Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Brake light switch problem

First post so forgive the stupid question.

I've recently come out of hibernation and the brake light switch is obviously playing up. The lights only come on at the very bottom of travel. It must have been working at MOT time in October but since then ...? It's a 2001 4/4 lowline.

Anyone got any ideas? Specifically - where's the switch? I know I can always drop in at the factory but I hate being defeated.

Thanks all

Mike

On my 97 +4 it appears to be on the inner wing on the drivers side up near the radiator, just follow the brake pipe.

As they are pressure operated are you sure you don't have air in the system (the pedal would be spongy) or very little fluid?

Good luck.

Thanks John - found it! Fluid level is OK and no sponginess - in fact as sharp as anything. All I need to do now is try to work out if it is the switch. Any tips?

MikeE
It's a known problem and not just with Morgans.In the world of MG its constant and down to poor quality switch gear. The unit is as already described. Low down, offside front, just behind the towing eye and looks like a large nut with two terminals - green wires.
It will only activate with 'pressure', so bottom of travel may be OK poviding it doesn't take undue force. I've modded my Roadster to switch through a relay to reduce the current to a nominal amount through the switch. This is said to extend the life of the switch. I've got the parts to convert to a microswitch on the pedal but haven't had the time to do this yet. When I get round to it I'll post the 'how to' on here. Later (after 2005)Trad Mogs appear to have a pedal operated switch which looks quite robust.
As a youngster with a '67 Midget, I had the switch freeze - so that it needed a really hard shove to work. I freed it off by dousing alternately with boiling water from the kettle, then a jug of ice water while pumping the pedal. This might be worth a try. Otherwise you'll need a new switch. You should always test the brake lights before setting out for this reason.

Had exact same problem on my 2002 +8
Got thru 3 and they were all faulty. Brake lights there one minute, gone the next The simple pressure activation is clearly too simple.

Mike,
I think every one else covered this off.
I now use LED brake lights. I did it to be seen better, but I guess as they draw far less current they would be an alternatve to the relay.

I think in general Mogs repsond best to regular use even if the weather is poor. Letting them sit seems to bring this out in them.


John

Also had the same on my 2002 +8. There was a suggestion that there are variable pressures that the switches are set to operate at. Even after replacement the new one only came on at a hard push. Investigate lower pressure versions.


Andy

Unfortunatly this is a very common fault as you can guess by the feed back. Brake lights only activated by fairly heavy pedal pressure, so when driving they dont come on, but when checked with the car stood still they apear to be O/K. Been there, cured that, will pass on part number of switch used, sorry its at work so that will have to wait till tomorrow, hope thats o/k. Be careful if you have already purchased a switch (mini type by the way) there are two diferent thread types.

Interesting I only can test mine at rest & I guess the same applies at an MOT. I don't usually drive at night so you don't notice in the day.

Next time I drive I will try to find an observer.

The stoplight switch which we've had success with is "CI" part. which was formally "Commercial Ignition" but now parts are just branded as CI.

Anyhow. the part number is XBLS8 - Be careful getting an alternative cross-referenced part by a different manufacturer as you'll probably end up with the same problem you started with.