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Brake light switch

Tiny
WOODRUM.A
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 GMC C1500
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 197,000 MILES
How do I change my brake light switch on my 1996 GMC 1500 series truck?
Friday, August 5th, 2011 AT 12:04 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
The switch is located at the top of your brake pedal. You pretty much just have to unclip the old one and put the new one on. You need to make sure it is adjusted so the brake lights are only on when the pedal is pressed.

Here is a guide and some diagrams (below)

Electrical connector into switch.
Switch by snapping it onto pushrod.
Retainer onto brake pedal pin. Use 11mm (7/16 inch) socket to push new clip on pin.
Negative battery cable.
Enable SIR.

Check out the diagrams (Below) Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed. Use AC Delco parts
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Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 AT 4:09 PM
Tiny
GWH
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
  • 1996 GMC C1500
My truck is a Sierra. I would like to get a detailed replacement instructions for replacing the brake light switch on this truck. And possibly a diagram?

Thanks,
GWH
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Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 AT 4:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove retainer from brake pedal pin, remove switch bt unsnapping from push rod,remove electrical connector.reverse to install.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/1639_secureimgcontent_2.jpg

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Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 AT 4:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GWH
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Would removing the lower half of the dash and remove the two bolts that support the steering column give me better access to the switch?

Thanks,
GWH
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Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 AT 4:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
It might, if you do that be careful of the small cable for the shift indicator, if you pull too hard it will break the indicator
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Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 AT 4:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GWH
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
I removed the steering column. It opened up the area at the brake light switch a lot. It was not hard at all. It is better than laying on your back with your head in the dash for an hour fumbling with the switch. Once the column was removed, it was a snap. I have come to find out that these model of trucks with this type of switch may quit working the brake lights and the driver not know it! I did not know until my wife was following me one day. I do not know how long it had been out.
Thanks for your help. I will get to the feedback ASAP.

GWH
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Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 AT 4:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
You are welcome, just happy your brake lights work again.
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Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 AT 4:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAMDENMARTY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 GMC C1500
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Electrical problem
1998 GMC C1500 V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic 200000 miles

changed switch now truck want go in gear has a safty apply brake the put in gear now it want do that
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Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 AT 4:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
The park lock solenoid is actuated by the brake light switch. Are the brake lights coming on?
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Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 AT 4:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIMB12
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 GMC C1500
I have a problem with an intermittent connection on the wiring going to a switch attached to the top of the brake pedal. I can see the wires and switch, and barely touch them, but can't get access. If I move the wires, the brakes lights come on and off. The steering wheel column blocks access from under the dash and there is a steel frame to support the column that blocks access from the sides and above. Looking along the lower front of the dash, there is a tube that appears like the dash might pivot open to give access, but I can't find how the dash is secured. I've removed all visible screws, removed the instrument panel, but can't find anything holding the dash. Any help would be a lifesaver.
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Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
There should be a plastic kick below the dash held on by just a few clips? There is a signal retainer clip holding the switch on check out the diagrams below.

Anyway here's the "book" version:

STOPLAMP SWITCH Removal & Installation Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove retainer from brake pedal pin. Remove switch by unsnapping from pushrod. Remove electrical connector from switch. To install, reverse removal procedure. See Fig. 18 .


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_Stop_1.jpg

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Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIMB12
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes, that's wonderful, but you didn't answer my question. I can see the switch and the cable along with the clip that holds it together. If I strain, I can touch it with 1 or 2 fingers. Is there any way to really get access to it? It's enclosed on the top and sides by the support for the steering column, and blocked from the bottom by the steering column. Removing the instrument panel turned out to be a bust. I was hoping it would give me access to the top, but there's just more plastic from the dash sealing the whole back of the instrument panel.
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Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
I see, I have uses a long standard screwdriver to remove the clip and then use a long pair of needle nose pliers to install it. It take a bit but you can get it done lay on your back to make it easier.
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Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIMB12
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks! That worked
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Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE91769
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 GMC C1500
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
How to change stop light switch on 96 gmc truck
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Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It's attached to the arm of the pedal. There should be a clip holding it in place. Disconnect the electical, pull the clip and replace the switch. You may have to remove a panel to reach it.
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Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJDEESE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 GMC C1500
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
How do you test the brake switch to determine if its good
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Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
INTERNETMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 700 POSTS
The orange wire at the brake switch is hot all the time. The white wire goes hot when you step on the brake. Use a voltage tester on the circuits. Some switches may have an adjustment, not sure about yours, something to check. If you have voltage going to the switch and nothing from the switch, when brake pedal is depressed, adjustment if any is ok, I suspect the switch.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/512072_gmc_brake_switch_1.jpg

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Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)

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