Can the 63 emergency brake switch be rebuilt

[Chester C.]

Mine sometimes work and sometimes not. I think all it needs is the contacts cleaned but in order to do that it has to be taken apart. On top of the switch cylinder, the metal is crimped. What happens when I uncramp the metal. Do parts fly everywhere. What's been your experience

[Harry S.]

Re: Can the 63 emergency brake switch be rebuilt

Mine sometimes work and sometimes not. I think all it needs is the contacts cleaned but in order to do that it has to be taken apart. On top of the switch cylinder, the metal is crimped. What happens when I uncramp the metal. Do parts fly everywhere. What's been your experience

That switch is one of the worst designs ever. I'm sure you have already figured out how it works without taking it apart. The internals are rather straight forward, but there is plastic in there. If the plastic breaks you are DOA.

I've successfully repaired one. The second one is now in the garbage as the plastic fell apart.

Parts will not fly everywhere, there is one small spring. Just work slowly and you should be fine.

The parts houses have discontinued the repro switched. All that is left is NOS and good used parts. All of which will be $150.00 plus.

Cheers

[Timothy B.]

Re: Can the 63 emergency brake switch be rebuilt

I have never seen NOS switch for the 1963 emergency brake, even used parts seem to be hard to come by.

[Chester C.]

Re: Can the 63 emergency brake switch be rebuilt

They are still making the C1 switches. Has anyone tried one of those. It looks like the only difference between the C1 and C2 is the electrical connection.

[Douglas C.]

Re: Can the 63 emergency brake switch be rebuilt

Looks like these guys sell a replacement - not correct, but probably functional.

https://corvetteparts.com/item/switch-parking-brake-warning-lamp-replacement-1963-1963

[Erich C.]

Re: Can the 63 emergency brake switch be rebuilt

I'm in the process of rebuilding the parking brake switch from my '62. I suspect the '62 and '63 switches are similar internally. They are different in the way the wires connect. I don't have a '63 switch to compare and confirm they are similar internally. I posted a photo of the internal parts of the '62 switch. After bending back the retention tabs, the insides of the switch slide out as an assy. The plastic barrel part splits in two. I had to make a new plunger since mine was bent and dented. I also had to make a new retainer/ rivet. I didn't want to spend $25 to 30 dollars on a rivet die that would hardly get used. The HF tool was $5. I removed the die half from the pliers and made a handle for it. It will be used to peen over the retainer/ rivet.

[Chester C.]

Re: Can the 63 emergency brake switch be rebuilt

I'm in the process of rebuilding the parking brake switch from my '62. I suspect the '62 and '63 switches are similar internally. They are different in the way the wires connect. I don't have a '63 switch to compare and confirm they are similar internally. I posted a photo of the internal parts of the '62 switch. After bending back the retention tabs, the insides of the switch slide out as an assy. The plastic barrel part splits in two. I had to make a new plunger since mine was bent and dented. I also had to make a new retainer/ rivet. I didn't want to spend $25 to 30 dollars on a rivet die that would hardly get used. The HF tool was $5. I removed the die half from the pliers and made a handle for it. It will be used to peen over the retainer/ rivet.

Thanks for the response

[Gerald C.]

Re: Can the 63 emergency brake switch be rebuilt

Okay, Here's a picture of my functioning switch with the brass tab broken off by some genius earlier on. Is there a way to remove the switch itself from the bracket so that I can try to fabricate the brass arm that disarms the switch when the brake handle is disengaged.

Thoughts???Parking Brake Switch.jpg

[Richard M.]

Re: Can the 63 emergency brake switch be rebuilt

Jerry, I think the old brass piece simply wore out over the years. C1 switches are similar.

Another option.....

Get a piece of brass sheet from a local hobby or hardware store. Cut a small piece the same with as the missing piece, but a bit longer. Silver solder the new piece to the original piece. Bend it over the button to the correct position. You can also add a dab of grease to the button so it doesn't wear the new piece.

Here is a C1 switch I repaired using the above process. The flat brass piece was broken off and missing. I made a new piece and also a reinforcement piece(curved) to hold the joint where it curved over. Silver soldered it and worked fine.

......Rich

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