Replace emergency brake light in a '71 F250

[fijidad]

There is a dash light with a chrome bezel on the left end of the dash, just above the emergency brake release handle. For the life of me, I can't figure out how to remove the old bulb. There is a spring on the under-dash side that holds the bezel to the dash, but I can't see how to get the bulb out. Any thoughts? Dan

[Canonman67]

Push in the receptacle and turn. The entire thing comes out then you change the bulb.

[fijidad]

Push in the receptacle and turn. The entire thing comes out then you change the bulb.

That worked....I just couldn't get my hand up in there to grab and twist it. I ended up removing the instrument cluster to gain access, but was going to do that anyway to paint it and replace the clear lens in front of the gauges. Now just have to trouble shoot to find out why the ammeter and the oil pressure gauge have not been working all this time. But...it is an adventure!

[fijidad]

Push in the receptacle and turn. The entire thing comes out then you change the bulb.

That worked....I just couldn't get my hand up in there to grab and twist it. I ended up removing the instrument cluster to gain access, but was going to do that anyway to paint it and replace the clear lens in front of the gauges. Now just have to trouble shoot to find out why the ammeter and the oil pressure gauge have not been working all this time. But...it is an adventure!

Got the light to work...but now it won't turn off. I thought it would once the emergency brake was released. I'll have to check to see what triggers the light and try to put that back in working order.

[Canonman67]

Got the light to work...but now it won't turn off. I thought it would once the emergency brake was released. I'll have to check to see what triggers the light and try to put that back in working order.

The light is an indicator for a pressure imbalance in the brake system not an E brake indicator. I'm sorry I didn't mention it before but I thought you knew. http://www.fordification.com/tech/wirin ... master.jpg Wire numbers 977 and 977a are the ones you're looking for. I know there is a thread from someone who has rebuilt the valve if I find it I'll post the link or maybe someone who reads this will have it.

[fijidad]

Got the light to work...but now it won't turn off. I thought it would once the emergency brake was released. I'll have to check to see what triggers the light and try to put that back in working order.

The light is an indicator for a pressure imbalance in the brake system not an E brake indicator. I'm sorry I didn't mention it before but I thought you knew. http://www.fordification.com/tech/wirin ... master.jpg Wire numbers 977 and 977a are the ones you're looking for. I know there is a thread from someone who has rebuilt the valve if I find it I'll post the link or maybe someone who reads this will have it.

VERY interesting....I was completely ignorant of it's purpose then. Please do send that link along about rebuilding the valve if you find it.

BTW, where would that brake valve be located on the truck? Dan

[Canonman67]

You can see it here mounted in the frame with the brake lines runing to it. The white plastic in the middle is where the wires run to.

[Canonman67]

This isn't the thread but it has a couple of diagrams that might help. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =5&t=79624

[fijidad]

This isn't the thread but it has a couple of diagrams that might help. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =5&t=79624

Thanks. LOTS of good information there. Dan

[Busboy]

Just because the light is on doesn't mean that it needs to be "rebuilt". It usually just needs to be reset or re-centered. This is done by reducing the pressure in one half of the system by opening a bleeder screw while someone holds pressure on the pedal.

[Busboy]

Just because the light is on doesn't mean that it needs to be "rebuilt". It usually just needs to be reset or re-centered. This is done by reducing the pressure in one half of the system by opening a bleeder screw while someone holds pressure on the pedal.

[Diveboss]

Yes, as busboy said, you probably just need to reset it. There are threads here on how to do that by bleeding either a front brake or rear brake.

[fijidad]

Just because the light is on doesn't mean that it needs to be "rebuilt". It usually just needs to be reset or re-centered. This is done by reducing the pressure in one half of the system by opening a bleeder screw while someone holds pressure on the pedal.

Thanks busboy...I'll give it a try. Dan

[66f250cs]

IF you decide to rebuild your differential pressure switch, you can get the two square cross section O rings and copper washer from;
Muscle Car Research LLC, Box 247, Burke, VA 22009-0247. Phone #571 262 1612. Roughly 8 bucks for the rebuild kit minus shipping.
I rebuilt a junkyard unit and swapped it for my original when I overhauled my brakes. I tried to get my original unit to reset but it was stucker than stuck. I also made a piston center device to hold piston neutral position when I put everything back together.

[fijidad]

Just because the light is on doesn't mean that it needs to be "rebuilt". It usually just needs to be reset or re-centered. This is done by reducing the pressure in one half of the system by opening a bleeder screw while someone holds pressure on the pedal.

The solution was that the electric switch was bad, so I bought that at C&G Early Ford Parts here in Escondido, then bled one cylinder....and now not only does it brake better, but the light comes on when I turn the ignition to "on" and then it goes off off when the engine starts. Just like it should. Thanks for the tips and help. Dan