ignachuck

Oldsmobile switched from a hand parking brake to a foot parking brake in 1956. I have a 56 Super 88 with a warning light above the parking brake release handle. The PO cut a lot of wires, so last weekend I reconnected a yellow wire that goes to the parking brake warning light. Beauty. Works like a charm, but never goes out......Looks like the perpetual light at the church...

Doing a little research, it seems like there should be a switch (like a door light switch) that activates the warning light, but I can't find a switch, and I can't find any stray wires near the pedal, and I can't see any drill holes where a switch brace might have been attached

So, does anyone know how this brake warning light works?

Thanks,
Frank

citcapp

The light bulb socket is spring loaded and acts as the switch. When the pedal is depressed the spring release the socket and lets the back side of the socket connect to ground. Sounds like the spring is missing, socket is stuck.
You access the socket by pushing and turning from the back side of the light

ignachuck

Thanks very much!! All the parts are there and I've had it all apart, but after 58 years, the Super 88 has a lot of dust in it so I'll take it apart again and give it all a good cleaning. Thanks again.

a58strod

Sounds interesting. Do you have a picture?

ignachuck

Stumped. I'm either missing some parts or I'm just plain stupid, because I cannot make this light go out. All it does is fit into a hole above the e-brake release **** and it stays lit. There is no switch or bracket in the area that could push or pull that light to make it go off. And yes, the e-brake itself does work. Can anybody with a 56 look at their e-brake and tell me what turns this light off? Thanks, Frank

hialeah56

Here's the switch it should have two wires coming out of it, one power coming in the other goes to the light bulb itself. Ground or negative come from metal frame no wire.

hialeah56

here's another pic of one I sold to someone on here (ignore glove box one)

ignachuck

Thank you hialeah56!! I found the switch. That's the toughest spot under the dash for a 65 year old to get to! Once I did some tracing, I found the yellow wire that goes from the switch to the bulb. Another fine example of a previous owner using hedge clippers for his electrical handiwork... He cut the yellow wire and tried to light up his aftermarket gauges. I wonder if he ever figured out that the lights would only work when the e-brake was on? Anyhow, all is well now and thanks again.

hialeah56

No problem glad l could help

ignachuck

Forgot to mention- I've decided to keep the gauges- except for the amp. I've learned from many CO threads about the dangers of the amp gauge. Another reason why I access this site several times a day. I learn something new and valuable every day.