68 corvette brake switch capacitor?

[Terry F.]

Hi again. Anyone know when in production they started to use the capacitor between the two leads of the brake switch. My car is 68/May built and it does not have one. Does not look like it ever had one. Any opinion on this and is there a source for this capacitor? Was it for radio interfearance? Was it to prolong the life of the switch? Thanks in advance, Terry

[Jack H.]

Re: 68 corvette brake switch capacitor?

I think you'll find this cap called out in the radio option section of your AIM book. It's use goes WAY back to/through the mid-year cars. Purpose was to prevent instaneous switching transients from broadcasting into the radio ('click noise when you hit the brakes). I don't think cars without radio had them. Do you have a factory radio?

As to where you'll find one, those who deal in parting out Corvettes should be able to fix you up as well as Corvette catalog houses who deal in used original parts (e.g. Paragon's Vintage section). But, before you go there, look up the PN and check to see if it's still available from Chevy....

[Terry F.]

Re: 68 corvette brake switch capacitor?

Thanks for the responce. It is such a huge capacitor, it looks like the type of stuff you would find in an old radio or something. I found one but it is missing the bracket on it that held it to the switch. Like I said though, my car didn't seem to have one. Possibly the switch was replaced. I am still wondering if it was added later in production or something. All for now, Terry

[Jim T.]

Re: 68 corvette brake switch capacitor?

My original owner 68 still has the capacitor. It connects into the white wire coming from the brake light switch using a connecter which is white plastic that attaches to the white wire a few inches from the switch. This huge capacitor has a big job since four stop lights function when the brakes are used.

[Jim T.]

Re: 68 corvette brake switch capacitor?

Terry I had to get up under the dash of my 70 and noticed that the capacitor connected to the brake light switch white wire appears to be the same size as the capacitor on my 68. Only difference is that the 70's capacitor is not mounted in a bracket.

[Terry F.]

Re: 68 corvette brake switch capacitor?

Jim, thank you for taking the time to do that. I will try to find one of those guys. I have one but it is broken. Wire is pulled out and bracket is broken. Best regards, Terry