How do I remove the brake light switch?

[ts71281]

Ok I've confirmed that my brake light problem is in the brake light switch in my truck. After managing to fit my 6' 2" 290 body inbetween the seat and the pedals, I'm looking up at the brake light switch and it doesn't look like it's going to be a fun one to take out. Can someone give me some tips or tools that might be used to get this thing out? By the way, I already have the instrument cluster out while I'm repairing my defroster hoses. Should I be getting at the switch coming in from the drivers side kick panel or should I try accessing it coming from the passenger side of the steering column? Any feedback, tips, tool ideas are welcome. Thanks,


Joe

[texnician01]

you should just be able to take off the cheap stamped nut and it should come right out of the hole. I think that is correct it's been a while since I crawled under there. the nut is something like 11/16 or something but it's just a little piece of sheetmetal. I'd go look but it's a little hard in baghdad Iraq!! lol..

Hope that helped

Nathan

[Tx Firefighter]

texnician is right on the money. It's not hardy a nut, it's a thin stamped sheetemtal piece that masquerades as a real nut.

Kind of a faux nut!

[sactoC10]

Yup, flimsy little thing...and I've had more success from the passenger side for some reason...laying down with my legs out the passenger side...but I have thin fingers. May need to find someone with little fingers to work it loose.

[ts71281]

Yeah, I can see it just fine. But I can't seem to break it loose with my fingers and I can't seem to find a wrench that I can get in there to just break it loose. The brake pedal linkage and clutch pedal linkage are in the way from both sides. I tried taking the brake pedal linkage out of the brake pedal but then the stupid steering column is in the way and doesn't allow me to take the bolt out that holds the linkage to the pedal. Hmmmm. If anyone has anymore ideas send 'em this way. I'll take anything


Joe

[Tx Firefighter]

Is the switch bad?

Just grab ahold of it with some big old channel locks or pliers and rip it out. Those little flimsy nuts won't even try to resist. The new switch should come with new nuts.

I put mine in finger tight when reinstalling it.

[bouncytruck]

There is an access hole in the top of the pedal assembly on the drivers side of the brake light switch. I just pulled mine the other day. I was able to get a wrench on the cheap nut and hold the switch with my other hand. Just enought room to move the wrench enought to break it loose. You can then turn it buy had.

FYI- I'm 6'3" and 240, so I understand your pain! It wasn't easy, putting it back in was much easier. I left the lower nut in place so I didn't have to do a bunch of adjusting when I put it back in.