1966 Corvette stop light switch capacitor question

[David L.]

Is the 1966 Corvette production line stop light switch capacitor (GM # 3854624 as shown in the 1966 assembly manual UPC U69, sheet A5) the same one as originally installed in the 1965 Corvette? The 3854624 part number is the same but the drawings in the assembly manuals are different. Pictured is an original 1965 Corvette (Feb. 1965) 3854624 capacitor. It is the wax foil type, tan in color, and with the following printing on it: "MGTS", "2P47-1", ".47 MFD", "200 VDC", ??? , and "+/-10%". The two wire have 1/4" by 1 1/8" very thin soft metal connectors that match up with the stop light tabs. The drawing in the 1966 assembly manual shows a plastic type connector on the 3854624 capacitor wire instead of the thin soft metal connectors.

[John L.]

Re: 1966 Corvette stop light switch capacitor question

I came across this previous thread regarding the stop light capacitor for a 1966 and had a question on the correct hook up of the wiring. Where does this connect to? My stop lights are not working and I noticed the capacitor is not hooked up. One of the metal blade connections is inserted into a slot on the connection block at the bottom of the steering column and the other I am not sure....does it connect into one of the 2 connectors at the brake light switch. Is it to the black/orange stripe wire connector or the black/white wire connector? I have not been able to find this on the wiring diagram..
Thanks - and my apology for hijacking the thread but it was helpful to have Dave's photo.
John

[Wayne W.]

Re: 1966 Corvette stop light switch capacitor question

Installs across the two terminals, but it wont cause the lights not to work if its unplugged.

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1966 Corvette stop light switch capacitor question

John,
As wayne said, it installs in the 2 terminals (brake lite switch). It was for the click noise in the radio caused by the operation of the switch when voltage went thru it for the brake lights.
Test one side of the switch for power, if you have power plug the switch in and depress it by hand. That should give you lights . If you do not get brake lights then test the switch to see if it passes voltage thru it.
A simple test is to get a bare wire like a papper clip and make the connection at the connector to see if your wiring is good ( should lite the lights) to the lights.
You might have already did these things but I thought I would run the #s.

DOM

[John L.]

Re: 1966 Corvette stop light switch capacitor question

Thanks Dom, Thanks Wayne for the information. At this point trying to trace a short in the system, let alone a few connections that are not quite in place so I wanted to rule out the capaciter at this point if I could. So I will leave it unhooked for the time being.
Much appreciated!!
John