activate the brake lights even with no braking effort which is effective for the more timid of the tailgating clan. But more to the point, I have brake lights for every brake application.