Ever Leave Your Parking Brake On??...Well, I fixed Mine So I Won't Anymore... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69sixpackbee · 12-05-2002, 12:39 PM

I made a simple modification to my "brake failure" warning lamp circuit in my '72 so that it will let me know when I leave my damn parking brake engaged!..Gettin' old is a drag

..I forget too many things. Well, what I did was get a simple roller lever "Micro" switch and install it to the framework of the parking brake pedal assy' so that the roller makes contact to the pedal arm when the brake is applied. I wired one wire (COM contact) to one of the two attaching screws that secures the switch to the framework itself for a good ground connection and the other wire (NC normally closed contact) with about a 7 inch piece of wire and attach that to the tan wire (the one coming from the switch on the proportioning valve below the master cylinder) going to the dash connector that is accessable from right out of the loom coming out of the bulkhead connector on the firewall. Attach that wire with a "Scotchlok" crimp on splice connector and, Viola! my warning light now illuminates when the pedal is depressed and still retains the original intended function as a brake failure indicator when driving.
I don't know why the bowtie boys had'nt thought about this. There are many vehicles made even before 1972 that had a brake light when the parking brake was applied. Even when the government mandated the dual master cylinder for safety and incorporated the "warning" light they still had a parking brake "on" light as well. What is nice about this mod is that it wont affect the original operation of the failure switch because my parking brake switch is wired in "parrallel" meaning that it is "tapped into" the existing circuit instead of it going through the parking brake switch so even if my new switch should fail the original one still works.
Now I have one less thing I need to remember. It is kinda like having my wife inside the instrument cluster and when she "flashes" on telling me to pull the damn handle before I set off on my way!
This mod cost all of about 5 bucks and ten minutes of your time.

Long Knight · 12-05-2002, 12:48 PM

Sounds like a good plan 6 pack. Might have to do this if I ever hook up my parking break. LOL

**1971Stepside** · 12-05-2002, 12:53 PM

so I would never leave the ebrake on as well......

Nice little stainless cap from Lowes fixed it right up.

SCOTI · 12-05-2002, 01:20 PM

I've thought about doing something similar w/my 68. It's not so much that I forget to release the e-brake, the problem is that when it's released, I sometime don't release it all the way & then don't realize it until I park again. I would need a normally open switch though since mine is the 'pull handle' that mounts under the dash.

Longhorn Man · 12-06-2002, 01:26 AM

Interesting...both my '70 had the light that came on with the parking brake...(the 69 never had a working parking brake since I have owned it)
I thought they were all like this.

toms68cst · 12-06-2002, 09:21 AM

I saw the funniest thing last night. We were behind an old Taurus and the streets were a little icy. The driver had left the emergency brake on and when she pulled away from the stop light the rear wheels stayed locked up. She drove about 3 blocks, the rear end fishtailing back and forth before she finally pulled over. I was suprised she make it as far as she did without loosing control. It was funny as hell.

bobs409 · 12-06-2002, 10:05 AM

I often get behind someone that's driving with the brake on. Burning brakes stink!!!

As for the emergency brake, I would never disconnect it or have it inoperable. My emergency brake saved my 72 Chevelle one time when the lines blew coming up to a traffic light. Even though it has a split master cylinder, the brakes were useless! I quickly pulled the release handle and pressed the emergency brake which did stop the car. (just)

This is why they call it an emergency brake I guess. You guys without one are living dangerously. Plus in my state (PA) it wouldn't pass inspection without one.

Something to think about....

**1971Stepside** · 12-06-2002, 10:45 AM

I understand the concern about not having one, but my truck will not be a daily driver. I have never used an emergency brake in any of my daily drivers except for the few occasions on the boat ramp.

bigvinnie · 12-06-2002, 04:22 PM

you'll find that you'll need it when you least expect it... it saved my bacon on two occasions that would have resulted in serious damage and personal injury if I didn't have it..

jhow66 · 12-06-2002, 05:01 PM

Did my 71 the same way only used a stoplight switch.

crazy longhorn · 12-06-2002, 05:10 PM

i have a parking brick......here in the rust belt, A lot of use were taught to never use the parking brake on an old car/truck. I have always carried a brick to chock the tire on a stick vehicle, & dont sweat it on an auto trans(a little "hills", but it works)

Longhorn Man · 12-07-2002, 02:07 AM

Yup, in the rust belt you either use the parking brake all the time...or never.

lofly'a · 12-07-2002, 02:42 AM

i've never used a parking brake (pretty flat in my part of the state) on a regular basis, until i got my s-dime cuz it's the first manual trans, i've ever owned. i had a 71 trans am for 15 years and never used the e-brake, and when i sold it the guy was checking to see if evrything worked, applied the e-brake, and the whole cable system locked up. 2 cans of wd-400 and a lot of cussing later and he was driving off happy.

