C1 brake light intermittent

[Dave Christensen]

I have a problem with the brake lights on my 56. If the turn signal switch is not EXACTLY in the center off position, one of the brake lights will not light up when I apply the brakes. I understand how/why the ciruit works - the turn signal swtich turns off the brake light on one side or the other so that it can flash as a directional signal.

Is this a problem with my switch being worn, or is this just another nice feature on many/all of these old cars? In other words, is there a good chance that replacing the switch will fix this problem?

thanks
Dave Christensen

[Art B.]

Re: C1 brake light intermittent

Dave:
This is a common problem with C1's. There are ways to correct the problem, but what I did was to clean the mechanism and make sure the canceling feature works freely. I think this is just one of those design flaws on the older Corvettes.
Art Bruns

[John H.]

Re: C1 brake light intermittent

Dave -

Two things can cause this common problem - a sticky switch (the little slider), and sticky cancelling mechanism - the latter is more frequently the problem. Pull the steering wheel and thoroughly clean the cancelling mechanism, lubricate lightly everything that moves (wires, posts, springs, cams), make sure the flat spring is in place and the plastic pins it works against at the ends aren't worn (hobby shop brass tubing will restore their diameter), make sure the actuating pin/slider on the switch itself moves freely, and it should self-center properly again. Make sure you mark the steering wheel hub and shaft before you pull the wheel so it goes back on exactly the way it came off.

[Mike M.]

Re: C1 brake light intermittent

if your turn signal mechanism is missing any pieces, 53 and 54 chevy pass cars used the same hub and inards. mike

[Joe Maulsby]

Re: C1 brake light intermittent

My 1960 has that problem; even after cleaning everything and greasing the appropriate parts. Most of the time it returns to the center position, but occasionally it won't. I have learned by looking at the turn signal handle whether I need to center it by hand (or someone tells me my brake light is out!

[Steve Westphal]

Re: C1 brake light intermittent

Dave, I chased flickering lights on my '56 for a while until I found out that I had a short in my headlight switch!!!