Parking brake and cruise control switch
#1
Parking brake and cruise control switch
I've got a '90 convertible and little experience with cars. My parking brake switch is broken and looks like it got crushed. I bought an OEM replacement microswitch but the mounting place on the handle mechanism isn't immediately obvious to me, and the diagrams I've found don't show the whole mechanical and electrical assembly together. I also can't figure out what part of the mechanism would engage the switch, so I'm annoyed. I might be able to figure it out if I remove the driver's seat and really dig in there, but I haven't tried that yet.
A previous owner shorted the wires to the parking brake switch so that the top can be lowered and raised. This causes the parking brake light on the dash to stay on, and the lamp test light comes on every time I apply the brakes. I believe that is normal with a shorted parking brake microswitch.
I've also got a broken cruise control, which means there is a switch on the ski slope console just sitting there doing nothing.
So, I'm considering running those parking brake switch wires to the cruise control switch so that the emergency brake circuit will be normally off. In theory, I wouldn't have dash lights on or flashing at me and I could just flip the cruise control switch on when I want to raise and lower the convertible top, then flip it back off.
My question is, does anyone know if the cruise control switch could handle the current that runs through the parking brake switch? I assume it could, but I don't want to burn my car down over something as half-assed and lazy as this.
Ideally I'd have both systems fixed properly, and I don't want to offend anyone that takes pride in the work they put into these cars. But my cat just isn't in good enough shape yet for the cruise control and parking brake to be priorities. Thanks in advance.
A previous owner shorted the wires to the parking brake switch so that the top can be lowered and raised. This causes the parking brake light on the dash to stay on, and the lamp test light comes on every time I apply the brakes. I believe that is normal with a shorted parking brake microswitch.
I've also got a broken cruise control, which means there is a switch on the ski slope console just sitting there doing nothing.
So, I'm considering running those parking brake switch wires to the cruise control switch so that the emergency brake circuit will be normally off. In theory, I wouldn't have dash lights on or flashing at me and I could just flip the cruise control switch on when I want to raise and lower the convertible top, then flip it back off.
My question is, does anyone know if the cruise control switch could handle the current that runs through the parking brake switch? I assume it could, but I don't want to burn my car down over something as half-assed and lazy as this.
Ideally I'd have both systems fixed properly, and I don't want to offend anyone that takes pride in the work they put into these cars. But my cat just isn't in good enough shape yet for the cruise control and parking brake to be priorities. Thanks in advance.
#2
#3
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Pacific Northwest USA
Posts: 24,920
Received 10,979 Likes
on
7,211 Posts
So, I'm considering running those parking brake switch wires to the cruise control switch so that the emergency brake circuit will be normally off. In theory, I wouldn't have dash lights on or flashing at me and I could just flip the cruise control switch on when I want to raise and lower the convertible top, then flip it back off.
My question is, does anyone know if the cruise control switch could handle the current that runs through the parking brake switch? I assume it could, but I don't want to burn my car down over something as half-assed and lazy as this.
.
My question is, does anyone know if the cruise control switch could handle the current that runs through the parking brake switch? I assume it could, but I don't want to burn my car down over something as half-assed and lazy as this.
.
But, in all honesty, I don't think you're being lazy. To the contrary, I think you're making more work for yourself ! Just remove the seat, replace the switch, and be done with it. In the end I think you'll be saving time and effort.
Just my two cents
Cheers
DD
#4
#5
#6
OK, ok.
i've been duly shamed into doing this the right way. turns out i have the wrong microswitch, the one i bought only has 2 terminals. it's probably for a non-convertible that doesn't have the droptop interlock.
anyway, i decided to take the entire handbrake apart to clean and lubricate it and now of course i can't get it back together. i've got most of it right, but i don't know what to do with the spring with two different-length arms.
i'm pretty sure its purpose is to bring the handle back down. all i could find on the internet is an exploded diagram for a RHD car, which isn't helpful enough for me. i see an indentation on the chrome handle that looks like the short spring arm should hook into, but i can't figure out where the long slightly bent spring arm is supposed to go. does it go under the rear mounting bolt?
anyway, i decided to take the entire handbrake apart to clean and lubricate it and now of course i can't get it back together. i've got most of it right, but i don't know what to do with the spring with two different-length arms.
i'm pretty sure its purpose is to bring the handle back down. all i could find on the internet is an exploded diagram for a RHD car, which isn't helpful enough for me. i see an indentation on the chrome handle that looks like the short spring arm should hook into, but i can't figure out where the long slightly bent spring arm is supposed to go. does it go under the rear mounting bolt?
#7
The following 2 users liked this post by Cameronb:
Doug (04-21-2018),
leo_denmark (04-22-2018)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
o2manyfish
XK8 / XKR ( X100 )
15
08-28-2023 04:48 AM
PopokI09XF
XF and XFR ( X250 )
8
01-20-2016 06:40 AM
MikeAlford
XK8 / XKR ( X100 )
0
10-10-2015 07:26 AM
angela46563
S-Type / S type R Supercharged V8 ( X200 )
19
07-23-2014 06:47 AM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)