[TR] Brake light woes

[Brian Induni]

Not sure I follow the logic of the Dot 5 fluid - I've used this in at least
a dozen cars I've restored and have never had an issue because of it. I
have, however, learned that the mechanical pressure switch is a finicky
bugger, and have also learned that if I fill the pressure inlet with fluid,
it will push the air out that is trapped in there. Remember, if you have
air in your brake lines, the brakes don't work so well. Same goes for the
switch. You need to "bleed" the air out of it before installing it. I'm not
claiming that the switch works exactly like a mech switch, but pretty
close. If there is enough pressure to engage the brakes, the lights should
come on.

Of course, this is assuming the switch is new, which is an absolute must!

Brian



>
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2014 10:04:33 -0500
> From: Randy and Valerie DeRuiter <deruiterville at hotmail.com>
> To: darrell floyd <tr250driver at gmail.com>, Triumph List
>         <triumphs at autox.team.net>
> Subject: Re: [TR] Brake light woes
> Message-ID: <BAY178-W892CA00506CA558898B84B92B0 at phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Darrell-
>
> My guess is you are running Dot5 in your system?  That is what I think
> created
> the same problem in my 3A - brakes would only light if I stomped on them,
> sensitivity was lost.  My solution was switching to a mechanical switch
> mounted under the dash.
>
> I think you can pull that switch quickly and not need a complete rebleed,
> but
> of course plan on bleeding just in case.  But if you do use Dot5, expect
> this
> to be a recurring issue based on what I've seen.
>
> Randy
>
> > Date: Sun, 8 Jun 2014 11:13:33 -0400
> > From: tr250driver at gmail.com
> > To: triumphs at autox.team.net
> > Subject: [TR] Brake light woes
> >
> > Guys,
> > Here I am all ready to go to the TRA National meeting and a light check
> on
> > the TR3B reveals no brake lights at all.  Everything else is normal.  The
> > TR4 is a little better, brake lights come on if you stomp on the pedal.
>  No
> > I do not have any spare switches.
> >  If I can get a couple of those by Tuesday do any of you know if I will
> > need to bleed the brakes after I install them?  Any other ideas on what
> to
> > check??
> > Thanks,
> > Darrell