12-05-2002, 12:39 PM	#1
69sixpackbee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Sabinal, Texas Posts: 1,706	Ever Leave Your Parking Brake On??...Well, I fixed Mine So I Won't Anymore... I made a simple modification to my "brake failure" warning lamp circuit in my '72 so that it will let me know when I leave my damn parking brake engaged!..Gettin' old is a drag ..I forget too many things. Well, what I did was get a simple roller lever "Micro" switch and install it to the framework of the parking brake pedal assy' so that the roller makes contact to the pedal arm when the brake is applied. I wired one wire (COM contact) to one of the two attaching screws that secures the switch to the framework itself for a good ground connection and the other wire (NC normally closed contact) with about a 7 inch piece of wire and attach that to the tan wire (the one coming from the switch on the proportioning valve below the master cylinder) going to the dash connector that is accessable from right out of the loom coming out of the bulkhead connector on the firewall. Attach that wire with a "Scotchlok" crimp on splice connector and, Viola! my warning light now illuminates when the pedal is depressed and still retains the original intended function as a brake failure indicator when driving. I don't know why the bowtie boys had'nt thought about this. There are many vehicles made even before 1972 that had a brake light when the parking brake was applied. Even when the government mandated the dual master cylinder for safety and incorporated the "warning" light they still had a parking brake "on" light as well. What is nice about this mod is that it wont affect the original operation of the failure switch because my parking brake switch is wired in "parrallel" meaning that it is "tapped into" the existing circuit instead of it going through the parking brake switch so even if my new switch should fail the original one still works. Now I have one less thing I need to remember. It is kinda like having my wife inside the instrument cluster and when she "flashes" on telling me to pull the damn handle before I set off on my way! This mod cost all of about 5 bucks and ten minutes of your time.

12-05-2002, 12:48 PM	#2
Long Knight Spank 'em if you got 'em! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 628	Sounds like a good plan 6 pack. Might have to do this if I ever hook up my parking break. LOL __________________ Long Knight '71 C-20, 350ci, TH350, Edl. 1406 Carb w/elec.choke, Ignitor ignition, Viper Tires, Orange Dipstick

12-05-2002, 12:53 PM	#3
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	I fixed mine... so I would never leave the ebrake on as well...... Nice little stainless cap from Lowes fixed it right up. Attached Images __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

12-05-2002, 01:20 PM	#4
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,919	I've thought about doing something similar w/my 68. It's not so much that I forget to release the e-brake, the problem is that when it's released, I sometime don't release it all the way & then don't realize it until I park again. I would need a normally open switch though since mine is the 'pull handle' that mounts under the dash. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

12-06-2002, 09:21 AM	#6
toms68cst Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Bismarck, ND Posts: 4,277	I saw the funniest thing last night. We were behind an old Taurus and the streets were a little icy. The driver had left the emergency brake on and when she pulled away from the stop light the rear wheels stayed locked up. She drove about 3 blocks, the rear end fishtailing back and forth before she finally pulled over. I was suprised she make it as far as she did without loosing control. It was funny as hell. __________________ Unrestored 68 C-10 CST. Original 327. 4-Speed CH465. 50k or so miles. TREASURER, Drum Brake Club. Last edited by toms68cst; 12-06-2002 at 12:40 PM.

12-06-2002, 01:26 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Interesting...both my '70 had the light that came on with the parking brake...(the 69 never had a working parking brake since I have owned it) I thought they were all like this.

12-06-2002, 10:05 AM	#7
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	I often get behind someone that's driving with the brake on. Burning brakes stink!!! As for the emergency brake, I would never disconnect it or have it inoperable. My emergency brake saved my 72 Chevelle one time when the lines blew coming up to a traffic light. Even though it has a split master cylinder, the brakes were useless! I quickly pulled the release handle and pressed the emergency brake which did stop the car. (just) This is why they call it an emergency brake I guess. You guys without one are living dangerously. Plus in my state (PA) it wouldn't pass inspection without one. Something to think about.... __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

12-06-2002, 10:45 AM	#8
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	I understand the concern about not having one, but my truck will not be a daily driver. I have never used an emergency brake in any of my daily drivers except for the few occasions on the boat ramp. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

12-06-2002, 04:22 PM	#9
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	you'll find that you'll need it when you least expect it... it saved my bacon on two occasions that would have resulted in serious damage and personal injury if I didn't have it.. __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project

12-06-2002, 05:01 PM	#10
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Did my 71 the same way only used a stoplight switch. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

12-06-2002, 05:10 PM	#11
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	i have a parking brick......here in the rust belt, A lot of use were taught to never use the parking brake on an old car/truck. I have always carried a brick to chock the tire on a stick vehicle, & dont sweat it on an auto trans(a little "hills", but it works) __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

12-07-2002, 02:07 AM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Yup, in the rust belt you either use the parking brake all the time...or never.

12-07-2002, 02:42 AM	#13
lofly'a Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Alexandria, LA 71301 Posts: 1,451	i've never used a parking brake (pretty flat in my part of the state) on a regular basis, until i got my s-dime cuz it's the first manual trans, i've ever owned. i had a 71 trans am for 15 years and never used the e-brake, and when i sold it the guy was checking to see if evrything worked, applied the e-brake, and the whole cable system locked up. 2 cans of wd-400 and a lot of cussing later and he was driving off happy. __________________ -02 avalanche (daily driver) -66 gto ragtop 389/400 (garage queen, hand-me-down from dad) -72 Tribute Trans Am (6.0LS/T56 6-speed) in progress -2003 YUKON (Wife's) -71 gmc swb fleet (current project, gonna shave everything, bags, stuff w/ 20's, gen III powertrain) -48 3100 SWB - 12/31/23 LONG TERM Project



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